Haiti Earthquake Relief News
LSS CONTINUES TO NEED FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE HAITIANS already in this country with temporary legal status. We are setting up legal clinics and information meetings to help these Haitians understand their rights. We urge you to DONATE ONLINE or BY MAIL: LSS Haitian Relief, 888 Worcester St., #160, Wellesley, MA 02482.
LSS RESPONDS TO EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS IN HAITI AND NEW ENGLAND; FOSTER HOMES NEEDED TO WELCOME DISPLACED CHILDREN, TEENS
January 29, 2010
Wellesley, MA: In the immediate wake of the earthquake in Haiti, Lutheran Social Services of New England (LSS) issued a mass appeal to 15,000 constituents via e-mail and regular mail, with the promise that LSS would forward 100% of their donations to Lutheran partners on the ground in Haiti. The agency reports that they’re closing in on $30,000, all of which is being sent to Lutheran World Relief.
“Now, the implications of the Haitian tragedy are being felt in our own backyard” states CEO Heather Feltman. “We’re facing the challenge at home in New England of caring for the Haitians in our midst and those who will be sent to us, including children and teens.”
Eastern Massachusetts is home to the third largest Haitian community in the United States. Many are here on temporary work or student visas. The U.S. Government has authorized an 18-month Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians so that they will not be forced to return to their ravaged homeland. This temporary status will expire in March 2010
The Lutheran agency, in partnership with other relief organizations, is hastening to set up legal clinics and information sessions in Haitian neighborhoods across New England. These clinics will assist hundreds of immigrants to apply for legal status in the United States and to make sure that they understand their rights. “In addition to the comprehensive social services that we provide all refugees, we will assist Haitians to petition for family members in Haiti, file for orphans in Haiti, apply for Temporary Protected Status, and receive advice from attorneys about immigration options in complicated cases,” states attorney Julie Dahlstrom of the LSS Services for New Americans program in Worcester.
As for the children: Lutheran Social Services has the only program in all of New England that serves unaccompanied and undocumented children and teens exclusively. This Massachusetts program is preparing to welcome an influx of Haitian children – in all probability several dozen. A more precise number will be known as soon as officials in Haiti can identify the status of the thousands of children caught up in this catastrophe.
States Feltman, “We are appealing to people concerned about the incalculable pain and suffering of the Haitian people to continue to support all relief efforts, both on the ground in Haiti and here at home. No one budgets for earthquakes, yet that cannot keep us from responding with our own resources!
“There is one more gift that some families might be willing to consider,” adds Feltman. “Welcoming a Haitian child or teen into your home as a temporary or long-term foster child.”
More information about helping a Haitian child is available at www.lssne.org or by calling 781 997-0835.
Lutheran Social Services, 888 Worcester St., #160, Wellesley, MA 02482
URGENT NEED: HAITIAN CHILDREN TO ARRIVE IN MASSACHUSETTS
The Unaccompanied Refugee Minors program of LSS is the only program in New England that serves refugee or undocumented children exclusively. We expect an influx of Haitian children and teens in the near future, but do not yet know their numbers or legal status. Nonetheless, we must prepare to receive them with love and with moral and material support. If you are interested in becoming a temporary or long-term foster parent, mentor or resource for a Haitian refugee child or teen, call Mary Bartholomew at 781-997-0835 or email her.
LSS CHEERS THE HUNDREDS OF YOU...
...who responded to our appeal for donations to assist with Lutheran organizations’ relief efforts in Haiti. As of Jan. 26, you have contributed $31,000, and the donations are still coming in. You gave via online donations and checks in the mail. As promised, LSS has sent 100 percent of your generous gifts to Lutheran World Relief without deducting anything for administrative costs or postage.