Joseph and Rachel Givens work with the Maria Skobtsova House in Calais, France, a Catholic Worker-inspired initiative providing sanctuary and hospitality to vulnerable refugees, particularly women and families with children.
As facilitators with Mission Network, they accompany and support volunteers who live in the house, fostering a family-like atmosphere where guests and volunteers share meals, prayers, and daily tasks. Their work involves managing the house’s operations, which offers temporary shelter to migrants primarily from the Middle East and Africa seeking refuge, often en route to the United Kingdom.
They build relationships with refugees, connecting them to legal, medical, and psychological support through partnerships with organizations like Secours Catholique. The Givens also lead initiatives like the Christ at the Borders Just Peace Pilgrimage, where they guide participants in engaging with the refugee community, preparing memorials for those lost crossing the English Channel, and advocating for humane migration pathways.
Their efforts focus on creating a prayerful, supportive community that counters the challenges faced by refugees in Calais, emphasizing dignity, mutual support, and spiritual growth
Learn more about the Givens family and their assignment:
