Donate to Resource Center Matamoros!

Resource Center Matamoros (RCM) was founded in summer of 2019 when USCIS policy harshly returned asylum seekers to Matamoros for the duration of their asylum application process under a policy called MPP (Migrant Protection Protocol). Since then, the Asylum Seeker Network of Support has created numerous efforts to provide direct aid to refugees. RCM is one of them. RCM provides a safe space next to the refugee encampment in Matamoros, Tamaulipas where asylums seekers can access resources, legal assistance and social support services like specialized medical care and much more. We also provide camp management and infrastructure services. We currently have an Access to Healthcare program that provides transportation, medical case management services, and 100% covered medical expenses for refugees in Matamoros. We currently employ a staff of asylum seekers that receive volunteer stipend equivalent to above living wages in Mexico to execute about 80% of the work. We have a camp sanitation crew that cleans and sanitizes portapotties, shower installations, and manages the water delivery to the camp, as well as maintains the distribution of toilet paper and hygiene supplies to the camp residents. We serve as a camp management with a focus on camp infrastructure, storm water drainage, WASH guidelines, fair and equitable implementation of programs for asylum seekers. We provide materials and supplies for camp clean up and maintenance organized by the leaders of the camp democratically chosen by camp residents. Our building spaces house the access to legal representation and assistance program. We train asylum seekers to work with attorneys and assist refugees with their case documents. We also help connect refugees with psychological evaluations via whatsapp and zoom video conferencing. Aside from all these obvious programs, we provide all levels of social support to refugees in need of hotel accommodations for high risk and medically vulnerable people, arrange food distribution to refugees living outside of the camp, help people with bus fare to other parts of Mexico, and the list goes on and on. We have recently added a Temporary Housing a Case Management Program that has helped more than 15 families move out of the camp, and assisted towards self sufficiency, by way of job search and placement and help with obtaining formal documents to get hired. Housing and food and basic necessities were provided for as well as accommodations such as furniture, stoves and refrigerators were also provided.