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IRATE &
First Friends
Our Story
In 1997, a collaboration of Jesuit Refugee services and the Archdiocese of Newark to provide English language and Bible study to detainees
at the Elizabeth Detention Center (EDC) was the beginnings of what became IRATE & First Friends. Over 170 were being served. Volunteer
visitors began visiting asylum seeking detainees, many of whom had no relatives in this country.
IRATE and First Friends continued as complementary independent missions led by Charlie and Geri respectively with both organizations
sharing a common board of directors.
Additional events were added to the annual calendar. An Ash Wednesday demonstration
at the EDC was followed by a soup supper at nearby St. Joseph's on Division Street. A rememberance of World Refugee Day
(June 20th) was held (initially) at the Priory Restaurant in Newark.
Stamp Out Despair, a twice a year collection of writing materials and phone cards for detainees, begun in 2002, still continues. Interns
from local colleges have assited in the work of Irate & First Friends since 2007-2008 with supervision provided.
Charlie
and Geri Mulligan left for Knoxville, TN in 2008, leaving the organizations in the capable hands of Director, Greg Sullivan,
visiting coordinator, Sr. Regina Holtz and a reorganized board of directors. The two organizations were officially combined in 2008
and received 501 (c) 3 non-profit status in 2009.
We continually seek to adapt our mission to the ever changing situations caused
by raids, detention and the inability of the U.S. government to protect basic human rights and accomplish comprehensive immigration
reform.
Co-founder Geri Mulligan addresses the crowd at the Refugee Day celebration July, 2008
Visitors came from North Jersey and from the Sojourners of Riverside Church in Manhattan.
Volunteer visitors led by Charlie and Geri
Mulligan founded the Interfaith Refugee Action Team at Elizabeth (IRATE) as a separate organization in 1999. IRATE added advocacy
to the mission by lobbying for the end of detention for asylum seekers, and better conditions at the EDC. IRATE also began publication
of "Yearning To Breathe Free" and the march and rally at the EDC on Sunday of Columbus day weekend; each of which continues.
After
9/11 the Jesuit Relief Services withdrew their funding. ICE cancelled all programs for the detainees except weekly religious
services. IRATE joined with volunteer visitors to establish First Friends to provide on-going visiting and support for those detained
at the EDC.
“Remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won. There have been tyrants and murderers and for a time
they seem invincible but in the end, they always fall -- think of it, ALWAYS.”
Mahatma Gandhi
