Supporting Refugees

We have formed a powerful multi-faith collaboration with Temple Beth Zion in Brookline, Grace Episcopal Church in Newton Corner, the Newton Centre Minyan, First Baptist Church in Newton Centre and Firts Unitarian Universalist Society of Newton to support the resettlement of families seeking asylum in the U.S.

Our work is guided by the Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM). RIM has worked for over thirty years to bring together congregations of different faiths in “clusters” to help resettle refugees. Clusters offer financial, emotional, practical, educational and communal support for families on their fragile journey to stability. RIM provides a case worker and consistent support to ensure that the cluster has the resources it needs to succeed. Importantly the cluster model provides congregations of different faiths to work together for Tikkun Olam.

How Can You Help?

Most importantly, offer time, energy and friendship. The refugee families we are supporting need help daily with rides, babysitting, ESL studies, purchasing furniture and houseware, navigating the worlds of shopping, healthcare, schools, and social life, and much more. We have committees dedicated to outreach, transportation, acculturation, employment, education, housing and fundraising. Each committee has a chair person and volunteers from among the congregational partners. Please bring your interests and expertise!

Provide or help find a home. Clusters have two options: provide financial support for the family to rent an apartment; or host a family in a member’s home such as a single room, in-law apartment, or any other combination of space. If you can offer housing or know someone who can, please let us know as soon as possible.

Consider making a monetary or in-kind gift to support the families.

Tax-deductible donations can be made in two ways:

Read much more at our website: http://www.nb-arc.com

If you would like to know more about how you can help, please contact any of the steering committee members listed below, who will be glad to fill you in on ways you can be part of this project:

Reyim