Freedom House, a first step in that new beginning, assists hundreds of refugees every year; hundreds more receive help with immigration related issues.
Early in 1983, horrified by reports of torture and murder in El Salvador, and aware of the arrival of survivors in the Detroit area, a number of Detroiters began to meet to find a way to meet the needs of these refugees, including helping them to find asylum.
Canadians of the Windsor, Ontario vicinity, with the same concerns, began to meet with the American group, and the Detroit/Windsor Refugee Coalition (D/WRC) was formed. The assistance of the Canadians was especially valuable, because for a time, asylum in Canada was more readily available.
A place for an office, along with temporary housing for the refugees, was chosen: St. Peter's Episcopal Church, in Corktown. The first coordinator was chosen: The Rev. Glendon Heath, a priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan. Funds were raised by the Coalition to finance their work; these were augmented by Bishop Coleman McGehee of that diocese.
Refugees who could not secure asylum in the U.S.A were taken to the Canadian Customs and Immigration Station on the Windsor side of the Detroit/Windsor tunnel. Someone on the Windsor side would have offered housing for the refugee, so that, on approval by Canadian Immigration, there would be a place to stay. If asylum was denied, the refugee was returned to the U.S.A., and legal representation was offered, pro bono, by U.S. attorneys.
The reputation of the D/WRC spread rapidly throughout the U.S.A. and the number of applicants increased greatly.
Assisting Fr. Heath in 1984 was Sr. Kit Concannon, who helped so well that when he moved to a diocesan appointment, she was named Coordinator, doing the work with great dedication and zeal.
In a short time, the housing at St. Peter's Church became inadequate, and the D/WRC accepted the offer of Ste. Anne of its unused convent, where to date, refugees are housed and ministered to, with some residing at other sites.
Operation of the Coalition was made possible by grants from several Christian denominations, as well as from Catholic religious, such as Adrian Dominicans. One of our strongest coordinators was Janet Ray. Tireless, positive, dedicated, and well-organized, she gave all she had for several years. During her incumbency our name was changed to Freedom House.
We are equally pleased with our recent leadership, Sr. Gloria Rivera, a resourceful, conscientious, and creative person.
Over the years, our Board of Directors has had many concerned members, including Jewish and Islamic groups, along with those from several Christian bodies.
We now draw near to our 22nd anniversary, having served people from many countries around the world.
