(Plain Press June 2024) It all started sitting around in a living room.

   A group of residents heard about an asylum seeker named Ansly who came to the U.S. from Haiti when a gang threatened his life and burned his motorcycle because he dared to criticize a corrupt politician. The residents decided to hold a fundraiser for Ansly’s legal expenses and raised over $11,000. That experience made clear that the community was willing to assist asylum seekers and other new immigrants with their financial needs. Recognizing the gap in services for asylum seekers, they created a new nonprofit called Americans Making Immigrants Safe (AMIS).

   The mission of AMIS is to inspire hope and contribute to the well-being of immigrants and families as they seek legal status in the United States by assisting with resources for housing, legal services, education, basic living expenses, and self-sufficiency.

Services Provided

   AMIS provides financial assistance for basic living expenses to immigrants, such as rent, utilities, food, clothing, medical expenses, legal support, children’s toys, and more. AMIS has developed many partnerships with other nonprofits and churches that help support its mission. AMIS is a volunteer-run nonprofit, so most of its funding goes directly to immigrants. Volunteers give of their time to help with activities that may not require funds, but do require time, knowledge, and compassion. They help: find safe, affordable, housing; access donated furniture; register children for school; register for free/low-cost medical/dental care; take recipients to a food pantry or ethnic shop; connect them with English as a Second Language classes; and build a relationship, offer friendship, and provide moral support.

   To learn more about AMIS, visit its website at https://amisohio.org/.