HIAS Pennsylvania is honored to be part of the “Welcome Wagon” recognized in Philadelphia magazine's list of 150 Most Influential Philadelphians. The Welcome Wagon consists of a coalition of individuals and organizations who have worked together to welcome more than 2,000 migrants and asylum seekers bussed from Texas to Philadelphia.
This work would not be possible without the dedication and meticulous coordination of everyone involved in the coalition. Amy Eusebio and Caroline Cruz, from the Philadelphia Office of Immigrant Affairs, lead the coalition and ensure that all organizations involved are notified when a bus from Texas is on its way. Casa de Venezuela, CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILA INC, the City of Philadelphia – Department of Public Health, and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) also play pivotal roles in the coalition. La Puerta Abierta, an organization which provides pro bono mental health services, also deserves special recognition for stepping up to help when we were notified that an entire bus full of people had been kidnapped and assaulted on their journey to the United States and were severely traumatized.
We are so proud of the work that we have been able to accomplish and blessed to be part of a great city that truly lives its motto "the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection". Thank you to Philadelphia Magazine for lifting up this important work.
The full list of 150 Most Influential Philadelphians can be found here: https://lnkd.in/d6UGMGHe