Our hearts ache for those impacted by the Key Bridge collapse

Dear Friends,

As I write this message, emergency workers have entered the recovery phase in the search for the missing construction workers from the catastrophic Key Bridge collapse. Thinking of the six people who are presumed lost is heartbreaking and a reminder of the incredibly hard and dangerous work that members of our community do at all hours of the day and night for the sake of our public safety.

We understand most or all of the workers were immigrants from Latin America, including from Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Mexico, and we extend our condolences to their families and loved ones.

“This catastrophe has already disproportionately impacted our city’s immigrant community, one that often toils in demanding and dangerous jobs to the benefit of all who call Baltimore home”, Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, president and CEO of Global Refuge, a Baltimore-based immigrant services nonprofit, said in a statement yesterday.

We extend our gratitude and respect to the emergency responders, the people who saved lives by closing the bridge, and those out there diving in the frigid waters. The collapse of this iconic Baltimore bridge and its impact on the region is having wide-ranging impacts, and local organizations and counselors are supporting the community through this tragedy. We are grateful for President Biden’s pledge to bring federal funds to rebuild, and for the state and City leaders addressing the crisis.

Warm regards,

Heather Iliff
President & CEO
Maryland Nonprofits