As Immigration and Customs Enforcement continues its raids on Latino communities in Athens and elsewhere, a local nonprofit that serves those communities, Casa de Amistad, is in “desperate” need of funding, Executive Director Alex Borges said.

With an annual budget of just $32,000 (primarily from Presbyterian churches), Casa de Amistad offers English and citizenship classes, child care and help with groceries, transportation and paperwork to Latino families, many of whom are undocumented and/or impoverished.

Unfortunately, what Borges refers to as a lack of empathy and understanding in the broader community has left the group $20,000 in the hole. You can contribute at gofund.me/SaveCasa or by mailing a check to P.O. Box 841, Athens, GA 30603. Donations are tax-deductible.

At press time, the group had raised about $8,000.