Three Reasons Why TAP is no Longer Accepting Physical Donations
Many months ago, major news outlets reported on the arrival of Haitian migrants to the Texas border. As a community, we bore witness to families being mistreated by border patrol and I had to do something about it. To TAP’s honor, I ended up being a primary resource for those who wanted to help and for those who needed support. Since then, I have served as an interpretation and translation service, an advocacy service (ask about my trips to ICE!), a resource center and a donation drop-off and delivery service.
I have to pull back. Here’s why.
Photographer: Heather Suggitt
Source: Unsplash
We Don’t Have the Capacity
TAP is a small team that continues to depend on volunteers. I have one full time employee and a varying number of part time volunteers. While volunteerism is amazing, it is based on the schedule and ability of others. This constantly fluctuates. Operating past one’s capacity undermines the goals of an organization and it definitely undermines ours. TAP is a development org aimed at creating new, dependable systems and I can’t do this if I’m counting donations, calling recipients to make sure the donations are a good fit and hand delivering them on public transportation. Though, I did enjoy the new challenge!
We have to Avoid Mission Creep
Again, TAP is a development organization aimed at telling Haitian stories, engaging in strategic partnerships and creating long term solutions. Because the situation at the Texas border was so dire, I suited up and booted up. I volunteered for over 20 hours a week with organizations doing the work. I accepted donations into my personal home. I put basic human needs before TAP’s mission because the need was high. While the need continues to exist, I have to revisit and commit to why I created The August Project.
Others are Doing the Work
I am grateful that there are other organizations that are making sure that our newly arrived families receive their daily hygienic needs. I’ve worked with them! Should you continue to shop our Amazon gift list, I will continue to deliver the goods to families in need.
If you’re wondering what I plan to do with The August Migrant Fund, I will continue to accept monetary donations and donate it to our families. They continue to need necessities like metrocards, money in hand, and other day to day needs. They need to pay for asylum applications and travel to their immigration appointments. What makes this more streamlined is that I can order necessities online and have them delivered directly to families thereby avoiding the above. This money will not be re-allocated to operations costs or any other projects I have for the 2022 year.
Ultimately, I have no regrets. I still have a slew of resources that help newly arrived families and continue to help them by answering phone calls and replying to WhatsApp messages. I am not completely hands off, but I am scaling back.
Special thanks to the East Kings County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for partnering with us to get items to families in need.
Questions about running a non-profit, especially amidst crises, email us at ruth.jeanmarie@theaugustproject.org
Ruth Jean-Marie, Founder + Executive Director