Key Takeaways
- Barrio Power, a collective of immigrant women, organized an angel tree program to provide Christmas gifts to over 130 immigrant families affected by ICE raids in Southern California and beyond.
- The program, which began as a small collective, grew to receive nearly $15,000 in donations and over 900 gifts from community members, many of whom are immigrants themselves.
- The women leading the effort have faced their own struggles and risks as immigrants, but are motivated by a desire to help others in similar situations and build a network of mutual aid and support.
- The program’s success demonstrates the power of community and mutual aid in the face of adversity, and highlights the importance of supporting and uplifting marginalized communities.
Introduction to Barrio Power
The story of Barrio Power, a collective of immigrant women, is one of resilience, determination, and community. On a rainy day in Maywood, dozens of boxes filled with clothes, shoes, and toys lay scattered across the pavement, destined for over 50 Southern California homes whose families have been caught in the growing immigration enforcement crackdown. The organizers of this effort are a group of immigrant women who have endured their own struggles and face similar risks as the people they are helping. They have come together to form Barrio Power, a mutual aid organization that seeks to provide support and resources to immigrant families in need.
The Women Behind Barrio Power
One of the leaders of Barrio Power, Cruz, grew up working in the fields with her family in Oaxaca, Mexico, and spoke only her indigenous language, Chinanteco, as a child. Determined to learn Spanish, she would sneak out to the local school and eventually began teaching others in her town. When she arrived in the U.S. decades later, she would tape dollar bills to the wall to memorize the country’s currency, which landed her a cashier job. This same drive and determination is what motivates her to work with Barrio Power, helping other immigrant families who are struggling to make ends meet.
The Angel Tree Program
Barrio Power’s angel tree program was launched in response to the growing number of immigrant families who were struggling to afford Christmas gifts due to the impact of ICE raids. The program began as a small collective, but quickly grew to receive nearly $15,000 in donations and over 900 gifts from community members. The women leading the effort, including Rosa Vazquez, worked tirelessly to coordinate the program, interviewing families and creating wish lists for each member. They also set up an Instagram account and Amazon registry, where people could donate gifts and funds to support the program.
The Community Response
The response from the community was overwhelming, with many people donating gifts and funds to support the program. One donor, Azusena Favela, bought the organization’s entire Walmart registry, while another donor purchased nearly all 350 items on the Amazon registry. The generosity of these donors, and many others, helped to make the program a success and brought joy to the faces of the immigrant families who received the gifts.
Delivering the Gifts
On Christmas Eve, Vazquez and other volunteers delivered gifts to over 20 families in Orange County, and planned to deliver gifts to another 20 farmworker families in Bakersfield on Sunday. The women also coordinated deliveries for 50 out-of-state families, including in Chicago and North Carolina. As they delivered the gifts, they were met with tears of joy and gratitude from the families, who were touched by the kindness and generosity of strangers.
The Impact of Barrio Power
The success of Barrio Power’s angel tree program demonstrates the power of community and mutual aid in the face of adversity. The program shows that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope and always a way to make a difference. The women leading the effort are an inspiration to us all, and their dedication to helping others is a reminder of the importance of supporting and uplifting marginalized communities. As Cruz said, "We have to come out of the shadows because we’ve done nothing wrong. And if we have to leave, we are going to leave with pride." Barrio Power is a testament to the strength and resilience of immigrant communities, and a reminder that we are all in this together.