Volunteers needed to help with incoming wave of Cuban immigrants

As many as 4,000 Cuban immigrants are expected to pass through El Paso within the next twelve days. This, after they are fleeing their country from economic hardship.

The immigrants are arriving in Juarez, Mexico and walking across the border into El Paso. Now, the Catholic diocese is looking for donations and dependable volunteers.

Saturday evening the Houchen Center may not look too full, but organizers tell ABC-7 a bus load of immigrants left to their next destination.

“Yes it’s been really busy,” said Jesus Regalado, a Houchen Center volunteer.

Regalado says other volunteers have been accommodating immigrants daily and some have been working double shifts.

“Usually on the second shift which would be from noon to about seven or eight, we do have plenty of people,” Regalado said.

Regalado tells ABC-7 that volunteers have been helping out after work or school but there is other times of the day when they need the help.

“We do really lack a lot of people in the morning shift, and overnight,” Regalado said. “Overnight, we usually have three to four people that tend to, sometimes, over a hundred people that we have here at the center.”

The Catholic Diocese of El Paso says dependable volunteers are needed. The temporary staffers will have to put in some work.

“Cleaning, cleaning restrooms, maintaining the area and just talking to people guiding them,” Regalado said. “We direct them to bus stations; a few that have tickets for the airport, or to go get their money from Western Union.”

Regalado tells ABC-7 that despite the hard work, volunteering to help those that have given up everything to come to the United States is rewarding.

“Especially when you hear the stories,” regalado said. “It is very gratifying because that’s when you really understand the magnitude of what you are doing.”

The Diocese says immigrants are also in need of basic necessities like hygiene items.
They can also use some help in having sheets because many of them are sleeping on cots. They’re also looking at things like dry foods pasta, rice and beans.

For more information on volunteering or drop-offs, you can call the Annunciation House at 915-545-4509.