Connection as Resistance: Breaking the Isolation of Immigration Detention
William Penn University
(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) – Every day 44,000 individuals are behind bars in more than 200 immigrant prisons and jails across the country, including Iowa. Program coordinator for the Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Program, Rocío Calderón, will discuss breaking the isolation of immigration detention on Monday, April 1, at 6:00 p.m. in the Musco Technology Center (MTC) on William Penn University’s Oskaloosa campus. The presentation will be spoken in Spanish, with interpretation to English.
Calderón will share about her time in Eloy Detention Center as a detainee and the impact it has had on her life. She will be joined by her colleague, Elizabeth Smith. Together they will describe the important role visitation programs play in caring for those in our communities.
Matt Wagner, a WPU professor, and director of the Digital Communication program, recently organized an activity for Rocío’s program.
“Several of our students, faculty, and staff had the privilege of sending messages to detainees for Casa Mariposa’s card writing campaign during the Christmas season. I appreciate and respect Rocío’s and Elizabeth’s dedication to raising awareness on an aspect of the immigration issue that isn’t getting much attention. I’m excited for Rocío to share her story and learn more about the advocacy of Casa Mariposa,” Wagner said.
About the Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Program
The Casa Mariposa Detention Visitation Program resists the idea that immigrants behind bars should be isolated and lonely. Through weekly visits and letters, they strive to alleviate the isolation felt by immigrants in Eloy Detention Center (Eloy, AZ).
Leaders Speak Series
The Leaders Speak Series is an annual initiative that reaches out to the community with diverse leadership-based themes. The 2018–19 series is supported by MidWestOne Bank and has expanded on the theme “Voices,” which aims at bringing in speakers to give voice to societal issues and concerns. The event is free and open to the public. It is also streamed online at: www.wmpenn.edu/leaders.
