#this is usually where I'd offer to write fic in return for donations

[cookinguptales]

Haven’t done this in a little while, but like. Folks, I’m het up. 

Emboldened by his reelection, Governor Abbott has decided to bus more asylum seekers up north and today Philly got a busload. One of them was a little girl who was so dehydrated and feverish that she was immediately hospitalized upon arrival. Another woman said that during the two-day bus ride, they were only given one small prepackaged meal.

I know that the cruelty is the point, I know that this is all political theater so his racist supporters will keep voting for him, but fuck! How do you not read a news story like this and not feel helpless?

The good news, though, is that we’re not helpless. I’m proud of my state for electing Fetterman and Shapiro, and I’m proud of my city for being a sanctuary city. I’m proud that Philly turned out to help these people and will continue to do so for as long as Abbott decides to keep being a piece of shit.

There are a lot of organizations doing good work in Philly, and a lot of ways to help. Philly’s city .gov website put out a guide on how to help the incoming asylum seekers, and along with that, here are three organizations you can give to and/or volunteer with that have vowed to help these people as they come into the city:

Nationalities Service Center Philadelphia

Provides a range of services to incoming refugees, victims of human trafficking, and unaccompanied children.

HIAS Pennsylvania

Provides legal and social services to low-income immigrant populations in PA and has for decades.

Mayor’s Welcoming Fund

A new fund set up by the mayor’s office to distribute donations to a group of smaller local nonprofits to help support and settle incoming asylum seekers.

Based on Abbott’s past behavior, there’s probably a lot more bullshit where this came from, and he’s probably going to be sending people to a lot of different cities. Obviously, my home is close to my heart and I donate to my local organizations -- and I’d love it if you did so as well -- but I also highly encourage you to look up your own local organizations dedicated to helping. 

This is a widespread problem and it’s only going to get wider, but I believe in the kindness of strangers, and I believe that there will always be people everywhere who want to help.

So please support them.