A ministry of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Huntington, the Righteous Christians – 2.0 Project builds on years of advocacy and solidarity by deepening support for immigrant families in a time of urgent need. Funded through Episcopal Ministries of Long Island (EMLI), this initiative is rooted in St. John’s Racial Reconciliation and Social Justice Ministry and carried out in partnership with the Huntington Rapid Response Network (HRRN) and the newly formed Huntington Action Network Against Hate (HANAH).
The project has a three-fold mission:
Know Your Rights Education: Offering multilingual cards, community workshops, and legal clinics that equip undocumented immigrants with the knowledge they need to protect themselves when confronted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Family Preparedness Planning: Supporting families in building emergency plans, including documentation for child guardianship and care in the event of detention, and ensuring access to notaries and legal resources.
Accompaniment to Court: Providing trained volunteers to accompany individuals to immigration court, offering emotional and community support during an often-intimidating process.
The ministry seeks to reduce fear and uncertainty among Huntington’s immigrant population by building trust, empowering families with legal awareness, and creating a visible presence of solidarity. Through collaboration with local faith communities, advocacy groups, and anti-bias task forces, the project exemplifies the Church’s call to love our neighbors and walk alongside the marginalized in times of distress.