Afghan Refugee Information
(Posted 11.7.21. Be advised that numbers and details will change)
Falmouth (possibly 2 couples and 1 family)
email contact: Marga McElroy NSTCapeCod@gmail.com.
Volunteers are no longer needed (they have so many) they aren’t collecting material goods (the offered housing is furnished and they have no place to store items). However, anyone who wants to know more about what they do can be added to their general e-mail list to be updated on the status of the program and receive invitations to any cultural orientation programs being offered through ZOOM.
Donations can be made through the team’s GoFundMe page under Cape Cod NST. Checks can be made out to Waquoit Congregational Church, with a note in the memo field NST Cape Cod, and mailed to 15 Parsons Lane, East Falmouth 02536. (West Falmouth Preparative Meeting has already made a donation to this fund.)
South Dartmouth (potentially match: a single mother and 3 young children– 10-yr-old boy, girls 4 and 3, but this could change)
email contact: Erik Dyson: erikdyson23@gmail.com
There will be very little lead time (likely 1-2 days advance notice) once a family is assigned.
so they will hold another Zoom coordinating meeting this Thursday, November 4th, from 5:30 – 6:30 PM.
To donate things for homes, such as linens etc: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0C4EABAB2BA5F58-nstapartment (if you aren’t able to sign in from this link, let Erik know you’re interested; he might have to add you as a participant)
To volunteer for listed jobs such as transportation or job support:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Qsnyp6Z2ggNuaOGaigQlnKDmqSx7iexEkNbWpSycI1k/edit#gid=894435378 (If you aren’t able to access this link, let Erik know you’re interested in signing up for a job; he might have to add you as a participant)
To donate: Here’s the GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/southcoast-ma-neighborhood-support-team-nst?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1
Daphne Clement has talked to Friends Academy about the 10-year-old and they will give free tuition! : )
New Bedford (3- 5 families)
The City of New Bedford which is heading this effort is not interested in volunteers or material donations.
Financial donations for New Bedford can go to the Immigrant’s Assistance Center; but specifically designate the donation so it is clear you want the money to go to support the Afghan families. The IAC’s website is https://immigrantsassistancecenter.org/ (you can donate there).
Sandwich (1 family)
POWIR, a group associated with Catholic Charities, is bringing an Afghan family to Sandwich. The contact person is Steve Schrader. Pigpenf16ma@gmail.com
Plymouth
An Iraqi family has been settled in Manomet (Plymouth) through the same organization working in Sandwich (POWIR). They’ve been there about 6 weeks. The father speaks excellent English (not sure about the mother).
The person who is coordinating Neighborhood Support Teams in the Southcoast doesn’t have any team in Plymouth yet, but will keep us updated if new towns are added in the area. There may be other groups doing the resettling, however.
from Lee:
Out of our area but still interesting: Refugee Dream Center in Providence is collecting clothing, toiletries and school supplies – contact – 401-300-0544
Other organizations:
- Women for Women International – womenforwomen.org
- Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service – https:lirs.org
* Above information provided to meetings of Sandwich Quarterly Meeting by Deena Kinsky