Whitewater continues to be Wisconsin's base for migrant populations, family from Columbia shares their story
WHITEWATER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Whitewater continues to be Wisconsin's base for the migrant population with social services providing what they can to families in need. Today, one family shared with us the journey they've been on since leaving Columbia.
Jazmin Gonzalez makes a weekly stop at The Community Space. It is open three days a week, offering nutritious food, clothing in all sizes, and even household items, all at no charge, and no questions asked.
"I am very grateful to the people, even though I have been through it, I have not had any difficulties, the city has helped me," said Jazmin Gonzalez, seeking asylum from Columbia.
Gonzalez's story starts in Columbia in 2022. She took a flight to Mexico, then paid for safe passage to help her and her youngest daughter, seen in this family photo, get to Wisconsin to meet up with her husband and oldest daughters.
"The person was a contact passed on to me and the person behaved very well with us," said Gonzalez.
"We walked through the desert for 30 minutes, no river, and we were safe," said Gonzalez.
The journey to the U.S. was important to Gonzalez who left behind a community she describes as unsafe. She and her 11-year-old left at dawn, putting her trust in God.
"Last week and the week before I could see that there were new people because what they want are pillows and blankets and coats because they're cold and they don't have anywhere to sleep on, they want mattresses also and beds," said Kay Robers with The Community Space.
"They no have a place to stay. They had to sleep in the street. They no have food to eat and you know, take a shower," said Pedro Fernandez, who migrated to the U.S. from Mexico.
Pedro Fernandez has seen countless migrants struggle. He himself migrated from Mexico over 30 years ago and finds value now in giving back as a volunteer.
"We ask if they not speak English, so I help them," said Fernandez.
The Community Space takes in over 6,000 pounds of food a week.
"In the nice summer weather when we have all the produce, that’s easier because they recognize it, but if you went to a foreign country and you get this can with something on it, the wrong kind of writing on it, you don't even know what it is," said Robers.
Along with the food, clothing and furniture, people can also get free medical advice every Wednesday. Open Arms operates a free clinic in Elkhorn to the uninsured.
With regard to the migrant situation, Governor Evers today said, "We have to have a system that works…people have concerns about the Southern border…but at the end of the day, Wisconsin is a welcoming place."
On the other side of the political aisle, Senator Ron Johnson said, "Why don't we instead secure the border, drop that number down to a trickle, as opposed to codify and normalize thousands of illegal migrants assaulting our border, invading our country a day?"