To welcome asylum seekers, CVRAN needs housing!

Living with a host family is the best way for asylum seekers to begin their lives in central Vermont. The host family offers a safe place to live, friendship, and an introduction to life in our community. CVRAN volunteers provide for all other needs: medical, financial, legal, educational, and recreational. CVRAN can pay extra expenses incurred by the host family.

 

Dear Potential Host Family,

Welcome aboard to this important work of providing a safe home and hope for an individual or a family fleeing very difficult times in their home country. Many of our asylum seekers come through detention centers or wait on the border for a host to welcome them. You will be making a very big difference in their lives if you can offer your space and friendship so that they can begin a new life free of fear and danger.

What does it involve being a host? You and your family would invite a person or persons into your family for at least a three-month period. You would be that person’s introduction to living in the United States, including practicing English, sharing mealtimes, introducing your guest to bits and pieces of your life, having some quality time together, and even learning to recycle!

Our organization (CVRAN) would come look at your space and talk to you about what kinds of supports you might need, including financial reimbursement, respite evenings or weekends, possibly furniture for the bedroom, a chance to talk to other hosts, or access to translation if needed. Host families have provided homes to asylum seeker guests, individuals and families, in a spare bedroom, a finished basement, upstairs bedrooms and sitting room, or an apartment over the garage.

Meanwhile, CVRAN would be setting up all sorts of support for this new arrival. We have teams of people who arrange for legal support, educational opportunities, medical appointments, shopping needs, social opportunities, and more. Although these new arrivals cannot work until they get their permits, at least six months down the line, they are usually very eager to start with taking English classes, getting a driver’s license, and volunteering in an area of interest. Structure and getting started in their new lives are important to them.

For more information about our Central Vermont Refugee Action Network, look at our website (cvran.org). If you might have a spare bedroom, or an attached studio apartment, and an interest in making a big difference in a person’s life, send an email to cvran910@gmail.com. We are based in Montpelier but have volunteers and host families in other towns in Central Vermont. You could be one of them.

We hope to hear from you!

Updated: December 10, 2023