THE TORCH: News & Updates

March 25, 2022

Friday Blessings!

Your editor has been woefully slow in getting these missives out, and apologizes. My internal excuse has been that so much has occurred that it's hard to get to (it is), but then so much else has happened that every missed day means there's more to put in this news than I can reasonably expect to be consumed. This despite our great supporters and kind contributors of time and finances. Thanks for your kindness and your patience.

This season of Spring heralds so many of the most important religious observations in the community, as well as observances of the Holocaust and the Rwandan Genocide. Christians are in the middle of Lent, the preparation time before Easter. Jews have recently celebrated Purim, and prepare for Passover. Bahai's recently celebrated Naw Rúz, the Bahá'í New Year, and prepare for Ridván in April. Sikhs observe Vaisakhi, the new year, in mid-April. Muslims begin the Holy Month of Ramadan in early April.

I have been made aware by our Afghan folks that April Fool's Day is a big event back home. So, prepare thyself, spiritually, historically (and humorously) for the important days ahead!

Shabbat Shalom, Jumma Mubarak, Lenten Blessings, and pray for peace in our city, country and world.

Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA)

The URC, with extraordinary help from a number of volunteers and teams from many partners, has helped resettle 32 individuals from the recent evacuation of Afghans to the US. Our folks all arrived between Dec 2 and January 1.

As this note is written, the help of the community has provided support for these individuals and families in ways that have included:

Jobs for nearly all the working aged folks
Long term housing for all the arrived individuals and families
Over 300 medical, dental, vision, mental health and other follow up visits
School and early childhood enrollments for all the kids
English Language training
Legal consultations with our community partner, La Casa de Amistad.

...and more that we can mention! It has been a joint venture between civic, governmental, private and faith-based organizations.

What's next? We anticipate potentially a few more APA families, and our 'traditional resettlement' proposal remains pending. Your help in the past, and moving forward, is greatly appreciated.

Ukraine and Greater South Bend

In September, 2019, URC hosted a delegation of six human and labor rights activists from Ukraine for a weeklong exchange in St. Joseph County. It was a wonderful week, punctuated with visits to the 9-11 ceremonies and a music festival produced by Welcoming Michiana.

Our delegates have stayed in touch over the time since, and early on reported that they have been safe in Ukraine but very concerned for their country and their people. The URC, in all else that you do to support Ukraine, asks your considerations of these fine young leaders and that you, too, keep them in your prayerful admonitions for a quick and sturdy peace.

LA CASA DE AMISTAD

LEGAL SERVICES

La Casa is offering important legal help to URC's Afghan families, to assist with legal status adjustments; the clients arrive with 'parolee' status, a legal status that allows for them to work and use local services, but which is temporary in nature. La Casa is hosting a legal aid program to help determine such options as temporary protected status, 'special immigrant visa' and asylum.

In addition, the Administration's recent granting of eligibility for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for both Ukrainian and Afghan individuals who are already in the US means that this status will need to be applied for to help individuals and families to remain in the US while awaiting the end of hostilities.

URC thanks La Casa's staff and volunteers who are making this possible!

Ukraine Response

The war in Ukraine has created a new refugee crisis, and the URC has received outreach calls from many in the community wanting to assist. This mirrors the generous outpouring of help that has followed the crisis in Afghanistan. President Biden announced that the US will help up to 100,000 Ukrainians to resettle in the US (either as refugees or as temporary 'parolees').

What's next, and what does this mean for our community? It's early to say, but the URC will gather its RESET Committee, which has been in place for a number of years, to explore our approach. URC is also getting frequent updates from Church World Service (CWS), our NGO partner.

We do not anticipate an imminent arrival of Ukrainians, but the situation is changing fast. Please stay tuned, and we encourage your support of our partner, Church World Service, as they prepare and help us to be ready.

Happy Families Coaching and Research

The University of Notre Dame's William J. Shaw's Center for Families and Children is conducting ongoing research and training into 'what makes families happy?' This initiative is providing experiential insights and feedback for families in several Indiana communities, including St. Joseph County.

While the URC does not specifically promote this research, the Center's staff provided an overview and has asked that we include this notice as they try to find coaches and families; given the broad reach of our members, we wish to bring this to your attention. For more info, visit the website or contact Sarah Seto, one of the researchers: sseto@nd.edu

National Day of Prayer

St. Joseph County Observance

Thursday, May 5 2022

The URC of St. Joseph County leads the local community's interfaith observance of the National Day of Prayer. Please stay tuned for info on how this will take place in 2022!

EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE Updates

The URC Advocacy Center has provided over $600,000 in help from the Emergency Rent Assistance (ERA) Program since March, 2021. This is in addition to funds provided by member congregations, including a special grant from the Islamic Society of Michiana, and grants from the United Way COVID Relief Fund and Heat for Homes.

Tenants still in need, but who have not applied previously, can still request assistance from IN Housing and Community Development (IHCDA) by clicking here: https://www.indianahousingnow.org/

Clients already in the URC's cohort can still receive assistance if they still qualify. Contact URC at urcsjc@gmail.com