Support for people detained at SDC and their families
El Refugio’s services are always free and confidential.
Call us at 404.480.4780.
Hospitality
Our hospitality house is open on weekends to people visiting loved ones at SDC. We are located just down the street from SDC at 210 Main St. in Lumpkin. You may drop by to rest and use the restroom, or you may spend the night on Saturday. By spending the night, you may be able to visit your loved one a second time on Sunday. Please call to let us know if you plan to stop by. If you need accommodation during the week for your loved one’s court hearing, we may be able to help. Please call us at 404.480.4780.
More Services
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An El Refugio volunteer may be able to visit your loved one, if you are unable to. Volunteers offer a listening ear, empathy, and friendship during an hour-long social visit during regular visiting hours. Let us know if you would like us to add your loved one to our visitation list.
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El Refugio operates a bilingual helpline for people inside SDC. Your loved one may want to call to ask questions, report a rights violation, or just talk to someone with an empathetic ear. Please share the helpline number for people inside SDC: 229.234.9022.
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El Refugio does not have lawyers on staff, but we can refer you to legal support organizations and lawyers for hire. We can also send your loved one a packet of information on how to advocate for their release from inside SDC.
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El Refugio sends books to people inside SDC upon request. We can send your loved one up to two books, including an English textbook, a Bible, a Quran, a novel, an inspirational book, or any other type of book that will help them cope.
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El Refugio partners with Koinonia Farm to fulfill departure bag requests for people detained at SDC. If you need help delivering a bag, please contact us.
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El Refugio deposit $20 in your loved one’s commissary account to purchase food, toiletries, a phone card, or other items.
One family’s story:
My name is Lori. I stayed at El Refugio's hospitality house in 2019, along with my children, Aden and Mallory, when my husband was detained at Stewart Detention Center. I would like to share about the experience and what it means to me and my children.
What our guests say about El Refugio
“I felt at home. We had a very good stay, played games to pass the time after the visit to the detention center and before we all made dinner. My eight-year-old daughter did not want to leave and asked if we would return.”
“What a wonderful ministry serving those who are at what is likely one of the lowest points of their life. To be able to have a place to stay in order to visit with a loved one at Stewart Detention Center is a godsend. I was fortunate to be the recipient of such kindness while my husband was detained.”
“If I could, I would give this place infinity stars!”
“We were received with open arms and kindness. This place and the volunteers are so caring, kind, humble! They made us feel like we were family and we were at home, in this difficult time we are going through right now, El Refugio helped lift some of the burden we had that weekend, while visiting our loved one!”
“A wonderful place that serves the immigrant community.”
