Response for Vulnerable Populations

Given the migration crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border, SAMU First Response is operating a 24/7 program designed to address the acute needs of asylum seekers and migrants passing through the D.C. and Maryland area. SAMU works with local government and partner organizations to ensure newcomers have access to comprehensive services, including food, clothing, hygiene facilities, transportation, medical/legal support, and short-term respite.

Since June 2022, SAMU has provided a safe and dignified reception to more than 18,442 asylum seekers. We draw on the experience of our sister organization, SAMU Foundation in Spain, which has more than 42 years history of successfully responding to humanitarian emergencies and delivering assistance to communities experiencing complex crises. This comprehensive support includes medical, social, and psychological care to reinstate a sense of security and dignity in those affected. Beyond a warm welcome, our guests are offered the care they deserve. That begins with what is often their first hot meal, essential toiletries and access to hygienic facilities, assistance in navigating resources, and help with onward travel plans or connection to local agencies for long-term case management services. In the shifting immigration landscape, SAMU is a beacon of light providing immediate humanitarian aid while restoring dignity to immigrants arriving in the United States.

What have we accomplished?

SAMU has aided over 18,442 asylum seekers from the southern border, offering trauma-informed care for their diverse physical, emotional, and social needs. Employing a three – pronged strategy — intake, shelter, and service coordination — SAMU ensures agile and culturally competent support. A concise yet thorough intake process facilitates data collection, informing resource allocation based on identified trends and needs.

Reception and Respite 

Centers of Unaccompanied Minors

Our locations

The SMILE 3.0 Program was implemented between September 16 and October 11, 2024, across three schools in Puerto Rico. The formal conclusion of the program took place on October 15, 2024, marking the end of the activities and the intervention team’s involvement. The primary objective was to enhance the emotional and psychoeducational well-being of students aged 9 to 14, who were affected by natural disasters, poverty, and educational challenges. Through psychoeducational interventions, group dynamics, and games, the program impacted 120 students across three schools: Angélica Gómez Betancourt, Luis Muñoz Marín, and Juanita Ramírez González.

Key Results:

Emotional Impact:

  • An average increase of 30.6% in participants’ self-esteem.
  • A 62.5% improvement in overall self-concept, with a significant impact observed at Luis Muñoz Marín School (73.7% improvement).
  • Increased willingness among students to reflect on their emotions by the end of the program.

Identified Issues:

  • Academic delays of up to three years due to factors such as natural disasters and socio-economic conditions.
  • High prevalence of school absenteeism and low student motivation.
  • Limited access to psychoeducational resources and stigmatization of psychological support.

Program Strengths:

  • Success in promoting social skills, self-awareness, and emotional regulation.
  • Strong support from teaching staff and good student acceptance.

Recommendations and Lessons Learned:

  • The continuity of such interventions is crucial to consolidating positive results.
  • Strengthening access to psychoeducational resources and addressing the social stigma surrounding psychological support is essential.
  • More detailed planning of meetings and logistical management can optimize future projects.

The SMILE Program emphasizes the importance of comprehensive approaches to addressing the well-being of students in vulnerable contexts and highlights the need for its expansion and sustainability.

SAMU´s Respite Center in Washington, D.C., is a secure five-story building, that ensures safety and security 24/7. Beyond offering basic amenities and sleeping arrangements, the center caters to all ages with play zones, volleyball courts, and computer labs. SAMU´s holistic programming focuses on emotional well-being and independence through training, workshops, and personalized case management. This comprehensive approach not only provides a safe and comfortable refuge for asylum seekers, but also facilitates a seamless transition to a new and hopeful chapter in their lives.

SAMU´s Respite Center in Montgomery County, Maryland, plays a crucial role in providing essential short-term accommodations and support for newcomers, particularly individuals and families passing through the region. These services are especially vital for those who cannot immediately proceed to their final destinations and those whose final destinations are still being determined.

The Maryland Office for Refugees and Asylees (MORA) under the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) and Family Investment Administration (FIA) through SAMU First response have successfully implemented a comprehensive support program for migrants and asylum seekers to provide essential services, promoting self-sufficiency, and fostering community integration.

The program was designed to address the immediate and long term needs of migrants and asylum seekers, ensuring their protection, stability, and integration into Maryland communities. Key services include emergency reception and respite services, housing support, legal assistance, education, and skill building, psycho-social support, and outreach and community engagement.

The MORA comprehensive support program developed by SFR  has a significant positive impact by providing essential services, promoting self-sufficiency, and fostering community integration, the program has improved the lives of thousands of individuals and contributed to stronger, more inclusive communities. Continued support and collaboration will be vital to sustaining and expanding these positive outcomes in the future.

      

   

SAMU First Response has expanded its Migrant Assistance Program to Nogales, Arizona, with the opening of a new 24/7 Welcome Center on September 1, 2024. This facility supports asylum seekers arriving directly at the U.S.-Mexico border. Since its opening, the Nogales Welcome Center has served 3,588 individuals, provided transportation from 113 buses, and distributed 3,477 meals to migrants from Venezuela, Mexico, Nicaragua, Cuba, Haiti, and various African nations.

Expanded Support and Services in Nogales:

Transportation: Free shuttle services to shelters in Tucson, Arizona.

Travel Assistance: Financial support for travel arrangements, helping migrants continue to their destinations.

Rest and Refreshments: Spaces for rest, meals, clean clothing, personal hygiene products, and communication amenities.

As SAMU’s Nogales Welcome Center continues to grow, it relies on community partnerships to sustain its mission of providing vital services at the border.

SAMU First Response mobilized to provide targeted, time-bound support to Casa Alitas, an NGO aiding migrants crossing the border into Arizona. The mission focused on enhancing the initial reception and stabilization of migrants by efficiently managing intake processes and essential services. In Nogales, AZ, we welcomed and assisted 400-500 migrants, ensuring a streamlined process upon their arrival. Our efforts included assessing individual needs, coordinating essential supplies distribution, and providing vital information and guidance to facilitate a smooth transition.

Additionally, we prioritized the psychological well-being of minors, offering workshops and engaging activities to address their emotional and mental health needs. Furthermore, we worked closely with local partner organizations to ensure organized departures by coordinating access to local transportation services for migrants as they continued their journey. Through these initiatives, SAMU First Response strived to provide comprehensive support to migrants and contribute to a more compassionate and efficient reception system in Arizona.