Some of the Colombian migrants are pictured moving furniture to welcome new neighbors who have come to Jamestown are pictured.
Submitted photo
The New Neigbors Coaliton will celebrate World Refugee Day at 7 p.m. today.
The coalition has worked over the past year to help prepare the community to welcome new neighbors from abroad. Throughout this time, the coalition has studied the role that new immigrants have played in the economic and cultural Renaissance happening in Buffalo and other cities and we had many conversations with Journey’s End Refugee Resettlement agency. At the end of December Journey’s End decided to open a satellite office in Jamestown, which is currently housed in donated space at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
In the last couple of weeks the work has escalated as we have begun to welcome the first new families through Journey’s End who are settling into the community and readying themselves to contribute to the community.
Several of the coalition’s sub-committees are looking for volunteers and material support to develop a network to collectively build the future of our city and region. Some of our immediate needs include:
¯ A location to receive, sort and store donated furniture and household items (about 2,000 square feet that is accessible to a 14-foot box truck). Contact Andy Dickson: adickson3@stny.rr.com.
¯ Able-bodied volunteers who are willing to help move furniture from time to time. Contact Andy Dickson
¯ Landlords interested in providing housing. Contact Kasie Foulk: foulk@jamestownny.gov.
¯ Individuals who are willing to assist with English language acquisition and cultural education with Literacy Volunteers of Chautauqua County (www.prendergastlibrary.org/literacy) Contact Ruth Wahl: rtw4748@gmail.com.
¯ Employers interested in partnering with us. Contact Andy Johnson andy14701@yahoo.com.
¯ Church and/or community groups willing to sponsor a family. Contact Luke Fodor: luke.fodor@stlukesjamestown.org.
Those unable to help physically but who want to make a donation to the work can contribute to a fund set up at the Chautauqua Regional Community Foundation. Visit bit.ly/NewNeighborsCo to contribute.
For general points of inquiry and to stay connected, follow www.facebook.com/NewNeighborsCoalition or call the St. Luke’s office at 716-483-6405.
