FaithHealth

A Shared Mission of Healing

Forsyth ID Program Launched

Jan 14, 2016 | FaithHealth Stories

forsyth ID

Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center chaplain Francis Rivers offers help with with a form.

 

‘I’m not in the shadows any more’ 

ID program hugely popular on arrival in Forsyth County

By Les Gura

Over the past generation, the Hispanic population has soared in North Carolina. One of the biggest hurdles Hispanic immigrants have faced is a state law that bars residents who do not have proof of U.S. citizenship or residency status from obtaining a driver’s license.

FaithAction International House, a Greensboro-based non-profit, began a photo identification program in the summer of 2013 that has proved hugely successful. During the past 2½ years, more than 4,000 photo identification cards have been issued—largely to residents of Guilford and Alamance counties—thanks to the program.

Faith Health involvement in organizing an Identity card drive primarily for the Hispanic/Latino community. #3095 Waughtown Rd, Winston-Salem

On Friday, FaithAction, in cooperation with law enforcement, health, nonprofit and government agencies, launched the photo identification program in Forsyth County to huge success. A total of 571 people waited for hours on a cold, dreary day outside of SouthEast Plaza on Waughtown Street in Winston-Salem for the chance to apply for a photo identification card. They needed to bring two forms of identification (for example, a document from their home country and a utility bill from their apartment), sign a contract and have their picture taken.

The difference an ID can make

What does having a photo identification mean? To Milena Morales, who works at Mi Pueblo restaurant in Clemmons, the issue is a no-brainer.

“I’m not in the shadows any more,’’ she said.

Faith Health involvement in organizing an Identity card drive primarily for the Hispanic/Latino community. #3095 Waughtown Rd, Winston-Salem

The program came to Forsyth County largely as a result of community mapping work done in the summer of 2014 by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center’s Division of FaithHealth Ministries. Working with numerous organizations and neighborhood residents, the FaithHealth division mapped resources—including strengths and weaknesses—of many areas. In largely Hispanic neighborhoods, the problems presented by not having a valid photo identification are numerous.

It means that if stopped by police or sheriff’s deputies for minor infractions, residents might be taken to jail or even face deportation. From a health perspective, it often means an inability to obtain services because providers can’t offer assistance without proof of identification that a person is who they say they are. For parents or caregivers, the lack of proper identification can present problems in being allowed to pick up children from an afterschool or day care program.

“It’s very simple,’’ says Jose Isasi, owner of Que Pasa media and a strong advocate of the photo identification program. “Unless you have documentation, you’re nothing. Police procedure is simple: They ask for an ID, and if you do not have an ID, they will take you to jail until you can prove who you are. Life becomes difficult.’’

Faith in the process

CS010816-052It also can become a time-consuming process for police or other government agencies to try to validate identifications. Forsyth County has more than 365,000 residents, including an estimated Hispanic population of 12.6 percent, or more than 45,000 people. North Carolina, with nearly 10 million people, has an overall Hispanic population of 9 percent, or about 900,000.

Residents who applied for a card Friday presented forms of identification to prove who they were (birth certificates from their home country, proof of current address such as a utility bill, etc.), and the information was being vetted by several participating agencies, such as the Hispanic League.

After the photo identification process was explained in Spanish and English to those in attendance, officials from the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office and the Winston-Salem Police Department took questions.

Winston-Salem Police Lt. Tyrone Phelps was told by one resident that people were worried the police would arrest them.

“We’re not interested in your immigration status,’’ Phelps said. “We’re also not interested in deporting you. Our job is to make sure you and your family are safe.’’

Phelps said although his department still only officially recognizes government-issued photo identification cards, it supports the photo identification program because having a photo ID is better than not having one.

The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office is fully recognizing the photo identification cards issued by FaithAction, following the lead of the Greensboro Police Department.

CS010816-174Sheriff’s Major Danny Carter told the residents that his department has faith in the vetting process, and he believes the ID cards will help build trust between police and the community. It’s the kind of trust that may result in Hispanic people sharing information about crimes they are aware of with the authorities and the authorities being able to write a simple infraction ticket for minor offenses when they occur.

Carter worked off-duty jobs for eight to 10 years outside the popular Hispanic grocery La Providencia. He says he not only made friends there, but learned basic Spanish while in turn helping many newcomers learn basic English.

He reminded those who came for an identification card that having one is a privilege.

David Fraccaro, executive director of FaithAction, says the idea of a photo identification program conducted by a nonprofit agency is not new. Several northern cities have such programs.

The many volunteers who assisted in registering people were specially trained to review the documents, as well as understand the forms and operate the equipment needed.

The fee to obtain a card was $10, and as another form of proof of residence, the cards are being mailed to the home address of the applicant. The cards must be renewed annually.

People seeking more information about the ID card program may visiit FaithAction.org or call 336-379-0037.

Read a related article in The Christian Century

Join the Community

Sign up for the e-newsletter.



By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

CareNet Counseling

More than 30 centers across North Carolina

Click HERE!

FaithHealth Magazine Fall 2022