November 10, 2021
Program Overview:
Welcome and introductions, Karen Ludington, Worcester Area Mission Society
Supporting new neighbors from other cultures, Rev. Liz Garrigan-Byerly, Area Conference Minister, North Central Region, Southern NE Conference UCC
Informational Slide Deck, with links, Mary Robbins, Worcester Area Mission Society
Scope of the challenge and the need for Neighborhood Support Teams, Elizabeth Davis-Edwards and Barbara Petrocelli, WelcomeMA
Carolina Beard, Ayer-Shirley Neighborhood Support Team
Q&A (from Chat)
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Supporting new neighbors from other cultures
Rev. Ross is the Minister for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Southern New England Conference UCC.
Author, Rev. Josh Baird
Afghan families and individuals who evacuated here will face a myriad of cultural differences, language barriers, and more. To help ease their transition to life in the United States, volunteers, staff, and community members are encouraged to learn as much as they can about Afghan customs, culture, and traditions.
Additional resources: https://www.welcomema.us/resources-support
Gift cards (Walmart, etc.) are also welcome. These can be dropped at or mailed to:
Ascentria Care Alliance, Attn: Neighborhood Support Teams
11 Shattuck Street | Worcester, Massachusetts 01605
Amazon wish list -- filled with essential home goods. These items will help make Afghans' new houses, homes.
How Your Donations Will Help Resettle Afghan Families:
�$25 - Helps pay for groceries needed to cook a family meal�$75 - Will help pay for bedding for two small children�$125 - Pays for a couple's clothing necessities�$500 - Covers half of one month's rent
Offer Employment Opportunities
We are looking for employment opportunities for Afghans in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and would love your help in getting the word out in your communities! Let us know if you are interested in providing employment opportunities.
�Provide Legal Assistance
Learn how WelcomeMA’s partner, Ascentria Care Alliance, operates the Ascentria Immigration Legal Assistance Program to provide free and low-cost legal services to refugees and immigrants in Massachusetts.
Provide Interpretation Services
Do you speak languages commonly spoken in Afghanistan, such as Pashto and Dari? Please consider volunteering to help provide interpretation and translation services!
You can also donate Furniture and household items such as dishes and small appliances through Fresh Start in Hudson. There are some restrictions so please check their website.
You can also help to MOVE furniture selected by families, to their new homes!
For more information email Curt Logee who volunteers with South Acton Congregational Church’s
Mission Movers
Not ready to Start a NST? You can also JOIN ONE!
You can also consider working together with one or more other communities of faith to form a NST.