Supporting Immigrant Families in Times of Crisis: the IFER Fund
At the Ashrei Foundation, we believe that every person—regardless of their country of origin—deserves to live in safety, dignity, and with access to basic needs. That belief drives our Immigration Justice work, which supports immigrants and refugees in the St. Louis region through advocacy, resource navigation, coalition-building, and community-based care.
As a proud member of the Immigrant Service Provider Network (ISPN), we stand with more than 40 agencies committed to improving outcomes for immigrant communities across our region.
The Immigrant Family Emergency Response (IFER) Fund
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic began to devastate families across the globe, immigrant families in St. Louis faced unique and urgent challenges. Many were ineligible for federal relief, and systemic barriers blocked access to basic resources. That’s why the Immigrant Family Emergency Response (IFER) Fund was created—a pooled fund led by the ISPN and local partners to provide direct financial assistance to immigrant families during times of crisis.
Originally launched to address pandemic-related hardship, the IFER Fund has since evolved in 2025 to meet a growing need: helping families weather the increased financial toll of heightened immigration enforcement and anti-immigrant policies.
Ashrei Foundation is honored to serve as the lead partner organization for the current initive, coordinating volunteer efforts, and serving on the Steering Committee that manages the Fund’s design, and executing the distribution of funds.
All donations to the IFER Fund go directly to families in need—none of the funds are used for administrative overhead.
2025 IFER Fund distribution: Round 1
In March 2025, the IFER Fund re-opened its application process and received an overwhelming 996 applications in just two weeks, highlighting the immense need in our region. The demand stretched across 10 counties in Missouri and Illinois, representing 91 unique zip codes—with the highest concentration of applicants from 63116 and 63114.
by the numbers:
$100,000 in direct cash assistance distributed to 200 families
Applications received in 6 languages, with over 50% in Spanish and 44% in English
Additional language needs emerged during follow-up, including Farsi, Pashto, Kinyarwanda, and Dari
Families supported came from 47 different zip codes
89% of applicants reported current financial hardship due to immigration enforcement
40 volunteers across 19 delivery teams coordinated in-person cash delivery efforts
This is a grassroots operation at its finest—community members showing up for each other with compassion and solidarity. Volunteers hand-delivered cash assistance to families, many hearing stories of how the funds would make an immediate impact on the lives of their loved ones.
Looking Ahead: A $1,000,000 Goal
The goal for 2025 is bold and necessary: $1,000,000 in direct support to immigrant families facing economic hardship. As the need continues to grow, so does our commitment. But we cannot do it alone.
✅ Volunteer with Ashrei: Email info@ashreifoundation.org for upcoming training opportunities
✅ Stay informed: Visit ISPN STL for updates, FAQs, and resources
We are proud to stand alongside courageous immigrant families and the advocates who walk with them. Together, we can build a region where no one has to choose between their safety and their survival.
Let’s continue to show up for each other.
