Late in the afternoon of May 11th, a family of six from violence-torn Iraq will be arriving at a New York area airport. They will get a ride to New Haven for their initial orientation to life in the United States, and then get a ride from local Middletown, CT community volunteers to an apartment in our city. An Iraqi-style meal cooked by First UMC Middletown's Nancy Diehl will be awaiting them to pop into the microwave. A wall in their apartment will note the Qibla - the direction towards Mecca that Muslims use to pray. They will be safe, comfortable, with new bedding and furniture, ready to start a new life in our community, with God at their side.
This will be only the first of many moments in which faith communities in and near Middletown, CT will be helping this family, and two other families like them from Syria expected in the weeks ahead. Middletown's multi-faith coalition for refugee resettlement has been preparing the way for them at local meetings, the latest including a briefing from IRIS, the non-profit agency in New Haven that is coordinating refugee resettlement in our state. While almost everything on the extensive checklist for our first refugee family's initial days is in place, your contribution to Christ's radical hospitality will be appreciated for this family and additional families in the weeks ahead.
Key needs that will be important include:
This will be only the first of many moments in which faith communities in and near Middletown, CT will be helping this family, and two other families like them from Syria expected in the weeks ahead. Middletown's multi-faith coalition for refugee resettlement has been preparing the way for them at local meetings, the latest including a briefing from IRIS, the non-profit agency in New Haven that is coordinating refugee resettlement in our state. While almost everything on the extensive checklist for our first refugee family's initial days is in place, your contribution to Christ's radical hospitality will be appreciated for this family and additional families in the weeks ahead.
Key needs that will be important include:
- Hospitality - getting our new neighbors familiar with local sites and attractions, including our library.
- ESL services - helping all of the family members to develop stronger language skills
- Shopping -becoming familiar with U.S. shopping for food and necessities
- Employment - the father of this family has a career in computer technologies, so awareness of potential job openings will be helpful
- And many more!
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