dane sanctuary coalition
On July 7, 2017, we announced the formation of the Dane Sanctuary Coalition. Formed in partnership with Voces de la Frontera and Centro Hispano of Madison, Dane Sanctuary organizes congregations and organizations to provide physical sanctuary to our immigrant friends and neighbors who are at risk for deportation. We do this as part of the national New Sanctuary Movement.
The Dane Sanctuary Coalition has been created in response to immoral immigration policies that threaten families, instill fear in our communities, and violate the most basic ethical standards all our faith traditions teach – that we are all created in the image of God, endowed with inherent worth and dignity, and deserving of a life free of violence and deprivation.
The mission of the Dane Sanctuary Coalition states:
Based on our shared faith commitments to social justice, we will assist vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities. We will do this, under the leadership of Voces de la Frontera and Centro Hispano, by providing and supporting physical sanctuary as needed, and by acting as a conduit for information, education, and trainings on other immigrant justice actions.
Congregations currently offering sanctuary include First Unitarian Society and Congregation Shaarei Shamayim; Madison Christian Community – Advent Lutheran Church and Community of Hope United Church of Christ; Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ . and Madison Mennonite Church. Supporting congregations include First Congregational United Church of Christ; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, First Baptist Church, James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Lake Edge Lutheran Church, Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society, Temple Beth El, Presbyterian House - UW Madison, Beth Israel Center, Christ Presbyterian Church, Lake Edge United Church of Christ, St. Francis House, The Crossing, Inc., Midvale Lutheran Church and Santa Maria ELCA. Many more congregations are in the process of deciding what their place in the Coalition will be.
Additionally, the following organizations have joined our Coalition in support of our immigrant and refugee communities: Worker Justice Wisconsin, Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, Family Farm Defenders, Teaching Assistants' Association, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - Madison, the Community Immigration Law Center, and Supporting Our Immigrant Neighbors.
Thirty-six times, the Bible commands us to love the stranger in our midst. But these are not strangers among us. They are our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers. They sit beside us in class. They own businesses in our neighborhoods. They are part of the fabric of our community and we are richer for their presence among us.
As people of faith, we strive to bring to reality our vision of a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect, where their contributions to our society are valued, and where all can live together in freedom and safety. This vision impels us to stand together in unity with our immigrant and refugee friends and neighbors, to offer our support and help, and to provide Sanctuary to those in need. We invite you to join us in this work!
For more information, and to arrange for speakers to come to your congregation, email us at danesanctuary@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook
Read our Guidelines (English) Directrices (Spanish)
Download our brochure
Click here* for more resources on Sanctuary
*any linkages from this web site to the web site of another party does not constitute or imply the endorsement or recommendation of any particular items on that website.
UPCOMING EVENTS: HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 2020
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, 2020, the Dane Sanctuary Coalition is offering three events during the month of October:
Oct. 8 at 7:00pm - Big Read: The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez - an evening with the author, Aaron Bobrow-Strain. Hear about his process in researching and writing the book, have a chance to ask questions, and hear about how current immigration policy has changed since the book came out a year ago. Register here to receive the Zoom link or watch the live stream on the Dane Sanctuary Coalition Facebook page.
Oct. 15 at 7:00pm - New Developments in Immigration Policy, Aissa Olivarez, Managing Attorney at the Community Immigration Law Center will update us on current immigration policy, the situation at the border, and what is happening in detention centers right here in Wisconsin. Co-sponsored by WFVJ, the Dane Sanctuary Coalition, and Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ. Click here for the registration form to get the Zoom link, or watch live on the Dane Sanctuary FB page.
Oct. 21 at 7:00pm - Getting To Know Our Immigration Partners - Meet the leaders of immigrant rights and immigrant services organizations throughout Dane County and learn how you can get involved in supporting this important work. Register here for the Zoom link or watch live on the Dane Sanctuary Facebook page.
See below for statements from faith leaders and Voces de la Frontera and Centro Hispano at the launch of Dane Sanctuary. Watch the video of the event here.
Keeping Families Together: On June 30, 2018, the Dane Sanctuary Coalition sponsored a press conference protesting the 'zero-tolerance' policy of the Trump Administration. Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, Worker Justice Wisconsin, and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin co-sponsored the press conference. Mario Garcia Sierra of Voces de la Frontera acted as MC. Speakers included Rev. Tina Lang of First United Methodist Church, Rev. Karen Armina of James Reeb Unitarian Congregation, Rev. Susan Schneider of Trinity Lutheran Church, Dr. Sadat Abiri,Becky Schigiel of Worker Justice Wisconsin, Dr. Erica Serlin - psychologist; Fabiola Hamdan,and Sister Maureen McDonnell. You can see photos on our Facebook page. You can download copies of some of the speeches at the bottom of this page.
Fill out the form below to sign up for volunteer opportunities!
Download the Spanish version here and send it to danesanctuary@gmail.com
The Dane Sanctuary Coalition has been created in response to immoral immigration policies that threaten families, instill fear in our communities, and violate the most basic ethical standards all our faith traditions teach – that we are all created in the image of God, endowed with inherent worth and dignity, and deserving of a life free of violence and deprivation.
The mission of the Dane Sanctuary Coalition states:
Based on our shared faith commitments to social justice, we will assist vulnerable immigrant and refugee communities. We will do this, under the leadership of Voces de la Frontera and Centro Hispano, by providing and supporting physical sanctuary as needed, and by acting as a conduit for information, education, and trainings on other immigrant justice actions.
