Asylum Sessions
Walking Together in Faith: Congregational Models to Support Asylum Seekers
During this session, participants will learn about two models of offering congregational support for asylum seekers, from the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s CAPAS program and from The Episcopal Church and their Neighbor to Neighbor program. Speakers will share inspiration and stories, as well as the challenging truths about the nature of this work. We will also discuss how some faith groups are responding to asylum seeker needs, ranging from general accompaniment to full sponsorship and support over many months.
Following this session, participants will:
Understand the similarities and differences between accompaniment and sponsorship
Understand what accompaniment is and how faith communities are supporting individuals as they go through the lengthy process of seeking asylum
Presenters
Jessica Sapalio, CAPAS Coordinator, UUSC
Jessica Sapalio is the Coordinator of the UUSC’s Congregational Accompaniment Program for Asylum Seekers, supporting congregations around the country as they provide sponsorship and work in solidarity with asylum seekers. She is the co-founder of the Journey to Asylum accompaniment program at the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists congregation and also serves as the congregation’s Social Justice Chair. She is also an advocate for racial justice and criminal legal system reform and is a founding member of the WJCC Coalition for Community Justice and runs the Williamsburg/James City County Court Watch program. Prior to moving to Williamsburg, VA, she lived in Australia and Northern Virginia and worked as a Vice President at GMMB, a communications and marketing firm for social causes, and for the American Red Cross National Headquarters International Services Department. She holds degrees in Anthropology and Religious Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and enjoys travel (pre-COVID), hiking with her family, and volunteering on local archeological digs.
Heather Vickery, Coordinator for Congregational Activism, UUSC
Heather Vickery is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with UU congregations, State Action Networks, past UU College of Social Justice (UUCSJ) program participants and regional staff in order to expand engagement in UUSC and UUCSJ’s work. As the Coordinator for Congregational Activism, she manages the workshop offerings and group visits to the UUSC/UUCSJ office and assists with communications for the Activism and Justice Education Team. Heather is an active member of the Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network and a dedicated dog-mom to her rescue puppy Nova.
Fr. Christopher McNabb, Program Manager, Neighbor to Neighbor program, Episcopal Migration Ministries
Fr. Chris McNabb is an Episcopal Priest, serving as the Program Manager for Neighbor to Neighbor program of Episcopal Migration Ministries. He graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with a Masters in Divinity and earned his Diploma in Anglican Studies from The General Theological Seminary. Prior to his current role, Chris has worked with a variety of organizations and faith communities to support and protect the rights of immigrant communities.
Watch Session
Click the play arrow in the lower lefthand corner of the video player, below, to watch the session.