Welcome to OLAS/LGBT Sanctuary Project.
OLAS means "Waves," and is also a Spanish language acronym for LGBTQ Organization for Support and Solidarity
OLAS is part of the East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (EBSC), in Berkeley California.
OLAS is a non-profit organization that works with LGBTQ+ immigrants seeking asylum in the United States due to experiences of violence and discrimination in their countries. Our purpose is to create community and improve the well-being of our participants.
We offer supportive, healing group experiences in the format of weekend workshops, retreats and holiday celebrations. Our events are culturally and linguistically appropriate, affordable (no one turned away for lack of funds), and holistic (incorporating the arts, meditation, and other healing modalities).
OLAS has had to modify our activities during the COVID-19 pandemic, given California regulations to shelter in place. Many of our participants are out of work, unable to pay rent, utilities, food, and telephone bills. OLAS has repurposed our grant money and has already granted more than $17,000 to LGBT asylum seekers with the most pressing needs, some of whom do not qualify for federal aid. We are in close contact with them, and have hosted nine online support groups since the Bay Area shelter-in-place, offered a class to assist participants with applying for unemployment benefits, have improved our internal social media so that participants can more easily support each other directly. and we have even delivered organic vegetables to some of our participants in need!
"I am very grateful and blessed to have received a grant from OLAS, which was a great help to me. I have four children and I have been out of work, unable to pay my bills. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've met so many wonderful people in OLAS. I pray for all of us, always. OLAS has changed my life in very significant ways."-Wendy (Mexico)
"OLAS paid our May rent. I still can't believe it! Thank you so very much for the support. I am very grateful. OLAS is much more than emotional support. It is a family. I feel very blessed to be part of this group!" - Daniel (Guatemala)
"I received economic support from OLAS, and also vegetables! I am grateful to God and to OLAS for this support. There are no words to convey my gratitude." Andrea (Guatemala)
"I am not receiving any other economic aid, only from OLAS, and it's one less stress taken off my shoulders! Blessings to everyone in OLAS that made this possible!"-Ricardo (Mexico)
"I'm so thankful to God and to OLAS. Thank you for paying my rent. Since I arrived in the group, I have received so much help, and I have met such wonderful people with good hearts. I consider them my brothers and sisters!" - Patricia (Mexico)
"OLAS created a new social media group and also has offered online support groups for us. A lot of us are feeling very desperate right now and OLAS is what keeps our spirits up so that we can keep on moving with our lives. It's where we can talk and share about what we are going through. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." -Diego (Guatemala)
OLAS is currently fundraising for the year 2020 and we need your support to make all these wonderful programs happen. Please visit our donations page.
*Contact us if you would like information on upcoming events
"I am very grateful and blessed to have received a grant from OLAS, which was a great help to me. I have four children and I have been out of work, unable to pay my bills. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I've met so many wonderful people in OLAS. I pray for all of us, always. OLAS has changed my life in very significant ways."-Wendy (Mexico)
"OLAS paid our May rent. I still can't believe it! Thank you so very much for the support. I am very grateful. OLAS is much more than emotional support. It is a family. I feel very blessed to be part of this group!" - Daniel (Guatemala)
"I received economic support from OLAS, and also vegetables! I am grateful to God and to OLAS for this support. There are no words to convey my gratitude." Andrea (Guatemala)
"I am not receiving any other economic aid, only from OLAS, and it's one less stress taken off my shoulders! Blessings to everyone in OLAS that made this possible!"-Ricardo (Mexico)
"I'm so thankful to God and to OLAS. Thank you for paying my rent. Since I arrived in the group, I have received so much help, and I have met such wonderful people with good hearts. I consider them my brothers and sisters!" - Patricia (Mexico)
"OLAS created a new social media group and also has offered online support groups for us. A lot of us are feeling very desperate right now and OLAS is what keeps our spirits up so that we can keep on moving with our lives. It's where we can talk and share about what we are going through. Thank you from the bottom of my heart." -Diego (Guatemala)
OLAS is currently fundraising for the year 2020 and we need your support to make all these wonderful programs happen. Please visit our donations page.
*Contact us if you would like information on upcoming events
