Welcome Neighbors Annual Report June 2024 to May 2025
The Welcome Neighbors service team has been very busy this past year. Support of our asylum seeker families, including assistance with legal help, translation, transporting, housing applications, advocacy, material needs and friendship is a major focus. All of our families have housing, all have their work permits and have jobs (other than the three who are mothers of very young children) and all are working on their English skills to obtain fluency. There have been some medical emergencies where we have been most fortunate to have team member Susann Henderson as an advocate to help the families navigate the medical system and make sure the proper medical attention is received. Also, our pastors have both been supportive during these occurrences.
Ron Bancroft has been very helpful in helping out when there has been need for job counseling or finding a source for an inexpensive but good car. Each of our families has a ‘Go To’ Family navigator...Diane Bennekamper and Lorraine Martin, Ron and Sally Bancroft, Lalla Carothers, Nicki Piaget, Carol Riley and Gail Witherill
Of particular concern since January 20th, 2025 is the changing political atmosphere that has become very challenging for our asylum families with rules changing daily, many times without notice. We have worked to keep our families informed of changes as best we can and have made sure they know their rights. Legal representation is imperative in the changing legal landscape and we are hopeful that two of our families who do not yet have legal representation will have representation soon.
Volunteer support has continued at the State Street Shelter, under the able leadership of Jeanie Barnard. Kathy Barnhart continues to be the Family Promise liaison. A drive for household items for Family Promise was successful due to the generosity of church members and friends.
Funding is always a challenge…whether it is to help with a car repair bill, a bus pass, laundry quarters, school supplies, or shoes for growing children. Carol Riley led a successful Gratitude campaign during Lent, the proceeds of which went towards the regular Welcome Neighbors Fund. Part of the Christmas Eve offering also went to the regular WN fund. The Welcome Neighbors Legal Fund is meeting the legal needs of our families at present, primarily because the families are able to contribute to their legal costs as they are working. Our service team is fortunate to have a very dedicated group and also to have the support of numerous folks in our church and community. It’s Love in Action and we thank you all!
Welcome Neighbors Leaders: Nicki Piaget, Carol Riley, Gail Witherill
WN Team: Sally and Ron Bancroft, Jeanie Barnard, Kathy Barnhart, Diane Bennekamper, Lorraine Martin, Karen Birthisel, Lalla Carothers, Laura DeDoes, Karen Gallati, Amy Hatch, Susann Henderson, Lois Judge, Dick and Ellen Klain, Andrea Lauerman, Martha Leggat, Elaine Nadzo, Cindy Rawnsley, Ann Sawchuck, Rev. Allison Smith, Amanda Wood, Katherine Manchester
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Welcome Neighbors Annual Report
June 2023 to May 2024
The Welcome Neighbors Team has had a very active year.
Highlights include:
Support of asylum seeker families, including assistance with legal help, translation, transportation, housing applications, advocacy, material needs and friendship.
This past year, 3 families moved into housing! Most of them now have their work permits and have jobs or are working on their English skills and taking courses.
Of special note, we had a wedding! Teresa and Samuel M. had a lovely wedding at our church in late December.
In addition, we were blessed to welcome a number of new members in our church community as we offer translation during worship and a Multilingual Service at 11 am on Sundays.
Volunteer support continues with the State Street Shelter as well as with the Root Cellar and Family Promise program.
Major challenges continue to be:
Housing, Transportation, Legal Representation and Costs
We are so grateful for the dedication and support for numerous folks in our Church and community. It’s Love in Action!
Contact the Church if you would like to help!
Welcome Neighbors Leaders
Nicki Piaget, Carol Riley, Gail Witherill
Welcoming New Neighbors: March ‘23 update
The situation is so dire for many of our newest neighbors who have arrived in Maine this winter seeking safety, hope, and a better life. 550 asylum seekers have come to Portland since January. All of the shelters are full and parents with small children are sleeping on folding chairs crowded into the warming center. The Congregational Church, UCC is working with our neighboring churches/faith communities as well as regionally to do everything we can to help families be sheltered and safe.
We are working with the State Street UCC to open a new overflow shelter this week. For more information or if you can volunteer in the evening or at night CLICK HERE. The shelter will be open from Mar. 5 to April 29.
Additionally we are looking for housing--in-law apartments, basement spaces, empty buildings/homes in Cumberland, North Yarmouth and our wider community to house families--especially those with children.
We will be co hosting a series with Prince Memorial Library in April to help us learn why folks are fleeing Central Africa and coming to Maine. These families desperately want to work and contribute. Please consider helping our neighbors in any way you can. For more information, please contact the office@cumberlanducc.org or Rev. Allison Smith.
Welcoming Neighbors Update: December 2022
The situation for New Mainers continues to grow more urgent as winter approaches and motel evictions are happening more frequently. Hotels that have been paid to house refugee and asylum families through General Assistance are having to close their doors on these families as GA phases out. Because all shelters in Portland are maxed out and housing stocks have evaporated, these families face living in hallways or, even worse, outdoors. Two of the families we have been working with were moved to a Saco location by Catholic Charities before they were evicted, which was a blessing. However, many other New Mainers are facing eviction each day.
For those who have asked, “How can I help?”, here are ways you can make a difference
1. Donate to our Welcome Neighbors fund for legal help. Each New Mainer asylum family must go through the courts to obtain documents designating them as accepted persons seeking asylum. To retain immigration lawyers is very costly; these families are not allowed to work and begin to build their lives here until they obtain their official status. If you are moved to donate: please click here and select “Welcoming Neighbors Legal Fund” in the dropdown menu or make out a check to CCCUCC with “Welcoming Neighbors Legal Fund” in the memo.
2. Donate to help our neighbors with bus passes, phone cards, warm clothing, and whatever other assistance is needed. Click here and select “Welcoming Neighbors Fund” in the dropdown menu or make out a check to CCCUCC with “Welcoming Neighbors” in the memo.
3. Write the Governor and your legislators to ask for a State-led coordinated system to address the current housing and humanitarian crisis. Go to www.neighbors-need-me.com/takeaction.
4. Donate warm medium or small adult coats for teenagers who have arrived in Maine without parents. Mittens/gloves for snow and warm winter boots in good condition are also needed. Drop off these items at the Church at 282 Main St., Cumberland.
5. Sign up to volunteer as local churches house families who would otherwise have nowhere to go. Currently, Woodfords Church in Portland is hosting 4 families. They are looking for folks to host the families from 5:00-8:45 pm each day of the week OR to be the overnight hosts which means sleeping at the church in case of questions/emergency. Here is the sign up link to help with Greater Portland Family Promise.
6. Pack meals with Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition.
Six days a week, culturally appropriate meals are prepared by African chefs and then 220 individual meals (for those living in motels) are packaged by volunteers at the Root Cellar in Portland. If we have 4-5 volunteers each session, we are able to pack the meals and clean up in a little over an hour. Sign up here: here.
We are dedicated to welcoming our neighbors with love and acting as Jesus would– caring for those in need.
