Post-Election LexRAP News!

Dear LexRAP volunteers, supporters, and friends,

The winds of change are blowing – both in national politics and with LexRAP! We will be taking a break from our monthly LexRAP Zoom meetings until after the New Year as we rethink the format of how, going forward, it makes sense to keep people informed and engaged. We don't know how the next administration will deal with refugee issues and it makes sense to take a breath and wait. Currently, we have 83 people we are involved with and are supporting – 49 children and 34 adults -- all either arrived here as refugees or have filed for and are seeking asylum. We will continue our support for these folks. Please check in at our website www.lexrap.org on occasion for latest news and volunteer opportunities.

Meanwhile, last month marked the "pilot launch" of the Hand-In-Hand Carry Out Cafe, the continuation of an effort begun in the Fall of 2018, sponsored by LexRAP (Refugee Assistance Program) and hosted at First parish Church in Lexington. The Hand-in-Hand Carry Out Cafe features the same wonderful cooks and delicious food prepared in accordance with Massachusetts Covid guidelines for restaurants. The goal remains - to offer delicious, complete meals to our community that are cooked by refugee women who are paid for their effort and talents. Our pilot dinners in October were promoted only to the LexRAP Steering Committee and to Congregants of First Parish Church. Everything went smoothly and we're ready to invite the community-at-large to enjoy these dinners. The food has been consistently excellent and all of the dinners, thus far, have been sold out!

Tickets for the next three dinners can be ordered for $19.50 (plus service fee) through Eventbrite (URLs listed below) or by going to www.LexRAP.org landing page, where you can learn more about this great organization before placing your dinner order. The drive-through, no touch, pickup times/location is explained on Eventbrite order form. Each meal consists of an Entree plus Rice Pilaf, Fatoush or Tabbouleh Salad, Hummus, pita, and a dessert).

Make your next carry out experience something a little more exotic and delicious! And one that also supports our local refugee community.

ALSO - please consider helping LexRAP continue the Hand in Hand Project by volunteering your time. You can click on the SignUpGenius link below to help us with grocery shopping, food prep, and/or (especially) transportation for our chefs to and from the Church. We need great volunteers like you!

Thanks for your support of this wonderful program. And stay safe!

AGENCY CONTACT INFO

De Novo (formerly called CLSACC) provides free civil legal assistance and affordable psychological counseling for people with low incomes. ASYLUM: Immigrants who have fled their home country because of past persecution or fear of persecution because of race, religion, gender, nationality, social group or political views may be eligible to apply for asylum. De Novo has free walk in legal clinic where people can talk to immigration lawyers on the 3rd Wednesday from 5:15 to 7:15PM. https://www.denovo.org/

Mission of Deeds Provides beds, furniture, and household essentials free of charge for people in need. Accepts donations of household goods and financial. http://www.missionofdeeds.org/

Household Goods
Provides a full range of donated furniture and household items, free of charge, to help people in need make a home. Staffed by volunteers, depends on the generosity of community members for goods, time and financial support. Please support us so that together we can continue to help people make a home during their time of greatest need. https://householdgoods.org/

Political Asylum/Immigration Representation (PAIR) Project provides free legal services to asylum seekers and promotes the rights of detained immigrants.

https://www.pairproject.org/

Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program (HIRC), in partnership with Greater Boston Legal Services has focused on direct representation of individuals applying for U.S. asylum and related protections. https://hls.harvard.edu/dept/clinical/clinics/harvard-immigration-and-refugee-clinical-program/

International Institute of New England (IINE) Resettles refugees in Lowell, Manchester and elsewhere in N.E. and offers on-going services such as ESL and support. A lot going on! Suitcase Stories, Annual Gala and more. https://iine.org

Catholic Charities has been providing services to refugees for more than 100 years. https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/our-ministry/immigration-refugee-services/

Ascentria resettles refugees and is the only agency that resettles unaccompanied minors in New England. https://www.ascentria.org/

NuDaySyria focuses on women and children and brings humanitarian aid inside Syria and to displaced Syrians in the bordering areas around Syria. http://www.nudaysyria.net/

Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM) One of the few organizations to provide support to asylum seekers. Volunteer opportunities for mentors and ESL teachers. http://www.r-i-m.net/