Greeley Human Relations Commission might give $2,000 for families hurt by raid

The Greeley Human Relations Commission isn't waiting around.

Members didn't wait for their next scheduled monthly meeting to discuss how the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid has impacted the community, and they will not wait for a new immigration grant the city won last week.

The Greeley and Evans communities received a $10,000 grant last week from The Colorado Trust to begin planning action to build a stronger community with good relationships with immigrants. Initial planning starts this month and should be finished in May. The communities then will be eligible for grants of $75,000 annually for four years.

While the commissioners talked Wednesday about the grant, they said they did not want to wait for it to take action. They wanted to work out some solutions to immigration concerns now, especially in light of Tuesday's ICE raid.

Their first step was to offer a $2,000 grant toward the Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church fund for families hurt by the raid.

"I think it's one step," said Fabiola Rios, 37, of Evans. "It's good to know these people care for their community."

Commissioners expressed concerns about families whose loved ones were detained or deported in the ICE raid, but they weren't sure about the magnitude of the raid's effects.

Sylvia Martinez, spokeswoman for Latinos Unidos, was one of 12 people who attended the commission's special meeting and tried to answer some questions. Definite answers, however, are still hard to come by.

Martinez did share some stories about families that have been torn apart and people who are afraid to ask for help because they don't know if they, too, will be deported.

Maria Flores, 39, of Greeley is a member of Latinos Unidos who attended the special meeting. She said she was pleased with the commission's first step to address community concerns about families.

"They look like they feel what the Latino community is feeling right now," Flores said.

What's next

What: Special meeting for the Greeley Human Relations Commission

When: 5 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Greeley City Hall, 1000 10th St.

Details: Members will discuss partnering with nonprofit agencies to further help distressed families.