Located in El Paso, Texas, Holy Family Refugee Center is a beacon of hope and compassion, offering refuge to legal immigrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. Operated by the Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, the center is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming space for individuals and families fleeing persecution, violence, and extreme hardship in their home countries. Here, refugees find not only shelter and basic needs but also a community that embraces them with open arms and a spirit of solidarity.

A Calling to Serve

Holy Family Refugee Center was founded on a profound call to live the gospel through service. Father Jarek, a Conventual Franciscan friar from Poland, oversees the center’s ministry. After serving in missions across Africa, South America, and Europe, Father Jarek felt drawn to the U.S.-Mexico border, where he saw the urgent need for compassion and support for refugees. His mission began with the simple yet profound task of preparing and delivering food to refugees during the COVID-19 pandemic, even when he could not see them in person.

Over time, this ministry evolved. With the help of Ruben Garcia from Annunciation House, and many volunteers, Holy Family Refugee Center opened its doors to welcome refugees seeking legal entry into the United States. As Father Jarek explains, this work is not just about providing physical needs but about answering God’s call to be present with the vulnerable, just as St. Francis was called to care for lepers.

Supporting Their Journey

The mission of Holy Family Refugee Center is to offer safety and dignity to refugees, providing them with basic necessities such as shelter, food, clothing, and transportation. Legal refugees who have been processed by U.S. immigration authorities are welcomed at the center. These refugees often include families, pregnant women, individuals persecuted due to their gender or sexuality, and others fleeing extreme violence or poverty.

Volunteers and staff work tirelessly to ensure that each person who comes through the center’s doors feels supported and respected. From helping refugees secure travel arrangements to reconnect with loved ones across the country, to offering a warm meal and a bed, Holy Family Refugee Center strives to embody the spirit of love and care. As Father Jarek explains, “We live Matthew chapter 25 every day—welcoming the hungry, the thirsty, and the stranger.”

A Place of Healing and Hope

Holy Family Refugee Center is more than just a shelter; it is a community. Those who come through its doors often arrive with nothing, having been robbed or extorted along their journey. Many have experienced years of hardship, traveling through dangerous territories like the Darién Gap. Despite the trauma they have faced, refugees at Holy Family often display remarkable strength, faith, and resilience. Their stories touch the hearts of everyone who meets them, reminding us of the deep humanity we all share.

The center’s work is not without its challenges, as immigration laws and processes constantly change. However, the focus remains on providing immediate care—welcoming refugees, ensuring they have a safe place to rest, and helping them transition to the next stage of their journey. The spirit of solidarity is strong, and even among the refugees themselves, there are acts of generosity and kindness, such as families pooling their limited resources to help others buy bus tickets to their destinations.

Join Us in This Mission

Holy Family Refugee Center is a testament to the power of community, faith, and love in action. The center thrives on the dedication of its volunteers, who give not just from their abundance but from their hearts. As St. John Paul II once said, true generosity comes from giving of one’s substance—not just excess. At Holy Family, this is lived out every day.

We invite you to be part of this mission of compassion. Your support makes a difference. Together, we can continue to welcome refugees with the dignity and care they deserve, embodying the gospel call to love and serve the stranger among us.

At Holy Family Refugee Center, every act of kindness brings us closer to building a world where all people, regardless of where they come from, can find safety, hope, and a new beginning.