Justice for Our Neighbors

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unaware.”

- Hebrews 13:2

Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) was founded as a result of the United Methodist Church’s GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES’ acute awareness of the tremendous need for immigration assistance. The GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES funded this project through the UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF (UMCOR).

JFON at John Wesley United Methodist Church began in the Summer of 1999. Currently, there is one monthly clinic, usually held on the Second Monday of each month, where we provide free quality legal services to immigrants of all nationalities.

Facts about us

• This ministry was founded in 1999 with support from the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) and the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR)
• We have served the immigration needs of hundreds of families in the years the clinic has been in operation.
• We responded to an emergency rush for immigration amnesty in April 2001, serving hundreds of people from all over New York City.
• We work with with the Chinese UMC in Manhattan, La Promesa Presbyterian Mission in Flushing, NY, the New York Annual Conference and UMCOR to provide a range of immigration services, which are completely confidential and free of charge.
• A member of John Wesley UMC, Diane Larrier serves as Clinic Coordinator/Paralegal for the Immigration Clinic.
• We continue to serve in the presence of tougher immigration laws since September 11th, 2001.  

How can YOU help?

You can volunteer to work with John Wesley UMC Justice For Our Neighbors immigration clinic, establishing hope and justice in our community. You can commit to:

• PRAY FOR JFON’S WORK, CLIENTS, STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
• INVITE JFON STAFF TO MAKE A PRESENTATION AT MY RELIGIOUS OR CIVIC INSTITUTION.
• ENCOURAGE MY GROUP TO INCLUDE JFON IN OUR BUDGET.
• STUDY IMMIGRATION ISSUES, AND WORK FOR JUSTICE.
• YOU CAN SUPPORT JFON WITH A GIFT
• YOU CAN VOLUNTEER AS A:
  Translator/Interpreter, Lawyer, Paralegal, Hospitality Worker, Office Worker, Clinic Intake Worker,
  Chaplain
  BE AN ADVOCATE FOR JFON THROUGH RECRUITMENT, FUNDRAISING OR PROGRAM SCHEDULING.

Who are our neighbors?

• A young couple needing to process the residency papers for the non-citizen spouse.
• A frightened 22-year old whose money has gone to pay for worthless legal
• advice from people all too ready to take advantage of immigrants.
• A father seeking a way to bring his wife and children out of a drought-stricken country.
• An abused wife whose U.S. citizen husband refuses access to their children and threatens to get her deported.
• A young couple fleeing the violence of a political upheaval.
• A couple trying to find ways to visit a dying father in their country of origin.

What can we do?

• Mission Education to help us in our spiritual growth commitment and understanding of relationships with the uprooted and vulnerable.

For more information the work of the United Methodist church with immigrants and refugees, go to  GBGM Immigration and Refugees and for more information on the Justice for Our Neighbors ministry, including to UMCOR's Justice For Our Neighbors page.

Also, more information can be found here: New World Outlook article on Chinese UMC JFON ministry. Chinese UMC in Chinatown/Lower Manhattan, NY is a partner with us in the New York region of JFON.

For more information, or to have an appointment scheduled, please call the Immigration Voice Mail line at 718-783-1501