October 27, 2021
Dear Members and Friends:
We’d like to welcome YOU to Refugee Welcome! We’re the nuts-and-bolts congregational task force behind a new outreach ministry for UUCville. Our trained Mentors will deal directly with and visit “our” refugee family, and our Planners will coordinate our work behind the scenes.
A number of recent international refugees — individuals, couples or families from Afghanistan or other troubled places — will soon be arriving in Charlottesville. The IRC (International Refugee Committee) will secure their lodging and has chosen UUCville as an approved sponsoring organization. Our first goal in supporting “our” family is to ensure that their apartment is ready, furnished and welcoming. We may have very short notice once they’re released from current quarantine, so we’re calling on the whole UUCville congregation now to respond to this drive for donations. The exact configuration of the people we’ll support may not be revealed until close to their arrival, but we’ll update you on more specific needs as we learn them, especially children’s needs.
Here’s what we already know will be needed:
- We’ll begin fundraising at the Sunday Service on November 7th. We need to raise $5,000 to subsidize their rent for a few months until they can find employment. We also need to buy mattresses and some essentials. If you’re able to help, please send your check to UUCville with “Refugee Welcome” in the memo line. CLICK HERE TO MAKE A FINANCIAL DONATION
- Our most urgent practical need is for a temporary STORAGE SPACE for the donated items. Do you have garage space free for a limited period? An unfilled storage unit with room to spare? Would you be able to cover the rent for a storage unit for a limited time?
- Our new family will need furniture and household items. Please leave the following lightly-used or new household and personal items (other than furniture) on the Summit House porch, labeled REFUGEES. We will receive furniture and other large-item donations at the storage space. Send details to refugeewelcome@uucharlottesville.org. Duplicate donations will go to the UUCville Yard Sale.
CLICK HERE for the Household Items and Furnishings list.
There will be a variety of other needs that our welcoming community can help to fill. Please rely on the messages and updates from UUCville newsletters and on our website to learn what you can do or donate. The good news is that every person at UUCville can make a difference! This is a very meaningful outreach ministry and we are grateful for the opportunity.
Please stay tuned to UUCville communications about what’s next and what’s needed.
In love and in welcome,
Refugee Welcome Task Force refugeewelcome@uucharlottesville.org
Planning Team
Elizabeth Breeden
Laura Wallace
Sandy Brooks
Kate Soderman
Susan Salko
May Guenin
Mentoring Team
Cathy Lawder
Lara & Breck Gastinger
Burnie Davis
Clarisse & Kendall Repass
Mary Beth Wiley
May Guenin
Beth Jaeger Landis
Regina White & Matt Fichter
Maggie Record
Stacy Bowling
Fran Clark