Baker Interfaith Friends of ICE Detention Center

Since 2015, the Baker Interfaith Friends of ICE Detention Center in Baker County have been in contact with detainees incarcerated there. The Baker Interfaith Friends mission is to provide compassionate care and a link to the outside world.

The national Lutheran Association provides funds for detainees in need to buy commissary snacks and to assist those with critical needs. The local Westminster Presbyterian Church serves as a go-between for those corresponding with detainees. Social Justice members are learning ICE’s computerized system, Homewav.

In previous years, individual UUFG Social Justice Council members joined the Baker Interfaith Friends and contacted detainees who signed up. This year Social Justice is also sponsoring a card writing project offering UUFG members and friends an opportunity to write birthday cards to detainees after service during coffee hour.

In this way, we reach out to offer them hope and let them know that we’re thinking about them. It gives the detainees a chance to connect with someone outside the detention center who cares about them.

See Lisa Renner or Judi Oltmans for more information.

Greater Gainesville International Center (GGIC)

GGIC is dedicated to building community through collaboration and connection. They are committed to celebrating, elevating, and empowering our international community through community-driven ideas.

The International Rescue Committee, IRC, has partnered with GGIC in two programs of refugee resettlement. GGIC has resettled four families in the Gainesville area. Their help has included housing, job searches, health care, immigration services, English classes, and cultural orientation.

UUFG has supported GGIC through Share the Plate and by advertising its needs to members. Their representative, Terrence Ho, also spoke at a service in the Fall of 2024.

Liaisons with Community

Baker Interfaith Friends –  Lisa Renner at socialjusticechair@uufg.org

Greater Gainesville International Center (GGIC) – Mary Bahr at socialjusticechair@uufg.org