| USCRI Vermont January 2022 Newsletter |
| Happy 2022! As of the first week of January, USCRI Vermont has welcomed 100 Afghan arrivals, and we’re expecting at least 60 Afghans and 280 refugees by fall 2022. Overall, the families and individuals who arrived in Vermont as a part of Afghan resettlement are doing well and many have moved into permanent housing, begun securing jobs, enrolling in school, getting learner permits, connecting with the community, and getting to know their new neighbors throughout the state. The outpouring of support by Vermonters both in terms of monetary donations, in-kind goods, and volunteer support has been incredible. We’d like to thank all our amazing volunteers, host families, public leaders, and business partners for your steadfast support. We want to recognize our dedicated staff for giving a warm welcome to every new arrival and, most importantly, for helping people see a future of possibilities. None of this would be possible without an amazing community of local and statewide supporters – Thank you! |
| Housing Needed for Afghan and Refugee Families |
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| Community Food Relief Partnership |
We want to thank our partners Feeding Chittenden, the Vermont Food Bank, the Islamic Society of Vermont, and the People’s Kitchen for providing culturally appropriate food boxes, grocery store gift cards, and warm meals over the last two months to new Afghan arrivals and refugees resettling in Vermont. This new collaboration allows us to better meet the specific food needs of New Vermonters while helping families with home-based cooking and securing ingredients for traditional recipes.  We look forward to expanding this partnership into 2022 to include local restaurants and food businesses interested in helping provide a wider variety of meals and potential job training and work opportunities to our clients. And a big thank you to everyone who has donated grocery store gift cards for new arrivals and refugee families over the last weeks – Your generous support makes this all possible! |
| January is Human Trafficking Prevention Month |
| As part of Human Trafficking Prevention Month, USCRI and a panel of guest speakers will be discussing implementation gaps in child and youth trafficking policy on Thursday, Jan. 27th at 11am EST. Please register for the webinar here: https://us06web.zoom.us/…/reg…/WN_osy3Ve97SIyWMhWVDCA1Kw |
| In-kind Donations Needs Lists |
| Thank you to all our in-kind donors and everyone who has contacted us to offer clothes, household items, furniture, and other essentials over the last weeks to help Afghan allies and refugees. Below is a reference list of the in-demand items and things we’re currently accepting, and a list of things we have lots of and currently aren’t accepting. If you have items you’d like to donate, contact us at 802-655-1963 or email vrrp@uscrivt.org – Thank you! We request items be LIKE-NEW CONDITION (something you would gift to a friend). We also need gift cards to grocery stores and department stores. URGENT NEEDS: New Bed Pillows, Full size beds, Bunk Beds and Youth Beds, Comforters of all sizes (except king) – NO RIPS OR STAINS (PLEASE LABEL SIZES BEFORE DROPPING OFF), Foam Mattress Pads (twin size only), Nightstands, Wood Cleaning Supplies for floors and tables, Deodorant, Swiffers (we are currently set on Swiffer supplies but are missing the device itself), Brooms & Dustpans, Laundry Baskets, Cereal containers, 5 gallon bucket with lid for food storage (BRAND NEW ONLY), Clothes hangers, Covered large trash bins for the kitchen, Doormats, Boot trays More Supply Needs: Large cutting boards, Trash bags, Windex, Hand soap, Working vacuums, Laundry detergent, Rice cookers, Large sets of flatware, Good quality can openers, Shampoo (for variety of hair types), Scissors, Combs, Sponges, Floss, Twin size box springs, Side tables, Coffee tables, Dressers, Matching dining room chair sets (5+ only), Living room chairs/side chairs, Shower curtain hooks, Pack-n-Play, Rugs (for living rooms and hallways) Not needed (temporarily): Clothes (winter wear included), Dishes with metallics on them, Car seats, Toilet paper, Light bulbs, Paper towels, Bed linens, Towels, Full/Queen size box springs, Sofas, Lamps, Any kitchenware aside from the ones listed in the priority list |
| USCRI Vermont is Hiring! |
 For a full job description, how to apply, and for other job openings click on this link. |
| A Warm Welcome for New Afghan Arrivals |
 A huge thank you to the students of East Montpelier Elementary School for their incredible generosity and inspiring creativity with their packets of personal care items, toys, and household essentials to welcome new Afghan arrivals and families. USCRI Vermont is distributing the packets to families over the next few weeks and is excited to pass on the amazing artwork and the warm welcome from East Montpelier Elementary School!  |
| Free Basic English Class |
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| USCRI Vermont Needs Volunteers! |
| We will be hosting an online Volunteer Orientation on Zoom on Wed, Jan 19th at 12:30pm and Thurs, Jan 20th at 5:30pm. To access the Zoom link, email: volunteer@uscrivt.org. Volunteer Opportunities include: Family Friend English Tutor Youth Mentor Administrative assistant In-Kind Donations (pick up or organize)  Transportation (client appointments) Intern Apartment Set Up |
| Free Citizenship Prep Classes |
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| Your Donation Makes a Difference |
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| Thank You to All Our Donors & Supporters! |
| Happy 2022 to everyone and a big Thank You to all of our donors and ongoing supporters who make the services and programs we offer possible, including the Ben and Jerry’s Foundation, the Francis and Louise Nichols Foundation, the Bernard F. and Mary A. Powell Foundation, Caledonia Spirits, the Adelard A. and Velada Lea Roy Foundation, the George L. Mergens Foundation, Albert and Candace Staton, American Endowment Foundation, Benjamin Carlson, Combined Jewish Philanthropies, Stephen Warnke, Jessica Agnew Blais, ImpactAssets, the Vermont Community Foundation, Marianne Stephan, the Robert F. Hunsicker Foundation, Pallas and Chris Ziporyn, Taylor Ricketts, Jewish Communal Fund, Marcella Gange, Keith Epstein, Brian Lloyd-Newberry, Hoyle-Tanner LLC, Lake Region Union Elementary Middle School, North Country Federal Credit Union, Bullrock Corporation, the First Baptist Church of Burlington, Don Leibowitz, Evergreen Family Health Partners, Erik Leo, David Shiman, Daniel Chang, Aerodyme Corporation, Charlotte Kennedy, Elise Guyette, Jessie Reynolds, Susan and Bob Titterton, Hannah Beach Brown, Lisa Gardner, Mitchell Norotsky, Ilona Blanchard, East Montpelier Elementary School, the Second Congregational Church of the United Church of Christ, Grand Isle Take Action, Jennie Walczyk, Janis Comb, Water Investment Division – VTDEC, Jonathan Gibson, Richard and Carol Suitor, Soccer Shelburne, Elizabeth Smith, Cathy Rude and Mark Kennedy, Christ Church Parish, Jessie Klein Seret, G. David Gantor, Renee & Adam Greenlee, United Church of Colchester, Bridport Congregational Church, Essex Middle School, and the many generous donors, businesses, faith-based organizations, community groups, and supporters who have dropped off dozens of beds, furniture, food donations, gift cards, and sent us packages of needed household items for our families and new arrivals. Click on the Donate Now button below to contribute on our webpage. Thank You! Donate Now |