April 30 - A Check-In Amidst Crisis
RAMADAN MUBARAK
Friday, April 24 marked the first day of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan observed by almost two billion people around the world. According to Mubarikah Faruk, a Board Member and Assistant Principal of Sunday School at our Good Neighbor Partner Dar al-Noor Islamic Community Center, Ramadan is a month of inner reflection, prayer, and seeking to improve the world through charitable activities.

Though Ramadan has just begun, our partners and donors are already stepping up to provide for their community members in need. Dar al-Noor in Manassas is making and boxing food for the hungry those in need and distributing every day during Ramadan at 6:30 PM. Mubarikah extends the invitation to anyone who needs anything to please reach out to Dar al-Noor at any time.

We want to acknowledge and thank the following community heroes that have gone above and beyond to boldly serve our clients during this time:

Diyanet Center of America
On April 18, 2020, the Diyanet Center of America distributed boxes of Ramadan groceries, worth $100 each, to 22 of our newly-arrived families who are celebrating their first Ramadan in the US. Already feeling the impacts of unemployment, these clients were free to choose anything from the store inside the mosque. While practicing the CDC guidelines and Maryland’s face covering order, LSSNCA staff transported the clients to and from the pick-up location.
Montgomery County Muslim Foundation
On April 24 and 26, the Montgomery County Muslim Foundation distributed Ramadan food baskets to 60 of our refugee families in Hyattsville, Maryland. These recently-arrived families were served as a result of this $5,500 donation.
Mr. Ayoob, whose family is one of these more recent arrivals, appreciated the opportunity and said “Thanks to LSSNCA and MCMF for standing by our side during this difficult time and celebrating Ramadan with us together. I believe starting the new life and Ramadan in the USA would have been very difficult without LSSNCA’s support!"
Good Neighbors of Capitol Hill

The Good Neighbors of Capitol Hill (GNCH), a coalition of Capitol Hill area congregations and residents, donated $4,000 to be used for $100 gift cards in support our Maryland families to purchase groceries and necessities for Ramadan.

The kindness and continual generosity show by all of these organizations and groups is a testament to their character and faith.
IMMEDIATE NEEDS
  • Muscle Movers - seeking individuals willing to drive a U-Haul or use their own truck to pick-up donated furnishings and drop-off at families' new apartments
  • Virtual Mentors and Tutors - help our families and youth engage in English conversation
  • Supplies for Expecting Mothers - we have several families who are welcoming bundles of joy into their lives this spring
  • Laptops and tablets - keep our families connected to family, job resources, and educational materials
  • Gift cards - to assist our refugee families who are financially struggling to cover the costs of groceries at this time
  • Vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies - our families are in need of many of the hard-to-find items for keeping their homes clean
Interested in volunteering or donating items to newly arrived refugee and immigrant families in Maryland and Virginia?

Fill out this Google Form .

For questions or to arrange a donation drop off, please contact Shelby Kruczek, kruczeks@lssnca.org .
We are still accepting new applications for foster parents in the DMV! Through LSSNCA you can provide a loving home for an Unaccompanied Refugee Minor. Those interested should fill out our inquiry form. URM Recruitment and Training Coordinator, Patricia Britt, will follow up to schedule a virtual orientation and answer your questions.
TAKE ACTION
Executive Order suspending immigration will likely not affect LSSNCA arrivals

On April 22, President Trump signed an Executive Order suspending immigration for 60 days for economic recovery from COVID-19. Based on the exclusions provided, the EO should not have an adverse impact on LSSNCA arrivals since our population served includes refugees, asylees and Special Immigrant Visa holders.

Critics of the EO, such as the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), say that “… Contrary to the President’s apparent belief that his new restrictions would help U.S. workers, there is little evidence that immigrants take away jobs from citizens. Immigrants and citizens together are partners in reviving the nation’s economy… The global crisis caused by COVID-19 demands unity not more division and the indifference of a throwaway mentality.”
Shoulder to Shoulder's
Welcome to My Table -
Ramadan Series
This year, as a response to the public health crisis and the physical distancing that has resulted, the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign launched the Welcome To My Table initiative. This initiative connects households to households one-on-one or in small groupings to virtually share an Iftar meal. They have developed a system for pairing households to one another so traditions can be shared and fasting can be broken among friends.

LSSNCA is hoping some of our Muslim families and partnering community will sign up for this opportunity.