From: CWS Lancaster <sgromek@cwsglobal.org>
Date: Wed, Jul 3, 2019 at 12:25 PM
Subject: CWS Lancaster: July Newsletter
To: info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>
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Dear Friends and Supporters of Refugees and Immigrants, As the situation at the US and Mexico border continues on, an image so devastating was circulated world wide. Please take a moment and read CWS' National and Local position on the situation below: With Deep Sorrow, CWS Holds Administration Responsible for the Drowning of a Toddler and Her Father Washington D.C. - Rev. John L. McCullough, President and CEO of CWS, a faith-based humanitarian organization that represents 30 million Christians across the United States through 37 Protestant, Anglican, and Orthodox communions, issued the following response to the shocking image of a father and his young child who drowned while trying to reach safety in the United States: "23-month-old Valeria was still tucked into her father Oscar Alberto Martinez Ramirez's shirt when their bodies were discovered on the banks of the Rio Grande on Monday. A photograph of the two has sparked sorrow and outrage across the globe. Something is profoundly wrong with our nation's laws when vulnerable families fleeing insecurity die at our doorstep." Sheila Mastropietro, Director of CWS' Lancaster Office says: "This haunting photograph of father and child evokes memories of the 3-year old Syrian boy, Aylan Kurdi, whose body washed up on a beach in Turkey after his family's failed attempt to escape the war in Syria. Even if these two were the only deaths caused by the Administration's policy of turning asylum seekers back to Mexico, it would be two too many. We aren't advocating for open borders, far from it. But our government needs to show compassion and come up with a humanitarian solution to the crisis at our southern border." Tania Vanessa Ávalos did not lose her husband and daughter to the Rio Grande, she lost them because this administration enacted policies that are designed to dehumanize migrants, project cruelty, and make a dangerous journey even more deadly. Make no mistake - this administration's policies are designed to have this precise impact. I am reminded of the poem "Home" by Warsan Shire, and struck by these words "no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark… you have to understand, no one puts their children in a boat, unless the water is safer than the land." This horrific photograph underscores what is already clear: if families are willing to risk their safety to seek protection in the United States, it must mean the only other option is near certain death. The time for radical compassion is now. We demand that Congress stop the administration's intentionally deadly anti-asylum and anti-immigrant policies. Stop turning away asylum seekers. Stop separating families. Stop detaining children. Stop militarizing the border. We need policies that affirm each person's humanity and treat all children the way we would treat our own and not leave them to die in the desert or force them to risk their lives in the river. In this moment, we will be judged by how we treat migrants at our doorstep. I pray we choose life over death." Please call your elected officials today and lift for your voice for those who have been silenced. In Solidarity, Sheila Mastropietro, and the CWS Lancaster Team  World Refugee Day Weekend of Events: Thank YOU! Pictured: Team Central America, 2019 CWS Soccer Champions Thank you to everyone who came out to our weekend of events in honor of World Refugee Day! To the players and to those who cheered on our teams, as well as to those who joined us at the Concert for Refugees and Immigrants, we are so grateful for your presence and your support. And a big congratulations to our 2019 CWS Soccer Champions, Team Central America! We hope to see you again next year!  Congratulations to Christine Baer on her promotion to East Coast Faith Community Organizer! Christine is officially transitioning into her new role, and we are accepting applications to fill her position. In her new role, Christine will be providing leadership and direction for faith community outreach among the East Coast refugee resettlement offices. We are thrilled for Christine, and ask that you join us in congratulating her on this new journey! Christine will be working from the Lancaster office, but will be serving the East Coast Region.  A warm welcome to all of our new staff joining us throughout our programs! Joining us this month are Case Aides Katelyn Philips, Christina DiCola, Paul Fundi, and Jilly Waso; Matt Johnson, Refugee Community Organizer; Jermey Hayes, Housing Specialist; and Haleigh Whitney, Communications Specialist with Volunteer Engagement Duties. We are thrilled to have them on board and excited for all that they will bring to our office.  We are hiring! Interested in joining the CWS Team? We are now hiring for Staff Attorney, Workplace ESL Instructors, and a Community Resource Developer. Click here to see all openings and to learn more about employment opportunities at CWS. Seeking fall interns! CWS is now accepting applications for fall semester internships in the areas of Refugee Resettlement, Refugee Employment, Communications Fundraising and Development, Refugee Health, and Immigration and Legal Services. Click here to learn more about our internships and how to apply.   Do you have a computer or computer accessories you no longer use? Computers for Refugees accepts gently used PCs and PC accessories and refurbishes them to outfit immigrants and refugees with quality computers. Check out their Facebook page or email stu.metzler@gmail.com or dgingrichesl@gmail.com for more information.  CWS is currently seeking landlords of a 5-6 Bedroom home for a mid-July arrival. Please contact housing@cwsglobal.org if you or someone you know has a property available. Want to make a donation? Consider donating any of the items from our Wish List on Amazon. With so many newly arriving families, we are looking to refill our stock. Your donation will be put to good use! Have questions? Let's talk! If you have a question about an opportunity to volunteer, send us an email! Did you know that we have a language interpretation and translation program? Language Beyond Borders is our newest service program! Are you thinking about planned giving or stock designation? We would be happy to talk. While you're here, would you make a recurring donation? Are you a business owner and want to know more of how to become an event sponsor? Let's be in touch!
CWS Lancaster 308 East King Street Lancaster, PA 17602 |
