Throughout southern Chester County, many local organizations are working hard to support migrant families during a vulnerable time, writes Roger Morris for The Hunt Magazine.
Chester County is home to numerous migrant workers and their families. Many find work in agriculture, particularly at mushroom farms and orchards throughout the greater Kennett Square area.
There are few statistics around the total population of migrant families throughout the county. While there were no formal reports of an increase in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests in Chester County by late summer, dozens of nonprofits, religious organizations, and community services continue to step up their services for families.
One service, Kennett Area Community Service, provides food, educational workshops, and financial stipends to help stabilize migrant families as they arrive. The KACS Food Cupboard has provided millions of pounds of food for thousands of people in the community.
The Garage Community & Youth Center also provides after-school programming and free lunches to the community.
Jay Liska, a retired pharmaceutical executive, regularly volunteers at The Garage each week. The organization provides children and teens with homework support, recreational activities, and nutritious food to set students up for future success.
Religious organizations throughout Chester County also focus on support for refugees, migrant workers, and their families. St. Michael Lutheran Church in Unionville has contributed carloads of food and baby items to KACS in partnership with other local churches.
Also nearby, the Chester County Intermediate Unit (CCIU) provides necessary supplemental educational services, including specific migrant education programs. CCIU’s summer, school day, and multilingual programming impacts may local families, continuing Chester County’s wide system of support for those who need it.
Read more about the social services working to protect migrant families throughout Chester County in The Hunt Magazine.
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