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!
We are so grateful to announce the many grants CVRAN has been awarded in the last several months. These grants sustain and expand services for our refugee and asylum-seeking clients. Our 2025-26 proposals reflect urgent needs driven by federal policy changes, increased client intake, and increased ICE enforcement. Funding requests have focused on legal access, food security, youth enrichment, workforce development, and language support. We thank these grantmakers for choosing to invest in CVRAN’s clients and in the strength of our community.
The Equity & Justice Grant Program has provided a full award to CVRAN which will allow us to expand our Boostlingo interpretation services, secure a dedicated community space in our office at the Bethany Church, and strengthen legal support access for immigrant families.
A new program called the Richard Cassidy Special Grant Program provides funding to bolster our legal‑empowerment work through Know Your Rights educational opportunities and payment of new legal fees imposed by H.R.1.
Canaday Family Charitable Trust
CVRAN will receive funding for two different grant proposals to Canaday in 2025-2026. This funding will strengthen our existing community programming and provide CVRAN clients with increased legal resources provided by VT Asylum Assistance Project.
Vermont Agency of Human Services
We were also awarded funding as part of two different proposals to the State Refugee Office, 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!
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
