Eddy Crouch
Eddy Crouch came to the Oregon New Sanctuary Movement in March of 2007, through her work on the Multnomah Friends (Quaker) Peace and Social Concerns Committee. As a social worker, she has had a concern for the welfare of others since her early 20’s. Now, in her late 50’s, she has recently been drawn to the Quaker faith with its focus on equality, community and peace.
Eddy sees the ONSM as an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of immigrants who are struggling to survive. She is most impressed with the way the movement works together by bringing an interfaith emphasis to the work.
Eddy states that, “Many people do not have compassion for undocumented immigrants because they do not understand the role the US has played in contributing to their plight.” Through deeper study of the issues, Eddy has come to realize that as one world family, we must work together to support each other. We must get to know each other as human beings, each a part of God’s creation, with a right to happiness.
Jaime Torres
Jaime Torres’s motivation for becoming involved in the Oregon New Sanctuary Movement may have to do with his own immigrant background: Jaime is originally from Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico. Jaime was a young teenager when he and his family moved to Oregon in the early 1980’s.
Jaime has been an active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church ever since he arrived, quickly becoming an important leader in the church’s Hispanic youth group. As an adult, Jaime has helped establish similar groups for Latino youth in other area churches, and now serves as the Coordinator for St. Patrick’s Hispanic Pastoral Committee.
Jaime brings his leadership skills and commitment to Latino youth to the ONSM. He believes that the movement has a crucial role to play in “educating our communities and helping them understand just how difficult life is for immigrants here.” Jaime appreciates the opportunity to work with diverse faith communities towards this common goal.
Jaime is a Department Head at a local wood products company, where he has worked since he was 18. Jaime is often joined at ONSM events by his 12-year old son, Gabriel, whose middle name, Cozan, means “rainbow” in Maya.
Alice Vetter
Alice Vetter, a volunteer with the ONSM, joined the organization a year ago after she read of the raid on Del Monte. “I was shocked by the pictures in the press. I knew people shouldn’t be treated that way.” The following Sunday at her church (Bridgeport UCC), her pastor, Susan Leo, lead an interactive sermon on the raid and its implications. “I was brought to tears by Pastor Susan and the congregational response. It was so overwhelming to know how strongly this event resonated with my faith community.”
The following week, a church group, led by Pastor Susan, attended a large community meeting following the release of some of the women detainees. It was there that Alice met representatives of the New Sanctuary Movement. “I plunged right in, so relieved to find a place to help in addressing the wrongs of a broken, punitive system.”
For the past year, Alice has assisted in holding fundraisers for raid victims, talking with other faith groups about the work of ONSM , holding a baby shower for 4 of the detainees, organizing educational events, attending vigils and rallies. The activity which has been especially gratifying is accompanying women to their court hearings. “This is where I get to know people. I’ve made some great friends in the Latino community because I was able to spend time with them one-on-one. These remarkable ladies are very dear to me.”