Congregations currently offering sanctuary include First Unitarian Society and Congregation Shaarei Shamayim; Madison Christian Community – Advent Lutheran Church and Community of Hope United Church of Christ; Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ . and Madison Mennonite Church. Supporting congregations include First Congregational United Church of Christ; Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ, First Baptist Church, James Reeb Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Lake Edge Lutheran Church, Prairie Unitarian Universalist Society, Temple Beth El, Presbyterian House - UW Madison, Beth Israel Center, Christ Presbyterian Church, Lake Edge United Church of Christ, St. Francis House, The Crossing, Inc., Midvale Lutheran Church and Santa Maria ELCA. Many more congregations are in the process of deciding what their place in the Coalition will be.
Additionally, the following organizations have joined our Coalition in support of our immigrant and refugee communities: Worker Justice Wisconsin, Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, Family Farm Defenders, Teaching Assistants' Association, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom - Madison, the Community Immigration Law Center, and Supporting Our Immigrant Neighbors.
Thirty-six times, the Bible commands us to love the stranger in our midst. But these are not strangers among us. They are our friends, our neighbors, our co-workers. They sit beside us in class. They own businesses in our neighborhoods. They are part of the fabric of our community and we are richer for their presence among us.
As people of faith, we strive to bring to reality our vision of a world where every person is treated with dignity and respect, where their contributions to our society are valued, and where all can live together in freedom and safety. This vision impels us to stand together in unity with our immigrant and refugee friends and neighbors, to offer our support and help, and to provide Sanctuary to those in need. We invite you to join us in this work!
For more information, and to arrange for speakers to come to your congregation, email us at danesanctuary@gmail.com
Like us on Facebook
Read our Guidelines (English) Directrices (Spanish)
Download our brochure
Click here* for more resources on Sanctuary
*any linkages from this web site to the web site of another party does not constitute or imply the endorsement or recommendation of any particular items on that website.
UPCOMING EVENTS: HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH 2020
In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, 2020, the Dane Sanctuary Coalition is offering three events during the month of October:
Oct. 8 at 7:00pm - Big Read: The Death and Life of Aida Hernandez - an evening with the author, Aaron Bobrow-Strain. Hear about his process in researching and writing the book, have a chance to ask questions, and hear about how current immigration policy has changed since the book came out a year ago. Register here to receive the Zoom link or watch the live stream on the Dane Sanctuary Coalition Facebook page.
Oct. 15 at 7:00pm - New Developments in Immigration Policy, Aissa Olivarez, Managing Attorney at the Community Immigration Law Center will update us on current immigration policy, the situation at the border, and what is happening in detention centers right here in Wisconsin. Co-sponsored by WFVJ, the Dane Sanctuary Coalition, and Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ. Click here for the registration form to get the Zoom link, or watch live on the Dane Sanctuary FB page.
Oct. 21 at 7:00pm - Getting To Know Our Immigration Partners - Meet the leaders of immigrant rights and immigrant services organizations throughout Dane County and learn how you can get involved in supporting this important work. Register here for the Zoom link or watch live on the Dane Sanctuary Facebook page.
See below for statements from faith leaders and Voces de la Frontera and Centro Hispano at the launch of Dane Sanctuary. Watch the video of the event here.
Keeping Families Together: On June 30, 2018, the Dane Sanctuary Coalition sponsored a press conference protesting the 'zero-tolerance' policy of the Trump Administration. Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, Worker Justice Wisconsin, and End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin co-sponsored the press conference. Mario Garcia Sierra of Voces de la Frontera acted as MC. Speakers included Rev. Tina Lang of First United Methodist Church, Rev. Karen Armina of James Reeb Unitarian Congregation, Rev. Susan Schneider of Trinity Lutheran Church, Dr. Sadat Abiri,Becky Schigiel of Worker Justice Wisconsin, Dr. Erica Serlin - psychologist; Fabiola Hamdan,and Sister Maureen McDonnell. You can see photos on our Facebook page. You can download copies of some of the speeches at the bottom of this page.
Fill out the form below to sign up for volunteer opportunities!
Download the Spanish version here and send it to danesanctuary@gmail.com
dane sanctuary coalition launch press conference speeches - July 2017 |
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KEEPING FAMILIES TOGETHER PRESS CONFERENCE - JUNE 30, 2018: sPEECHES

keep_families_together--rev._karen_armina.pdf | |
File Size: | 239 kb |
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keep_families_together--rev._susan_schneider.pdf | |
File Size: | 48 kb |
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keep_families_together--sr._maureen_mcdonnell.pdf | |
File Size: | 71 kb |
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keep_families_together--rev._tina_lang.pdf | |
File Size: | 40 kb |
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keep_families_together-rev._eldonna_hazen.pdf | |
File Size: | 34 kb |
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familiesbelongtogether_-_becky_schigiel.pdf | |
File Size: | 77 kb |
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keep_families_together--sadat_abiri_june_30.pdf | |
File Size: | 71 kb |
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immigration__policy_and_trauma_-shortened_version_dr._erica_serlin.pdf | |
File Size: | 75 kb |
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July 24, 2018 Press Conference for Maria Portugal and Franco Ferreyra
On July 24, 2018, Voces de la Frontera and the Dane Sanctuary Coalition held a press conference to raise awareness of the plights of Maria Portugal - a domestic abuse survivor being threatened with deportation, and Franco Ferreyra, who had been detained by ICE at a regular check-in. Read Rev. Sonja Ingebritsen's speech at the press conference here
Read about Maria's situation and sign a petition here and read about Franco and sign a petition to free him here
Read about Maria's situation and sign a petition here and read about Franco and sign a petition to free him here