Here is the summer newsletter from Immanuel House of San Jose, one of our Social Justice Partners:
| As Friends of Immanuel House, you are no doubt aware of the urgent resettlement of thousands of Afghan refugees. The House is equipped to receive only single men, and indeed all our current residents are from Afghanistan. Some hold Special Immigrant Visas, which means they worked as interpreters or aides for the US military, but all are refugees and all are concerned about family members left behind. If you would like to help Immanuel House in particular, we have exhausted our supply of NEW twin-sized bedding (sheets, blankets, comforters or quilts) plus pillows and towels. We could use donations of any of these items. Please send a message to info@immanuelhousesj.org to request a time to drop off donations. Update September 1: IH has been blessed by an outpouring of sheets and blankets and doesn’t need more at this point. Donations to the San Jose IRC or Jewish Family Services helps local refugee resettlement. You can also donate online at http://www.immanuelhousesj.org/connect/sonrw-noq/ or by sending a check to: Immanuel House Refugee Project, Inc. PO Box 8061 San Jose, CA 95155 We work with two resettlement agencies, International Rescue Committee and Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, and they have more extensive needs as they are resettling families as well as individuals. Here are ways to donate to those organizations. International Rescue Committee Northern California: The IRC has offices in both Oakland and San Jose, and the organization has resettled more than 16,000 Afghan refugees through the Special Immigrant Visa program established by the U.S. in 2006, more than half of those in California, according to the IRC website. IRC Northern California is raising $150,000 toward its “Afghan Soft Landing Fund,” which will be used to cover emergency temporary housing costs, and rental and utility assistance for refugee families. Donate here. Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley: In the South Bay, the organization expects to resettle about 25 people from Afghanistan by the end of the month, according to a spokesperson. You can make donations through their Refugee Housing Fund page. Finally, we ask that you pray for our residents, their families, the people of Afghanistan, and all refugees seeking safe shelter. |