Collin A.C. Migrants Support in Oaxaca
Mission is to help feed, clothe and provide hope to migrants (men, women, children) as they travel through Oaxaca.
VOLUNTEER
Kitchen /Serving Line Assistance
If you can help migrants in Oaxaca by cooking, passing out food, clothing, etc please signup using button below to connect to our signupgenius account.
Donations Pickup Assistance
Pickup donations for Collin A.C. at OLL, private homes, other locations in Oaxaca
Website/Social Media Assistance
Help with different types of digital contents in support of Collin A.C. helping migrants in Oaxaca.
Other Forms of Assistance
Have other skills you would like to share with Collin A.C. . Please use button below to connect to our database and provide us your contact information, dates available and skills offered in support of migrants in Oaxaca.
Business/Corporate Donations
Is your business/company willing to help Collin A.C. by donating products to support migrants in Oaxaca?
Examples: Hotels for used blankets, Markets for expiring produce, Suppliers for Styrofoam plates, Etc.
Please use button below to contact us.
DONATIONS
Physical Donations: Wishlist
High demand items:
**Thermal blankets are in great demand**. Link below to buy via Amazon:
THERMAL BLANKETS:packs of 10 https://www.amazon.com.mx/dp/B00DZ1NFSK/...
Can be mailed directly to Oaxaca Lending Library:
Oaxaca Lending Library-DREW
Calle de Pino Suárez 519, Centro, 68000 Oaxaca de Juárez, Oax.
Following items are in constant demand:
1) Casual street clothing: sweats, sweaters, jackets, T-shirts, pants, shorts, under garments, rain ponchos, umbrellas, tights, socks and tennis shoes of all sizes for men, women and children.
2) Travel size toiletries, used backpacks, small towels, blankets, yoga pads, caps or hats, diapers, baby formula, wet wipes etc.
3) Food staples such as rice, lentils, black beans. Fresh vegetables and fruits, frozen meats, tuna, eggs, mayonnaise, tomato sauce. Anything healthy and filling!
4) Reusable shopping bags, gym bags, small carry on luggage, etc.... many have nothing to carry their belonging or are using trash bags.
5) Small children books and/or small toys
Physical Donations Drop Off Address.
Oaxaca Lending Library Address:
Oaxaca Lending Library-DREW Collin A.C.
Calle de Pino Suárez 519, C ENTRO
68000 Oaxaca de Juárez
Phone: +52 951 518 7077
GoFundMe Donation
Use button below for donating to Collin A.C. in support of migrants in Oaxaca.
About Us
DREW C. JOHNSON, Director
Drew had the good fortune of parents who early exposed him to other countries and cultures, including living in Spain and also in Jalisco, Mexico for over five years.
As an adult, he spent long periods traveling off the tourist routes. This gave him additional insight into other cultures, but also into systemic inequalities. It furthered his appreciation and respect for those living in developing countries.
After nineteen years in Bali, Drew found himself missing his earlier roots in Latin America. He moved to northern Colombia where his compassion and empathy moved him to address the plight of Venezuelan refugees living on the streets. Using the skills honed in Bali, he assisted families with food, clothing, medical help, housing, and even assistance with purchasing startup business equipment. At the start of the pandemic, he often received up to one hundred visitors a day at his home, where he distributed essential food packages while also supporting two soup kitchens there.
In October of 2020 Drew moved to Oaxaca to be closer to family and to fulfill his long-term desire to be back in Mexico. He sought out the local migrant center, COMI, and began assisting Elisa Gonzales and Mayra Hernández there by delivering food and clothing and sometimes working directly with migrants in their individual needs.
The closing of COMI in March forced migrants into trying to exist in the streets in all weather. Drew created a temporary camp at Jardín Morelos where he fed, clothed and watched over them for several months. As they became more dispersed, he continued his efforts to seek out, feed and clothe them and soon began a regular routine of gathering the migrants at Jardín Morelos for daily afternoon meals, and the distribution of clothing and blankets. This meant his home kitchen – over thirty minutes away from the Jardín – was constantly in use, not to mention the transportation of food and supplies to the park. The numbers would often swell to ninety migrants a day needing support. That is just a tiny fraction of the actual number of migrants on the streets of Oaxaca on any given day.
Finally, with backup from others plus the generous donations of the foreign community of Oaxaca, Drew was able to obtain a small kitchen space close to Jardín Morelos, and has already been joined by volunteer cooks both local and foreign.
Thanks to the tenacity of Drew, Elisa, Mayra, and others, Collin A.C. was recently founded. This success gives Drew the drive to further expand efforts to alleviate the struggles of migrants passing through Oaxaca.
ELISA GONZÁLEZ MORALES, Director
Elisa González Morales is an extraordinary woman who has demonstrated her dedication and passion throughout her career. Elisa graduated from the Benito Juárez Autonomous University of Oaxaca in 2018 with a degree in business administration. However, her story goes far beyond an academic degree.
It all started on July 17, 2018, when she took her first steps in the world of work as an administrative assistant at the Migrant Orientation Center of Oaxaca A.C. (COMI A.C.). There, her experience was not limited to playing a minor role within an organization. In October of the same year, Elisa was appointed coordinator of COMI.
It was at this moment that something changed in her life. For Elisa, COMI was no longer just a place of work. She discovered her true calling: to provide support to people from neighboring countries who were in difficult situations during their time in Oaxaca. In each migrant, she saw a brother or sister in need.
For four years, Elisa gave her heart and soul to this mission. However, in May 2022, after much reflection, she decided to leave COMI. Her desire to find well-being for herself and the family she had formed, as well as for the migrants to whom she had dedicated her time and effort, prompted her to make this difficult decision.
But Elisa's involvement with migrants does not end there. Three to four months after her departure from COMI, she and her colleague Mayra Hernández met with other volunteers who worked with migrants. Together they agreed that they should continue to be a source of hope. And thus COLLIN AC was born. This association, although it has faced numerous challenges in its creation, is a testament to the unwavering love that Elisa feels for her work. Her true calling was revealed when she observed the unique needs of each individual, and despite the barriers that presented themselves, Elisa always found a way to overcome them and move forward.
Elisa is not only a passionate professional, but also a lover of life. She loves running and COLLIN A.C. has become a new running track in her life. However, this time she is not running alone. Every step she takes she shares with the valuable members of COLLIN AC, in a race towards a future full of hope and solidarity.
MAYRA HERNÁNDEZ RIVERA, Administrator
Mayra Hernández Rivera is originally from San Andrés Zautla, a community in the district of Etla, Oaxaca. Currently, she has the honor of serving as administrator at the Universal Migrant Support Center COLLIN A.C. This organization was born with the fundamental purpose of providing humanitarian aid to migrants of various nationalities who cross our state.
Her connection with this cause began in 2016, when she began to collaborate with another civil association that shared the same mission. Direct and close contact with migrants encouraged her to become a human rights defender, as she witnessed the injustices they faced.
She feels a strong commitment to defending the human rights of migrants. She consider herself steadfast, empathetic, and a friend willing to face the challenges that life presents her. This center is one of the most significant challenges she has embraced.
She wants to express her gratitude to her colleagues who are part of this incredible project. Their dedication and strength are inspiring and motivate Collin A.C. to continue helping those who most need it. She also thanks life and the universe for giving her this wonderful opportunity to make a difference.