January General Meeting

brightly colored welcome sign. Image: Belinda Fewings on Unsplash.com
January 9, 2024 0 Comments

Join us for the first general meeting of 2024! It’s been a while since we’ve met in person and there is lots to talk about! Come hear about all the exciting things CVRAN has been up to in the last few months. Book Swap: If you have a book covering topics connected to immigration, refugees, …

Book Recommendations From CVRAN Members (#3)

A " Little Free Library" with books.
January 3, 2024 0 Comments

Today we’re continuing to share books recommended by CVRAN members. They are focused on immigration, refugee, and asylum seeker experiences around the world. Hope one catches your interest! Do you have a book that you’ve finished and would be happy to share with someone else? CVRAN will have a book trading table at the January …

Vermont Plans To Resettle 550 Refugees in 2024

Toy house with key. Image: Tierra Mallorca on Unsplash.com
December 27, 2023 0 Comments

However, the housing shortage may make that difficult. Read more about the state’s plans in this recent VT Digger article: Housing crisis could interfere with Vermont efforts to resettle 550 refugees by next fall Gov. Phil Scott, who has advocated for Vermont to accept more refugees, acknowledged that the state’s lack of housing is a major …

What CVRAN Members Are Reading (#2)

Coffee cup by a book - image by Freestock on Unsplash.com.
December 11, 2023 0 Comments

Here is the next installment of our book recommendations from fellow CVRAN members. If you have a suggestion for books covering topics related to migration, refugees, and asylum seekers, we’d love to hear it! Non-Fiction The Devil’s Highway – A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea documents the journey a group of men take to …

Support Small Farmers and CVRAN with Your Holiday Shopping

December 4, 2023 0 Comments

Still have a few gifts to find? Consider the purchase of chocolate, coffee, olive oil, nuts, and other products from Equal Exchange. This food network supports small farmers around the world. The Just Food Hub is your local source for their products. The Just Food Hub supports local groups too. When you purchase from them, …

CVRAN Hosts Gathering For Service Providers: How Can We Best Help Asylum Seekers?

Poster to announce a meeting
November 28, 2023 0 Comments

On October 25th, 2023, sixteen service providers from Washington, Lamoille, and Chittenden Counties gathered in the Steele Room of the Waterbury Municipal Building. There was an eagerness to discuss the barriers asylum seekers face as they move into our area, to tell stories that make these barriers come more alive, and to wonder about possible …

What Are Fellow CVRAN Members Reading?

November 24, 2023 0 Comments

A few weeks ago, we sent out a request to CVRAN members asking if they had read any good books focused on refugees, asylum seekers, or immigration.  Here are several of those recommendations along with links to help you learn more about the books.  We’ll send out more in the next few weeks. Hope you …

Letter from the President: A Small Garden

Close view of pink flowers by Brian Breeden on Unsplash.com
November 18, 2023 0 Comments

November 13, 2023 Dear CVRAN Community, Greetings. Imagine yourself a plant in a garden. All around you other plants are growing, clustering, and the fruit and the blooms emerging, or in this season preparing for a season of hibernation. From your unique position you cannot see the borders of the garden, nor know what plant …

An Appreciation of the Hankins Family – Three Time Hosts!

November 14, 2023 0 Comments

On October 14th, a potluck was held for the wonderful Hankins family. They have  hosted three asylum seekers over the past three years in a roomy, light-filled apartment over their garage, with a private entrance. Their hosting includes lots of companionship, shared dinners, garden space, and strong relationships among each guest and all five members …

New Neighbors And Support Teams Celebrate!

People walking on an outdoor trail.
October 29, 2023 0 Comments

After two disappointing flood- and weather-related cancellations, we were finally able to hold a CVRAN picnic and celebration for new neighbors and their support teams on Saturday, October 7, in partnership with the North Branch Nature Center (NBNC). Heavy rain was predicted for the afternoon, but Mother Nature smiled on us and it held off …