Help Still Needed for Local Haitian
Immigrants
Originally,
Homeland Security closed the border September 22 to any more Haitians entering
the US. However, without notice or preparation, they began releasing
Haitians again on Veterans Day weekend. 75 showed up at Christ
Ministry Center on Thanksgiving, and an average of 40 a day since then.
Due to a
City inspection, Christ Ministry Center can "shelter" only six due to
zoning regulations and code. So we are having to tell these new arrivals they
cannot stay here. We have provided shelter under our portico during the recent
rain and cold weather.
What we need
most are funds to get us through the end of the year. We have two staff members
who are continuing to work with the Haitians in helping them with what we can
do (provide food, clothing, transportation, etc.) Food donations are welcome.
We are OK on clothes for now. Diapers, wipes and hygiene items are always in
demand.
Contact
Christ Ministry Center for details on how to assist.
Syrian Refugee Crisis In San Diego
San Diego
has the largest group of new Syrian Americans in the United States! The
families arriving are among the most traumatized and least educated. However
they have skills in building, upholstering and other trades. They do not speak
English.
We need
English teachers! The local ADC (American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee)
San Diego chapter wants to help formalize a list of individuals who can be
recruited to help with this crisis. Why is it a crisis? Because the numbers are
great, and if we do nothing, an entire generation of new Americans will be
falling far behind.
There are
over 200 families and about 1500 individuals who must learn English as a first
step to getting their driver's permits and licenses, and finding jobs. The
first step is to learn English.
There are
programs geared to teaching English and helping these new Americans get on
their feet. However, the new Syrian Americans often have to go to a community
centers and offices without adequate transportation.
The ADC
along with others such as PANA (Partnership for the Advancement of New
Americans), and Professor Ziad from UCSD are working to teach English and to
recruit individuals who may be interested. The ADC hopes to offer an
orientation about how a buddy system could work. This may entail an Arab
American accompanying non-Arab Americans for the initial visits. We are
continuing to shape it. Currently, the teachers are mostly Arab and meeting at
community centers. Transportation issues have been the main obstacle, but
having more hands on deck is another goal.
If you are
interested in teaching English, driving Syrians to English lessons, or going to
their homes to teach them directly with a buddy, let me know, and I will add
your name to this auxiliary team.
Thank you
for considering this request to guide our newest Americans. It's a great Winter
Solstice, Other Pagan, Christmas, Chanukah, and New Year goodwill
activity. Consider adding yourself to the ranks of champions who will at the
same time insulate these vulnerable people from what our new president's
agenda.
Doris
Bittar, ADC San Diego, President
619 787-8505
doris.bittar@gmail.com
doris.bittar@gmail.com
Sultan and the Saint
Movie
screening, January 7, 7 pm
With the
rise of new forms of extremism across the Middle East and North Africa,
Christians and Muslims around the world are facing a media narrative that pits
both communities against one another. FAN is excited to be partnering with
Muslim film production company Unity Productions Foundation (UPF) to bring
about a film that will serve as a counter-narrative to inspire Muslims,
Christians, and others to take risks for peace and greater understanding.
In 1219, in
the midst of the disastrous Fifth Crusade, Francis crossed enemy lines to gain
an audience with al-Kamil, the sultan of Egypt. Francis, who opposed the
warfare, hoped to bring about peace by converting the sultan to Christianity.
He didn’t succeed, but came away from the peaceful encounter with revolutionary
ideas that called for Christians to live harmoniously with Muslims. Thus began
a relationship between the two that lasted the rest of their lives, each man
risking his life to promote peace between their faiths. This story, which is
well known among Franciscans, has mainly, until now, been told from the
Christian perspective. UPF had the idea for producing a live action docu-drama
from the Muslim perspective and approached FAN for some Franciscan experts in
this area to include.
January 7, 2017,
6:30 refreshments, 7 pm movie
St. Thomas More Catholic
Church
1450 S Melrose Dr,
Oceanside, CA 92056
For More info Call Issam
(760) 681-0755 or Regina (760) 295-5530
Less Than 2 Months Until Registration
Begins
North
American Interfaith Network in San Diego
If you have
not yet pre-registered for the 2017 NAIN ‘Connect’ conference in San Diego,
there are only 330 spaces left!
170 people
have signed up from Nigeria, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Canada,
Mexico and throughout the United States.
The 4-day
event, August 6-10, 2017 at UCSD in San Diego, will attract 500 people from
over 20 faiths who will come to dialogue with those who seek HARMONY in their
lives, their community, and beyond. Don’t be left out!
Save your
space by pre-registering at: www.powayinterfaithteam.com/NAIN
Rev. Dr.
Stephen Albert, 2017 Conference Chair, revsteve.afc@outlook.com
CCSA Christmas Programs
Community
Christian Service Agency
You are
invited to become a Sponsor for a family, donate items for the Homeless Gift Bags, or make an "extra" Christmas Food basket that CCSA will
give to clients in need before Christmas. The sign up form is on
the CCSA website, www.ccsasandiego.org.
Please consider supporting this major outreach to those in need. You can truly make a difference with your participation! We thank you for the support you already have given to the mission of CCSA and want you to know we are blessed to have that support.
Please consider supporting this major outreach to those in need. You can truly make a difference with your participation! We thank you for the support you already have given to the mission of CCSA and want you to know we are blessed to have that support.
858-274-2273
Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Need
Your Help!
For every
child who seeks refuge we welcome them, and in doing so we have made a
commitment to find loving families that can be sources of mercy, safety and
support. And we also believe that a foster family, in particular, is in a
unique position to provide refugee children and youth the hope and healing they
deserve.
For every
child who seeks refuge we welcome them, and in doing so we have made a
commitment to find loving families that can be sources of mercy, safety and
support. Children seeking refuge have often lost contact with their own
families through displacement, war, persecution or family death.
At
Crittenton you are welcome to take part in our mission by sharing your
friendship, time or family with children who need it the most:
Become a
Foster Parent
Donate to
Help Refugee Youth
Refer Us to
Friends Interested in Being a Foster Family
We believe
that a foster family, in particular, is in a unique position to provide refugee
children and youth the hope and healing they deserve. Culturally
sensitive families, and individuals with a second language provide an extra
support to these youth, coming from varying African countries, the Middle-East,
Central America and Asia.
Please
consider becoming a foster parent for these youth.
Contact Crittenton
Services for more information at:
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