Operation Bienvenida is a ministry run by the Diocese to assist newly arrived people seeking asylum with material needs. Started in October of 2018 and run in conjunction with various community partners such as Catholic Charities of San Bernardino and Riverside, Operation Bienvenida strives to live out what it means to, as instructed in Matthew 25, “welcome the stranger.” Read Bishop Alberto Rojas’ statement on Operation Bienvenida and providing a place of welcome.
If you are interested in assisting this ministry, we have 4 ways to help:
1. Give a financial contribution to ensure that we can continue to provide this necessary assistance via our fundraising page. Please click here.
2. Please review our continually updated list of material needs and order them via any online store and have it delivered to our community partner providing temporary shelter and assistance to asylum seekers. The delivery address is: The Galilee Center, 66101 Hammond Rd., Mecca, CA 92254.
3. You can deliver the items you plan donate – again, from our continually updated list of needs – to the Galilee Center directly. We ask that you please call Galilee Center directly to arrange a drop off time. You can contact them at 760.396.9100
4. You can drop-off your donations at the Diocesan Pastoral Center at 1201 E. Highland Ave., San Bernardino, CA, 92404. We can only accept drop-offs during business hours: M-Th, 8:30am-4:30pm.
If you are interested in further information regarding this ministry, please contact the Office of Advocacy at 909.475.5351.
