March Newsletter
CVRAN looks toward warmer days
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Monthly Roundup
As we wrap up CVRAN’s 2026 March Arts Marathon, we have surpassed our ambitious goals, thanks to the extraordinary creativity and generosity of our community. Together, we’ve raised $91,911 from 1,034 donors across 1,470 individual gifts, supporting more than 90 artists who have been creating new work every single day this month.
J. Carino – In the Details
We’re deeply proud of this incredible turnout, and especially grateful for the flexibility and enthusiasm shown by both artists and donors as we transitioned to a new signup format this year. Our heartfelt thanks go to our new MAM organizers, Jenn Anthony and Adam Evans, whose thoughtful leadership and steady coordination have carried forward the spirit and legacy of MAM Founder Nicky Morris with remarkable care. Their work has made this year’s Marathon not only possible, but exceptional!
See our recent article about our award from the Lawson’s Finest Liquids Sunshine Fund. CVRAN outraised any other organization they’ve featured in the month of February. We continue to be immensely grateful to the Waitsfield community and all that came out to support our cause this year.
This funding is going straight toward legal services and nutritional assistance for Washington County families. Go enjoy a beer at Lawson’s and see which worthy organization your gratuity will go to next!
CVRAN is excited to be hiring once again! We are seeking a summer intern to help streamline our busiest season and learn all about the immigrant services nonprofit world. Please take a look at our job posting, share it with any recent or prospective grads, and send application materials to jobs@cvran.org.
CVRAN is continuing to follow and advocate for several pieces of legislation in the State House this session. They include S.208, S.209, S.227, H.849, and H.742.
Please use this link to urge your representative(s) to support immigrant legal aid funding – a $400,000 appropriation for legal services for immigrant Vermonters introduced by Representative Leonora Dodge.
This month, our Client Grants Committee met to review a new round of requests and issue support to many families through CVRAN’s Youth Enrichment Fund. These grants help refugee and immigrant youth participate in opportunities that build confidence, connection, and joy — from soccer tournaments and dance classes to All Together Now summer camps and other enrichment programs across Central Vermont. If you’d like to learn more about what the Fund supports or how to apply, please reach out to Isabelle for guidance (isabelle.tibi@cvran.org).
We’re delighted to share that Afghan women in our community have begun sewing classes at Bethany Church, where they are learning new skills, practicing together, and building confidence with the support of their dedicated teacher, Peggy Leon. We are deeply grateful to Bethany Church for offering space for clients to set up sewing machines and create a welcoming environment for both learning and social connection. These women are developing essential skills and some advanced sewers are moving toward earning money as self-employed professionals making piecework products for local companies like BirdieBlue.
Recent News
Vermont House passes bill creating pathway to sue federal agents for civil rights violations (3/13)
Vermont Sugar Makers Are Tapping Migrant Workers for Help (3/24)
What we know 2 weeks after the ICE raid in South Burlington (3/25)
Community Highlights
An asylum seeker has joined CVRAN volunteers in learning how to tap maple trees this spring. This has been a fun, hands‑on way to connect with neighbors, contribute toward his community before he is work-authorized, and get outdoors during the early days of spring.
The Montpelier community and many others across Vermont marked Eid al-Fitr last week with gatherings, shared meals, and celebrations hosted by families, the mosque, and local organizations. It was a joyful moment of connection for many Muslim neighbors as they came together to mark the end of Ramadan.
Volunteer Spotlight: Allison Caldwell
After years running River Rock School in Montpelier, Allison retired and sought a volunteer opportunity with Montpelier’s Afghan community. She has been teaching English to one of the young Afghan mothers in her home. Allison says “I’ve been doing it since last November and really love it…[Student] is attentive and seems eager to learn. We are working on reading and writing, and she is making steady progress. She did not read or write in her native language, so it is thrilling to be part of the team giving the gift of reading and writing to her.”
Isabelle says: “Allison has been working with a client on English tutoring since September, supplementing and coordinating with the work that is done in class with Liza at CVAE. She is amazing and has just kept at it.”
Favorite CVRAN moment: Witnessing the student she supports begin to “sound out simple words, and begin to acquire a small sight vocabulary. I also love laughing with her over the contortions our mouths have to make to pronounce English words. It can be pretty hilarious.”
Favorite book: All the Light You Cannot See by Anthony Doer
Favorite food: Waffles with fresh strawberries
Favorite thing to do in Vermont: Going sugaring
Want To Help Out?
Here are some current volunteer needs from our Volunteer Coordinator, Isabelle Tibi:
Interested in storytelling and community media? CVRAN is seeking 1–2 volunteers to represent our organization in a new partnership with Media Factory and WBTV to develop a radio show/podcast highlighting Vermont immigrant stories. Volunteers will help shape the program and assist Ali with gathering interviews and content. Multilingual skills are a bonus but not required.
We need at least 2-3 drivers who are available at a variety of times of day – primarily afternoons and evenings. If you are interested in providing transportation for a family once a week, please reach out to Isabelle.
We’re still looking for someone who wants to volunteer virtually for CVRAN!! Do you live out in the woods? Do you prefer not to drive? Check out this opportunity to take on a small but important email-based coordination role. 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. 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!
Click to expand each calendar item
April 2
VT Immigration Legal Defense Fundraiser
Community Event at the Brattleboro Museum
10 Vernon St, Brattleboro
7:00-8:30 PM
April 11
Kids Trade & Play Clothing Swap
Capitol City Grange 6612 VT-12, Berlin
9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
April 14
CVRAN’S ANNUAL MEETING
5:00-6:30 PM
Bethany Church, 115 Main St Montpelier
April 25
