We are happy to announce that Neila, Vlad, and three of their family members have moved into an apartment!  Through the generosity of BWC members and our friends and family members, the seven-room apartment was fully outfitted with furnishings and household goods.  The landlords are from immigrant families themselves, and they have been responsive and supportive.  Together with volunteers who have been supporting the other three family members, our committee members helped with cleaning and unpacking.  On moving day, we were fortunate to have a team of movers who volunteered their time and truck to transport and schlep the large items up to the second and third floors of the building. The apartment is close to public transportation, as needed for daily commutes.  The family is enjoying settling in to their new home.

At the end of January, Diana traveled to Cuba and had the pleasure of meeting Mirian, and her brother, in person.  Two suitcases filled with items requested by Mirian for her family, were delivered to them.  Although Mirian is disappointed that her application for Humanitarian Parole did not result in permission to travel to the U.S., she is grateful for the support we have been able to provide. 

The IJC is taking a couple of weeks to consider our next initiatives.  A Zoom meeting is scheduled for March 3 from 6:00-7:30 to brainstorm our next steps.  If you are interested in attending this meeting, please contact us at ijc@circleboston.org.  There is much that volunteers can do to assist immigrants who are here in the Boston area.  Currently, our committee has only five active members, and, if there is interest, we are hoping to identify tasks that would be of interest to a larger group of volunteers.

In the meantime, we are committed to housing immigrants in the affordable apartment in Jamaica Plain provided by one of our members.  A Ugandan mother and her 18-month-old are currently in the apartment for a short stay.  The mom is pregnant and due to deliver in mid-March, when she and her children will be eligible for other supported housing.  Volunteers from BIJAN (Boston Immigrant Justice Accompaniment Network) have been supporting this family and will continue to do so while she is in the apartment.