As you may already know, the City of Northampton is working to create a network of support for Catholic Charities to bring 51 refugees (10 to 17 families) to Northampton. The mayor has called together community leaders to work on issues of housing, employment, education, English classes, fundraising, etc. Susannah Crolius is the Catholic Charities coordinator, and is also organizing Circles of Care. Each circle will be a group of 6-8 people who will be assigned to a refugee family to provide more personal support, such as assistance with household preparation pre-arrival (supplies, furniture, clothing, etc.), pick up at the airport, orientation to Northampton and to American culture, transportation to doctor’s appointments, English language practice, etc.

Andrea is on the mayor’s committee and was asked if our church would organize a Circle of Care. When she brought this request to the Peace & Justice Committee, we agreed, and a circle was formed with Lisa Hall as Leader. The members of our circle are: Doug Renick and Carol Rinehart (as a team), Linda Ziegenbein and Andrew Geery (as a team), both Jim and Christine Foudy, Carolyn DuBois and Paula Spencer. Our church is being asked to commit to having a circle for 5 years, with circle members serving for six months to a year. So if you are interested, there will be opportunities for you to step in. Refugee families are assigned to our area by the federal government and are likely to come from the Middle East, especially Afghanistan and Syria, or from Burundi or the Congo in Africa. There will be trainings coming up for circle members to help us know what our role is and isn’t, and how to be culturally appropriate. The first families are expected to arrive starting in January 2017.

Please watch for more information in the coming months. We’re sure there will be many ways for our church community to support these refugees in making their home here.

– Lisa Hall