Welcoming the Stranger

Trinity is putting its faith into practice by providing support for New York City’s asylum seeker community, from offering food and clothing to new arrivals to providing temporary housing and legal aid. 

Since the spring of 2022, more than 233,000 asylum seekers have come to New York City. Their arrival has been the subject of a constant barrage of news and noise, and meeting the needs of this growing community may seem an overwhelming — if not impossible — task. But it’s not. In fact, it’s the very work we’re here to do. 

“Jesus instructed his disciples to feed the hungry and welcome the stranger, and that is also what we must do,” said the Rev. Phillip A. Jackson, Trinity’s rector. 

Since 2022, Trinity has supported asylum seekers and their families both by funding community partners and by developing direct programming in our own spaces — a free pantry stocked with fresh food and other essentials, legal support, and classroom education provided by Trinity with direct input from the affected migrant communities.  

In 2024, Trinity’s Compassion programs supplied over 2.5 million healthy meals to those in need through our Compassion Meals program and the Compassion Market satellite network of food pantries we support across the city. With the help of our Compassion Space program, we provided migrant families with over 5,000 packs of diapers and 2,500 winter coats. And we directly distributed clothing, hygiene kits, and other necessities to community-based nonprofits, schools, and hotels serving asylum seekers in our Lower Manhattan neighborhood. 

Meeting the Moment  

New York’s continuing struggle to house, feed, and process an influx of asylum seekers is evident in the skyrocketing need for Trinity’s direct support.  

We’ve also developed free programs to equip our new neighbors for life in the city, including English-language classes, workforce development courses, legal workshops, and more. We translated materials for our youth after-school programs into many languages, so everyone can join. We’re developing new ways to serve younger children and their parents — arts and crafts sessions, for example.

We’re also making sure our neighbors feel at home in our faith community. Our K–5 Sunday School programs now have dual-language registration and our 2024 Children’s Summer Program was fully Spanish/English bilingual. Under the leadership of the Rev. Jorge Ortiz, priest and associate director of Community Engagement, we’ve helped asylum seekers observe milestones in their lives — hosting weddings, baptisms, and a quinceañera service. During the holidays, Father Jorge and a team of volunteers from our parish purchased and packed nearly 600 Christmas gifts for children of asylum-seeking families. Father Jorge also organized two Christmas dinners, giving families the chance to relax over a festive meal. 

“Being part of our church means being part of our family. And this is just what families do — we share meals together, we celebrate life’s special moments together, we’re there for each other in good times and bad,” Father Jorge said. “Our greatest hope is that everyone who walks through our doors, no matter where they come from or what language they speak, knows they are beloved members of God’s family.” 

In addition to direct programming at Trinity Church and Trinity Commons, we have awarded grants to nearly two dozen nonprofits providing services and shelter to asylum seekers across our city. Trinity grantees Women in Need (WIN), Providence House, and Coalition for the Homeless are ensuring our neighbors are fed and have full MetroCards. The Mayor’s Fund to Advance NYC, New York Disaster Interfaith Services (NYDIS), and the Interfaith Center of New York are working with faith-based organizations and houses of worship to provide emergency shelter. The Girl Scout Council of Greater New York has expanded Troop 6000, its program for homeless youth, to include young asylum seekers. And African Communities Together is providing gift cards and smartphones, as well as advocating for critical access to language services and space for prayer. 

“Trinity is always seeking out the most effective and impactful ways to do good for our neighbors, our community, and our city, and our charitable giving reflects that commitment,” said Father Phil. “The Bible is very clear on our responsibility to serve the strangers who come to our shores, and it is a privilege to continue that work.”

This article has been adapted from our 2024 Annual Report. To read the original version, please click here.