CVRAN

Current Stories

March 25, 2025

Dear CVRAN Community,

What has happened in the last month within our own organization? How do we continue to try to meet new and difficult circumstances? This doesn’t seem a time for an essay, but for a few sample stories.

• A Haitian family of 3 was too scared to travel to Vermont for fear of being apprehended on the way. Our proposed host family and volunteer team are re-adjusting to help in other ways, but we regret there is so much perceived danger in our country.
• A cry for help from the No Person Left Behind (an organization of veterans trying to get out Afghans who worked with the U.S. government) resulted in the Board scrambling to receive a family and a single woman, within a several day window. In the end, neither chose to come to Vermont after all, but an Afghan mother and daughter have come, and a team formed for them. Another Dari speaker already here has been a big part of welcoming them.
• A man in detention is now out on bond thanks to the concerted efforts of an immigration lawyer at the Criminal Justice Reform Clinic of the Vermont Law School and the family team from CVRAN. This is the first hurdle in many for this man, but well worth celebrating. He is re-united with his family after 6 weeks away; his amazing employer held his job, took Valentine flowers to his wife in his absence, wrote a letter of support to the judge, attended the court hearing, and is now planning a celebration party. The family team has been equally busy. Mom has done a wonderful job of holding down the fort. In the legal process, we have all become more aware of examples of other people picked up for very little to no cause, even persons with green cards.
• Worried by tragic stories, we are working to have immigrant families name legal guardians for any of their American born children in the event of the deportation of the rest of the family. Otherwise, those American children are put into permanent DCF custody. We also join in concern for the safety of adults. A generous volunteer is organizing a printing of “know your rights” cards in multiple languages which will be shared with asylum seekers and refugees from CVRAN and more broadly. These cards explain how to refuse ICE entry into one’s home, parts of the workplace, or car. The Montpelier schools have shared their policies for keeping students safe. Some neighbors have asked how they can be a positive presence for New Vermonters on their street. With other state asylum groups, we are discussing what rapid response networks look like. We want to be aware of not only the needs of our own CVRAN community, but those of other immigrants that live in our immediate area. It is important to support each other to the extent we are able.
• At the same time, there has been an outpouring of support from the community. The March Arts Marathon through the work of community artists and their sponsors has raised about $10,000 more than last year so far, $78,980!! Other contributions are pouring in. These wonderful donations are allowing us to think about a very much needed direct service coordinator who can help us match volunteer offers and New Vermonter needs. After all, we have jumped from 24 New Vermonters to 36 in the last few months. That is increasing our census by half again as much!

Want to know more? Come meet our new executive director and our new president and vote for incoming board members at our annual meeting on Tuesday, April 15^th, 5 p.m. at the Montpelier Unitarian Church. At the same time, hear another update on what has been happening for all those involved with CVRAN.

• More ways to be involved:
  • Sign up to become a member on the website
  • Sign up to be a volunteer on the website. This includes a simple background check we need you to take, and access to our email list.
  • Volunteer to help a team or be a team leader
  • Volunteer for a specific job
    • overseeing our vehicle
    • being a car-shopping consultant
    • organizing rides for summer camps
    • working with our volunteer coordinator
    • help find housing for 2 separate families
    • there are more possibilities; just ask the volunteer coordinator!

Rachel Cogbill
CVRAN President