We believe that prayer has a positive impact on the lives of others and opens our hearts and minds to the needs of people around us. To help guide our prayers EMBRACE prepares a monthly prayer sheet, themed on different aspects of migration and welcome. If you would like to join the prayer group and receive the prayer sheet by email each month or would like to know more about the prayer group, please contact Jenna at jenna@embraceni.org.
Prayer sheets can be accessed here:
February 2012 Prayer Letter
January 2012 Prayer Letter
For monthly prayer letters prior to 2012 please click on the link below
Continue reading ‘EMBRACE Prayer Group’
Migrant destitution
Migrant workers who lose their jobs, or whose contracts have ended, may end up on the streets, as most have no immediate right to full welfare benefits, may have been living in accommodation tied to their job, and have probably underestimated the local cost of living. With no means of support they can quickly become destitute.
See also BBC news item from Dec 2008 here
A practical response
In 2006, EMBRACE working alongside several Belfast churches and community organisations who work with homeless people, set up the On the Street project. This initiative raises awareness of migrant destitution and offers a positive response through the donation and distribution of clothing, bedding, toiletries and foodstuffs to those on the street and in hostels, both local and migrant people.
Homelessness charities have observed that with early support it is relatively easy to get destitute foreign nationals back into jobs before they slip into a cycle of severe social problems. So, in some cases money has provided a couple of nights in a hostel to make it easier for people to get back into work quickly.
Get involved
If you or your church would like to collect and donate goods to this project please contact us for more information including the latest list of items required.
Information Sheets
Summary Sheets providing information on migrant destitution and the On the Street project are available to view and download below, There is also a collection poster for churches and groups involved in the project.
on the street flier INFORMATION 2011
on the streets flier HOW YOU CAN HELP 2011
on the street flier COLLECTION 2011
Money raised by this fund has been used in a number of ways. Examples include assisting destitute foreign nationals who have needed to return home urgently, and sending on the belongings of people who have been removed to their own country following detention at the end of their asylum cases. Others have been helped off the streets by the payment of a few nights hostel fees where no other funds were available.
See EMBRACE Funding for more information or contact us for further details.
A summary of how the fund was used in the year 08 – 09 can be viewed here.
We have a number of criteria which must be met before funds are released. If you would like information on these please contact our office. In every case we do not work directly with individuals but by referral from reputable groups such as homelessness or refugee charities.
EMBRACE seeks to stand alongside minority ethnic people, immigrants and those seeking asylum in matters of human rights; this may involve anti-racism training and taking part in events which raise awareness of issues relating to the welfare and rights of immigrant people. It may also mean communicating their situation and needs, and highlighting concerns in areas such as housing, education, language support, health and detention to the appropriate decision makers in local and national government.
EMBRACE receives no ongoing core funding and values the support of members and interested parties as it seeks to equip the church to understand and respond to the situation for minority ethnic people, and also as it acts in practical ways to meet particular requests for assistance.
You can be involved in supporting our work through giving in the following ways:
EMERGENCY FUND
The Emergency Fund is used to provide vital emergency assistance to destitute migrant workers and people seeking asylum where no other means of support, either statutory or charitable is available. Assistance may be given to provide hostel accommodation and food as a short-term stop gap whilst a longer term solution is established. It may be provided to allow someone to return to their home country when there is no reason to stay and no other means of returning. All support given is subject to meeting a set of criteria and delivered through agencies such as NASS and NICEM. To learn more about migrant worker destitution, see our migrant worker pages. If you would like to give to this fund please contact us.
MEMBERSHIP
Individuals and groups may become members of EMBRACE by registering and making an annual payment (£10 for an individual and £20 for a group). Members receive a quarterly news sheet, the EMBRACE annual update booklet and information on EMBRACE events. In addition members can be involved in working groups which gather and disseminate information, organise and support events, and focus on specific projects. For more information please contact us.
Download an EMBRACE membership form here. Please complete the gift aid section if you are a UK tax-payer.
If you would like to contribute regularly, please contact our office to receive a standing order form.
DONATIONS
We are indebted to those who have supported the work of EMBRACE through their donations. As a voluntary organisation without core funding, the preparation of many materials and the general administration of the office could not be done without the support received in this way. If you would like to make a donation to EMBRACE please contact us.
We believe that prayer has a positive impact on the lives of others and opens our hearts and minds to the needs of people around us. To help guide our prayers EMBRACE prepares a monthly prayer sheet, themed on different aspects of migration and welcome. If you would like to join the prayer group and receive the prayer sheet by email each month or would like to know more about the prayer group, please contact Jenna at jenna@embraceni.org.