East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant's legal, social, and advocacy programs address the many challenges that immigrants face. Together, we help to create a pathway to citizenship and more compassionate immigration policies.
Through our immigrant-led coalitions and storytelling projects, participants share their stories and receive training on rights, policies, public speaking, and organizing. They lead campaigns on issues such as the TPS campaign for permanent residency and Food4All.
Our programs are holistic in that we provide not only direct legal services, but also warm referrals for mental health and other support services, leadership development, community organizing, cash assistance, arts and healing workshops, and English as a Second Language (ESL) and citizenship classes. Our teams collaborate to find solutions to the issues that clients encounter, from legal issues to medical, employment, housing, mental health, family reunification, and education.
EBSC’s work is grounded in listening deeply to undocumented immigrants, responding to their immediate needs, and mobilizing to speak truth to power. Through one-on-one conversations in community spaces, participatory radio programs, and arts-based workshops, our Organizing Team builds the agency and skills of immigrant members. We participate in community forums, rallies, vigils, press conferences, and legislative visits to advance affirmative policies for immigrant communities.
Through our Amplifying Sanctuary Voices (ASV) project, we offer opportunities to learn about the experiences of undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers. We train about 125 volunteers yearly who connect with our refugee communities. Amplifying Sanctuary Voices (ASV) is a collaborative, arts-based social justice storytelling project housed at EBSC which centers the narratives of low-income immigrants and asylum seekers. ASV promotes artistic expression and leadership in immigrant communities and creates educational exhibits and events to bring authentic migration stories to the broader public. Through immersive events, we aim to deepen empathy and inspire action toward equity and justice.
