Sarah Jackson

Sarah’s trip to the United States/Mexico border with a humanitarian aid organization working on immigration issues forever changed her life and the lives of countless others. She spoke with people who had been deported, learned about people’s reasons for migrating and the dangers they face. She saw first-hand families being separated. Upon returning to Colorado, she decided to do something about it. Sarah opened Casa de Paz in 2012.

“The strangers I met journeying through the dangerous desert mysteriously transformed in front of my eyes and I imagined they were my family,” says Sarah. “My family has always had the privilege to be together and I wanted the same for other families.”

Casa de Paz began as a small, one-bedroom apartment offering hospitality to families separated by immigrant detention and hosting families whose loved ones were being detained and individuals who had been recently released. Today, now in a larger facility, Casa de Paz provides visits and emotional support, shelter and meals, access to phones, Wi-Fi, computers and transportation. Since opening its doors, Casa de Paz has hosted more than 2,800 immigrants from 73 countries. Sarah also started a volleyball league whose profits pay the operating expenses.

"When you visit Casa de Paz, you feel the love ... Sarah not only lifts up the immigrants, she also inspires those who support the Casa,” says Associate Peg Connelly who volunteers at Casa de Paz. “Sarah’s mission has grown and because of her passion, she’s been able to recruit over 1300 volunteers who live out her hospitality.”

Sarah’s book, The House That Love Built: Why I Opened My Door to Immigrants and How We Found Hope beyond a Broken System, is a finalist for a 2021 Christian Book Award^®.

Sarah’s hope and prayer is to help ease the isolating experience of immigrant detention, one simple act of love at a time.