805Undocufund Seeks Financial Support for Undocumented Disaster Victims

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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – When Katy Perry played a benefit show at the Santa Barbara Bowl, she made it a priority to give $150,000 to the 805 UndocuFund.

The fund was created for undocumented fire and mudslide victims in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties who don’t qualify for Federal aid.

But the promoter for similar shows by Brad Paisley and Jack Johnson said the performers chose other beneficiaries.

UndocuFund Coordinator Nayra Pacheco said they are grateful for donations.

“We’d like to see more support from relief and fundraising efforts, ” said Pacheco.

They helped 379 immigrant families impacted by the fire and debris flow, but they have 1200 more on a waiting list.

They just found out they are eligible for up to $20,000 just tallied from Kevin Costner’s Thomas Fire Benefit Festival in Ventura just announced it raised $20,000 that will be given to the Ventura County Community Foundation. Organizer Kevin Clerici said the UndocuFund is eligible to apply for some of the money raised.

Recent fund recipient includes women who clean multiple Montecito homes damaged in the disaster.

Some of them have returned to work others are looking for new opportunities.

They said it is difficult to ask for help in this political climate. Many with children born here fear deportation.

A woman who cleans four homes said her daughter knew one of the boys killed in Montecito. She said her daughter is deeply affected.

UndocuFund volunteer Dora Perez said, “It’s a shame that out of the all the funds raises it hasn’t funneled down to the most vulnerable.”

Pacheco said United Way of Santa Barbara donated $70,000, and United Way of Ventura has donated $300,000 to date.

Their goal is to raise $2.5 million that will help keep the fund going to help people now and in the future.

For more information visit http://805undocufund.org or https://vccf.org/805-undocufund-donation.