October Newsletter
Hello from CVRAN!
Welcome to our inaugural newsletter! We are working to gather up all of our non-urgent news, community events, neighborhood stories, and more into a monthly roundup on our website. Please ensure you are subscribed to receive updates so you remain in the know with all things CVRAN. Subscribe in the box to the right, or right here!
Monthly Roundup
Our Fall Fundraiser is underway! Click here to read about our fundraising goal and what we plan to do to support families through the increasingly challenging landscape of 2025-26. Our focus is on ensuring families have food in their kitchens as SNAP benefits are slashed for refugees and asylees, and that asylum seekers can pay the new, incredibly steep fees on the asylum process thanks to HR1. As of October 31st, we have already received donations and pledges amounting to over $45,000!
Exciting grant news! CVRAN will receive funding for two different grant proposals in 2025-2026 from the Canaday Family Trust. This funding will strengthen our existing community programming and provide CVRAN clients with increased legal resources provided by VT Asylum Assistance Project. We were also awarded funding as part of two different proposals to the State of Vermont Agency of Human Services, in partnership with the VT/NH Asylum Support Network and the U.S. Committee on Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI-VT). These grants will help CVRAN provide greater access to employment and legal services, conveniently based out of our office in Montpelier. Look out for more info soon!
CVRAN has also recently received a grant from the George W. Mergens Foundation which will serve as seed funding for the CVRAN Youth Enrichment Fund. This will be a year-round initiative designed to expand access to extracurricular opportunities for refugee and asylum-seeking youth in Central Vermont. Building on our successful summer programming, we want to address the gap in access during the school year to activities like dance and music lessons, Capital Soccer, and the many sports and hobbies that require equipment and transportation to participate. Look out for instructions about how to apply soon!
Recent Events & Articles
Rick Winston hosted film event at The Savoy
ICE increasing social media surveillance from Williston office
2 Articles in the Montpelier Bridge about CVRAN and the Montpelier immigrant communities
Reflecting on the 2025 Summer Reading Program
Celebrating our 10th Anniversary with a fall picnic (article to be published shortly!)
Community Highlights
1 new baby!
2 cars purchased with car grants this month
3 new jobs secured for New Vermonters to provide for their families
Volunteer Spotlight
Our volunteer spotlight shines on Susan Koch, known to so many in Montpelier as their beloved first grade teacher at Union Elementary School. Susan was honored as the 2016 Teacher of the Year by Governor Shumlin. We are so fortunate that she brings her excellent skills in childhood education to CVRAN.
Susan works with several CVRAN families to provide coordination and communication of their needs. She organizes childcare, transportation, and other tasks such as help with managing bills and mail.
Isabelle says: She “really delivers” for the families she works with. She is kid-focused and so good at connecting with people. A friend says: “She’s super curious about everything, which is why she makes such a great teacher. She always has a positive attitude and has a great sense of humor.”
–Favorite Food: fresh VT strawberries
–Book recommendation: Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi
–Favorite CVRAN moment: being TOTALLY surprised on my birthday with a celebration including special Afghan snacks and ice cream cake!
–Another favorite CVRAN moment: witnessing a child experience her first donut!
Want To Help Out?
Here are some current volunteer needs from our Volunteer Coordinator, Isabelle Tibi:
- Early childhood engagement: taking a 3 year old to the library while Mom takes English lessons
- Team member: a family of 4 needs support coordinating their medical needs and with transportation to/from appointments
- Walking partner: a mom wants a buddy to walk to/from school pick-up at Union Elementary (some Spanish fluency preferred)
You’re Invited!
November 1
Monthly Birding Outing (Berlin Pond)
North Branch Nature Center – 713 Elm St, Montpelier
8:00 AM – 9:30 AM
November 5
Robin’s Nest Nature Playgroup
North Branch Nature Center – 713 Elm St, Montpelier
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
November 12
“The Other Side of Hope: Films About Immigration”
Rick Winston presents to benefit Migrant Justice
Old Labor Hall 46 Granite St, Barre
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
November 15
Kids Trade & Play Clothing Swap
Capitol City Grange 6612 VT-12, Berlin
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
