As families continue to struggle to make ends meet, several local organizations have teamed up to bring financial relief for undocumented individuals.
CAUSE, Future Leaders of America and MICOP are using 805 Undocufund, a nonprofit disaster relief group, to provide stimulus checks for families in Santa Barbara and Ventura County.
According to Future Leaders of America, $2 million has already been raised from donors since the last week of March. Checks of $1,200 have been provided per household from those funds.
“When you know that the undocumented workforce is pumping money into our tax system, into unemployment funds, its only fare that they get their fair share of what is owed to them,” said Gloria Soto, a councilwoman for the city of Santa Maria.
Over the last week, one hundred families have received checks.
“The estimated need is over eight million dollars for the 805 Undocufund and we actually had to stop taking applicants when we got to seven thousand dollars to focus on getting help out to the families on the waiting list,” said Lucas Zucker, a Policy Director for CAUSE.
Other families will be able to benefit from the fund as more applications are reviewed.
“With our goal being to process hundred 50 to 200 applicants per weekly from here on out,” said Eder Gaona-Macedo, the executive director for Future Leaders of America, Inc.
According to the organizations, a majority of the families needing support worked in the hospitality industry and construction.
To learn more about 805 Undocufund, click here.
