Dear First name / Great Neighbor, 

 

As we welcome the month of May, our Hello, Firsts! campaign is off and running! This week, we received HUGE news—and a first for us in a springtime fundraising campaign—an anonymous Great Neighbor has offered to match gifts made to the Hello, Firsts! campaign, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000! 

 

Doubling the impact of the Hello, Firsts! initiative means saying yes to more professional driving lessons for women who aspire to become self-sufficient, more children who want to attend summer camps, more gatherings and celebrations with our newcomer community that create belonging, and more costs covered for our staff who make these firsts possible. 

 

 

In this month's IN Short, you will find an important government update that affects our newcomer community and information about ways to stay informed about policies, court cases and executive orders that impact refugees and SIVS. You'll also read about Best of C-VILLE nominations, where to donate clothing and housewares to benefit newcomers, and dates for our final volunteer training before summer. 

 

From our team to your family, all the best this month of May!

Kari Anderson Miller, CEO and Founder + the Team of SHEroes

We have recently learned that SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits have ended as of April 30th for newcomers who have not yet received a green card. Refugees are required to apply for a green card (lawful permanent residence) one year after being admitted to the United States. However, the application process has been slowed significantly, affecting many of the newcomers we serve right here in Charlottesville.

 

A recent directive mandated a temporary hold on processing for many applicants, particularly those from a list of over 75 countries, as part of “enhanced security checks.” This severe backlog means that several newcomer families we know who applied for their green cards up to 3 years ago have not received them by no fault of their own. 

 

 

Thankfully, the state of Virginia is offering a continuation of SNAP benefits (state funded, not federally funded) but it will not begin until July 1st. We are working with our community partners in food distribution to ensure those affected receive food in May and June. 

 

 

Make a direct donation to Loaves & Fishes or the Emergency Food Network.

 

Sign up for the USA Hello newsletter to receive weekly summaries of the policies and court cases affecting our newcomer neighbors. 

 

Write your lawmakers and ask them to advocate for the refugees in Charlottesville who have lost their SNAP benefits and will lose Medicaid benefits in September if their green card applications remain unprocessed.

 

For many years, we have been honored to be nominated in Best of C-VILLE in the Nonprofit category. Last year, our Founder and CEO, Kari Miller, received Runner-Up in the Humanitarian/Activist category as well. Please take a moment to nominate our small but mighty organization led by a team of four SHEroes in these categories. In celebration of our 10th year, we'd be so grateful! 

 

While International Neighbors does not accept direct donations of clothing, housewares, sports equipment or furniture, we do partner with participating retail stores who offer vouchers for newcomer clients.

 

Earlysville Exchange accepts housewares, clothing, and small kitchen appliances. Each week, a newcomer family receives a $100 voucher to shop with dignity and choice.

 

Kid to Kid has an account open just for International Neighbors. Simply let them know you'd like the proceeds of your kids' clothing donation to go to IN.

 

Play it Again Sports also has an account for International Neighbors. Please tell them the proceeds of your sports equipment donation can go to IN.

 

Community Bikes is a community partner that offers free bicycles to all in need (with referral). Donate your used or outgrown bike to Community Bikes!