CVRAN

January/February Newsletter

CVRAN Welcomes 2026

Monthly Roundup

CVRAN met – and surpassed! – our Fall Fundraiser goal of $150,000. Thanks to an extraordinary wave of generosity during the December 28th-31st matching period, which alone generated more than $37,000, we crossed the finish line with strength and momentum for the year ahead. We’re deeply grateful to every donor who contributed and to our dedicated fundraising committee, whose steady work and outreach made this achievement possible.

Every Saturday morning in February, community members are gathering at Red Hen from 8:00–10:00 AM to knit red hats as an act of peaceful resistance. All crafts and media are welcome, and please bring your own materials. There is no cost to participate, though attendees are encouraged to make a purchase to support Red Hen. Additionally, a Central Vermont neighbor has generously offered to knit red resistance hats for anyone in our community who would like one. If you’d like a hat, simply make a donation to CVRAN (or another immigrant‑centered fund of your choice) and email Ali that it is for a hat. Finished hats will be delivered to CVRAN’s Montpelier office for easy pickup.

Two key measures—S.208 and S.209—passed unanimously out of the Senate Committee on Judiciary on February 6, reflecting strong bipartisan recognition of the need for clearer protections and due‑process safeguards for immigrant communities. We are also closely watching H.742, a bill that would establish universal legal representation in federal immigration proceedings. To help move this work forward, we encourage community members to contact the House Committee on Judiciary and voice support for H.742, underscoring the importance of legal representation for all.

CVRAN is conducting Know Your Rights and legal preparation trainings with all volunteers and families this season to ensure our community is informed and ready. These sessions offer clear guidance on current legal processes, practical safety planning, and how to share accurate information without escalating fear. We are asking all volunteers to sign our Confidentiality Policy and please return it to isabelle.tibi@cvran.org.

CVRAN has officially transitioned all of our donations to Givebutter, a more flexible and affordable platform that allows us to manage contributions in one streamlined system. If you’d like to become a recurring donor—or move an existing recurring gift into our new system—you can set that up directly on our Givebutter page. As part of this transition, some donors received shorter‑than‑usual tax receipts this year. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience as we consolidated multiple systems into one. Please get in touch if for any reason if there is a problem with your receipt from 2025.

Recent News

Community Highlights

A few bright moments from the last two months remind us of the strength and resilience within our community:

– Two successful ICE check-ins, completed smoothly and without incident, offering families a bit more breathing room and stability.

– Two community members started new jobs, an important step toward financial security and independence.

– A new baby arrived, bringing joy and celebration to a family we’ve walked alongside for many months.

Volunteer Spotlight: Paige Gebhardt

She is a prolific member of the thank you squad–CVRAN volunteers who write thank you notes to donors. We all enjoy Paige’s kindness and humor, and appreciate her organizational skills!

Veteran volunteer Amy says, “having Paige assist with the Summer Reading Program last summer was a great gift. She knows children’s books and she was able to see what was needed to get them into the hands of children before I could even articulate it. I’m thrilled that she’ll be running this year’s program.”

Team leader Susan says, “Paige truly connects with her mentee. He trusts her, and shares his passions and interests. Last fall, they romped all over Hubbard Park in order to find the best location for flying their handmade kites!”

Favorite CVRAN memory: I picked up my reading partner after getting my hair cut short. I asked him and his sister if they like my hair. His sister enthusiastically said, “NO!” I laughed and looked at my reading partner and he gave me a little nod and a smile. Having this kid’s nod of approval made my day!

Favorite TV show: All Creatures Great and Small

Favorite food: oranges

Favorite thing to do in Vermont: hiking

Want To Help Out?

Here are some current volunteer needs from our Volunteer Coordinator, Isabelle Tibi:

We’re seeking a volunteer who can guide a community member preparing to purchase her first car. This support role is hands‑on, practical, and deeply empowering for someone taking a major step toward independence. The volunteer would help with tasks such as visiting the DMV, navigating used‑car shopping, and supporting budgeting. This role is ideal for someone patient, organized, and comfortable breaking down unfamiliar systems into manageable steps.

We’re looking for someone to take on a small but important email-based coordination role. This role helps ensure that families receive needed items quickly and that Isabelle’s time stays focused on direct support. When a family or team leader identifies a needed item, this volunteer would help locate it through community networks and let us know when something has been found. Community members also often email CVRAN offering items. This volunteer would help respond promptly to let donors know when we cannot accept something and pass along appropriate offers to our teams. This is a light‑lift role that makes a meaningful difference in keeping our systems organized and equitable.

You’re Invited!

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