San Antonio Respite Center Opens To Provide Welcome To Asylum Seekers

On Tuesday, July 27, 2021, a respite center opened its doors in San Antonio as a day-time resource for people seeking asylum. The respite center evolved from the work of Eagle Pass Frontera Ministries and the Methodist ministry, Mission: Border Hope in Eagle Pass, Texas.

The Southwestern Texas Synod and The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas appointed a leadership committee, tentatively named the Frontera Collective, to oversee this project and plans to expand services for this vulnerable population through support of this ministry.

Located outside of San Antonio’s downtown hub, the respite center will welcome individuals and families referred by ministry partners along the border who continue to experience high numbers of people requiring shelter, after being approved and dropped off by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The center was established in a matter of days to respond to the emergency of increasing transit arrivals from the border into San Antonio. It would not have been possible without the faithful partnership of the care network including the Interfaith Welcome Coalition (IWC), San Antonio Food Bank, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the City of San Antonio’s Department of Human Services, Catholic Charities – San Antonio, San Antonio Mennonite Church, and others. The Rev. Sue Briner, Bishop of Southwestern Texas Synod and The Rt. Rev. David M. Reed, Episcopal Bishop of West Texas, blessed the Respite Center on Thursday, July 29.

The center will provide day-time welcoming services for individuals and families including meals, assistance with travel arrangements, personal hygiene care, and transportation within Bexar County to the airport or bus station. At this time, it cannot provide overnight accommodations and is coordinating with local partners to provide overnight respite for travelers unable to secure same-day departure from San Antonio. The Episcopal diocese added the center to its existing local transfer bus system already in place.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) provided initial start-up funding for this project. LIRS will be expanding its work in San Antonio in support of people seeking asylum who arrive from the Southern border.