Refugee Assistance Update Sept 2021

refugee_committee_lg2

Dear Shomrei Friends,

Here are some major items for your careful consideration. We realize there is a lot here, but there is a lot of need.

1) The Westfield Fun Club has informed us that many of the refugee families that both they and Shomrei have been assisting were severely affected by Hurricane Ida. The apartment complex where they live in Elizabeth was badly flooded and many have lost most of their belongings and cars. They have now been displaced and are being housed in temporary shelters and hotels by the Red Cross. The Fun Club is working with the IRC to help them begin the long and difficult process of dealing with FEMA and the state. If you would like to help, please consider making a financial donation to Temple Emanu-El, 756 East Broad Street, Westfield, NJ 07090, and earmark the funds for the Westfield Fun Club. In addition, one family is without any clothes or shoes. If you have the following, please contact the Fun Club at email hidden; JavaScript is required. All clothes should be washed, folded and neatly packed. Please donate like you are giving a family member the clothes.

Women’s Medium Clothes (Shirts, pants, leggings, jeans)
Women Small Clothes (shirts, pants, leggings, jeans)
Women Size Shoes 8
Women Size Shoes 9
Women’s underwear
Women’s Pajamas (Small and Medium)
Bath Soap
Sanitary Napkins

2) Please remember that we are conducting a drive to collect needed household items for newly arrived Afghan families. We have collection boxes in the Shomrei lobby for the following new (preferred) or very gently used items:

Bath Towels
Hand towels
Washcloth
Kitchen towels
Pot holders
Twin bed sheet sets

If you prefer, you can use the following Amazon Wishlist to order the items online and have them delivered directly to Shomrei’s Refugee Assistance Group: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3NFGP0AIC9NBQ?ref_=wl_share. Please be sure to select Refugee Assistance Group’s Gift Registry Address as the delivery address.

3) We will also be partnering with the Westfield Fun Club to help the Afghan families. We expect that the most pressing needs will be housing, furniture, clothing and other in-kind donations. We do not know the specific needs at this time (and don’t have storage space), but if you have furniture and clothes you wish to donate, we ask that you hold on to them for the time being and we will let you know when and how to donate when needed.

4) There are several opportunities to assist students of refugee families in the Elizabeth area. If you are interested in helping in any of the following programs, please contact the Westfield Fun Club (email hidden; JavaScript is required):

  • The Westfield Tutors offer virtual tutoring to students on Saturday mornings. If you are interested in helping, the Fun Club will pass along your information.
  • Last year the Fun Club offered a homework buddy program during the week and hopes to continue the program this year. It simply entails being on call for a student who is struggling with that day’s homework assignment. This is great for teachers and older adults, as well as high school students. If you’d like to be added to this list, please contact the Fun Club.
    SAT/ACT prep – If you are able to tutor for the SAT/ACT exam, please contact the Fun Club. They have several 11th and 12th grade students who are getting ready for the exam.
    Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

We wish you a Shanah Tovah.

Regards,
Judith, Mike, and Andy

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