In Collaboration with Christ Church at Dartmouth and the Upper Valley Working Group a person-to-person effort called The Friendship Initiative is beginning.
“The Friendship Initiative” involves a volunteer or group of volunteers (a family unit, a couple, a single retiree or small group of students) reaching out to a family, couple, or single individual to provide positive support. This support requires a trip to Manchester every 4-6 weeks for personal interaction which could be in the form of a walk, teaching English, tutoring a child, helping with a resume, or simply going out for pizza. The program does not expect the volunteers to solve problems or financial issues. Financial issues are normally handled by the family’s case worker at the International Institute of New England (IINE), the entity that resettles refugees in Manchester and Nashua, NH.
Volunteers will be introduced to refugee families through Sister Irene Marie Pelland, a nun from Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, who has been working with refugees since 1985.
A glimpse into the lives of refugees in Manchester:
To find our more or offer your friendship please contact Lars Johanson, Susan Langle, or the church office.
