You may recall that UCE made a contribution from Endowment Funds last summer to help support Chalice House, a home associated with Countryside UU Church, which was made available for a family seeking asylum. Here is some holiday news from them, which we hope will warm your season. Please note that if you would like, there is an opportunity for individual donations for Christmas. (See below.)
Thank You from the Immigrant Solidarity Team.
Family Update and Christmas
We are happy to report that the family thoroughly enjoyed their Thanksgiving meal and was very grateful for the generous gift card to Eurofresh grocery. Thanks to all who contributed.
We’re hoping to make the Chalice House family’s first holiday season in the United States extra special, and we’d love your help and holiday spirit!
The family, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, celebrates Christmas, and the mentor team would like to provide them with some holiday cookies, a Christmas Eve and Christmas morning meal, and a few gifts. For more details, please visit this SignUpGenius. Donations of just a few dollars will help make their spirits bright.
“Nothing short of astounding”
As you have no doubt noticed, immigration is in the news a lot lately. On the positive side, a recent court ruling reinstated the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; and President-elect Biden has pledge to renew and expand DACA protections and raise the refugee limit SEVENFOLD to 125,00 per year.
However, the need for community housing such as Chalice House will likely increase as a result of Biden’s pledge to rescind the “Remain in Mexico” program – which has tens of thousands of migrants with asylum claims at the U.S. – Mexico border, some living in tent cities that resemble refugee camps.
News like this only makes us more grateful than ever to know that with your support, we are able to provide one family with a home where they are safe and secure, and can work their way towards independence. The Community Housing model is a good one. In fact, on a recent update call, the case manager from ICDI (Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants) said that what he’s seeing with the family in Chalice House is “nothing short of astounding.”
With that, we wish you a peaceful holiday season, and a healthy, happy new year.