Dear Neighbors,
Among the 46 states welcoming refugees, Vermont has received approval to welcome 100 Afghans to our communities through the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) Vermont Afghan Placement & Assistance program. In addition, Vermont's newest resettlement agency, the Ethiopian Community Development Council (ECDC), has also applied to resettle an additional 25 Afghans in Brattleboro, where they have opened a new field office. Initially, the first families to arrive will be settled by USCRI in Chittenden County, and as the numbers of arrivals grow, families will also likely be settled in Rutland.
I have received many inquiries from Vermonters seeking to assist with the resettlement process and support for our new neighbors. This is an incredible testament to the strength and power of our community, and the lessons we have learned from being a long-standing refugee resettlement site here in Chittenden County. I thank you all for everything you've done thus far to create welcoming spaces for all Vermonters, and I want to express particular gratitude to the refugee and immigrant leaders who have already enriched and strengthened our communities.
In order to help folks learn more about refugee resettlement and assisting asylum seekers, we will be hosting a Zoom Town Hall on Tuesday, October 19 from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.
The conversation will include an update on the current refugee resettlement programs, Afghan arrivals in Vermont, employer support for refugee workers, and guidance on getting involved in our state's response. It will include introductory remarks from US Senator Patrick Leahy, and a panel discussion featuring Tracy Dolan, Director of the State Refugee Office; Amila Merdzanovic, Director of USCRI Vermont; Joe Wiah, Director of the ECDC Multicultural Community Center; and Michele Asch, Vice President of Leadership and Organizational Development at Twincraft Skincare.
We hope you will join us. Please register here to access the Zoom link:
Topic: Refugee Resettlement Town Hall
Time: Oct 19, 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM ET
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkcO2vrTouGtwmsTc8nU3KVKwp-BgqQptt
Note: We will also be streaming this event live at www.facebook.com/KeshaRamVT
As a state, we find ourselves in a unique moment to really think about how we welcome and support new Vermonters, not just in the next few months, but moving forward. For many, this is a moment to think ahead about the infrastructure, housing, programs, and networks needed to ensure that everyone is able to thrive in our state. For others, it is time to reflect on community, what it means to be a Vermonter, and how we can ensure that everyone is able to find a place here.
As we move forward and Afghans begin arriving to safety in our Green Mountain State, let's remember that refugees get to hold gratitude, sorrow, and loss all at the same time. They don't owe us instant patriotism or hard work. They are human beings who survived endless war and trauma and are now tasked with rebuilding their lives from scratch. Please, stay kind as we extend a welcoming hand to our new neighbors.
All the best,
Kesha
P.S. If you aren't able to join us for the Housing and Homeownership Forum on Oct 14 and would like to access the recording, or if we've reached Zoom meeting capacity and you'd like to tune in live at 5:30 pm, please visit www.facebook.com/KeshaRamVT to watch.
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