LYME/OLD LYME — The mission of the Refugee Resettlement Committee of Lyme/Old Lyme is to provide shelter and sustenance to families who need support due to a traumatic/catastrophic event that has forced them from their homes.
The committee was established in 2016 in response to the world-wide refugee crisis and co–sponsors with IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services based in New Haven). IRIS is a non-sectarian, non-profit refugee resettlement agency that has welcomed more than 5000 refugees to Connecticut since 1982.
The committee has recently welcomed an Afghan family to Old Lyme and, in its efforts to make Lyme and Old Lyme a welcoming, safe haven for displaced people, has sent out the following letter and asked us to publish it to reach a larger audience.
As many of you may know by now, an Afghan family of seven, including five young children, has started their new lives in America, right here in Old Lyme.
A month after their arrival, the father is enrolled in ESL classes and the children are in school and loving it.
As we have done successfully for four other refugee families, the Lyme/Old Lyme Refugee Resettlement Committee is working to support this family as it navigates the language, customs and laws in its new home. Imagine the learning curve from rural Afghanistan to Connecticut!
The family requires substantial resources and support by our volunteers. Refugees typically arrive with very little and we need to provide them with temporary housing, medical care, transportation, educational support, employment opportunities, as well as essential material items.
How can you help?
Donations of time (such as driving family members for shopping, or appointments) and, of course money are needed. All donations are tax deductible and can be made online or by check.
TO DONATE ONLINE: Visit this link on the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme website and select Refugee Resettlement from the Fund dropdown list.
TO DONATE BY MAIL: make your check payable to First Congregational Church of Old Lyme with Refugee Resettlement Committee in the memo line. Mail to P.O. Box 172 Old Lyme Ct. 06371
TO VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME: Email: j[email protected] with your contact information and we reach out to you with what’s needed.
We greatly appreciate any support you may provide.
Sincerely,
Kathy Kronholm & Cookie Staves
Co–Chairs Lyme/Old Lyme Refugee Resettlement Committee
Editor’s Note: The Refugee Resettlement Committee of Lyme/Old Lyme is an ecumenical organization formed by The First Congregational Church of Old Lyme with Christ the King Roman Catholic Church and Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church. Donations are tax deductible.