CoFiA and friends are excited about getting together this Saturday, August 12, 2017, at the beautiful home of Carmita Fong in Leonia. The party is from 7 – 9 p.m. and includes brief presentations as well as musical entertainment. Our long-time friend and member Elias will speak, as well as a newer friend Susan Sullivan, and our staff members Saydy Tuanama and Angelica Martinez.
Please join us! To get more information and to let us know what food you will bring send an email to info@communityoffriendsinaction.org or call 201-833-1737.
On Carmita’s lawnMr. Norm and friendsOur own Joselino Chocoj will entertainFrancisco Balan will also performThe end of the party, another year
To help this family, go to https://www.gofundme.com/estrada-family-together-we-can. While the father must leave on Saturday, August 12, 2017, his wife and three citizen children will remain here. It will be difficult for them to survive on one income. Donations will go to NJ Action 21 which is working closely with the family and will see that the money gets to them safely.
The Estrada Family
Action 21, a community organization in Jersey City, NJ is asking for your help on behalf of the Estrada Family. With the announcement that President Trump and his administration have officially rescinded Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and Lawful Permanent Resident (DAPA), Jose Estrada, a potential beneficiary of this program, is now facing imminent deportation. Jose Estrada is a Guatemalan immigrant who has made Fairview, NJ, his home for 8 years. Jose was forced to leave Guatemala due to the gang violence and threats he faced in his native land. He decided to make his way to the United States after receiving threats from local gangs asking him for money in return for not hurting his family. It was in 1998 that Jose made his attempt to cross the border into the United States.
Father to 3 U.S citizen children, Jose and his family have been calling Fairview, NJ, their home for 8 years. Jose has always tried to live a peaceful life, doing everything possible to love and support his wife and children. He has responsibly and regularly checked in with ICE, but now he has been ordered to depart the U.S. and leave his family this summer. He will leave on Saturday, August 12, with a one-way ticket. His children and wife have cried numberless times.
CoFiA is joining with NJ Action 21 to solicit funds to help Mr. Estrada’s wife, Gloria Chocoj, and his three children. Both parents have been working full-time, but with the loss of the father’s income life will be very difficult. NJ Action 21 has set up a GoFundMe campaign to try to raise money to help Gloria Chocoj pay rent, buy food, and meet other necessities. She is also doing research to find out what benefits her American-born children are eligible for, as well as learning what resources various charitable organizations may be able to provide. CoFiA is making an emergency donation from our recently established Spiegel Fund, named in honor of long-time members and founders, Hans and Ellie Spiegel.
To make individual contributions to help this family, please go to www.gofundme.org and search for Jose Estrada. NJ Action 21 will receive and distribute the funds carefully so that donors can be confident the money will be used for the purpose for which it is contributed.
For more information call NJ Action 21 at 973-980-8745.
CoFiA has received several generous grants from individuals and local organizations this summer, which are much appreciated. Even though activities slow down during these months, our expenses do not. Thank you, everybody!
This summer staff and members of CoFiA have been participating in Leadership Training classes on Wednesday nights at the Palisades Park public library. Topics include Know Your Rights, Emergency Preparedness (for families possibly facing deportation who need to plan for caretaking for children if the parents are removed) and, in the next few weeks, Wage Theft (how to prevent, and how to collect).
On Sunday, September 17, 2017, the Community of Friends in Action has been invited to join other local organizations in celebration of the International Day of Peace. The event will be held on the lawn of the United Methodist Church in Leonia beginning at 5 p.m.
On Saturday, August 12, CoFiA members are invited to a barbecue at the lovely home of Carmita Fong in Leonia. Carmita has hosted us for many wonderful get-togethers over the years, from celebrations for OSHA graduates to end-of-season barbecues and fund-raising concerts. The August 12 event begins at 7 p.m. with a pot-luck supper followed by conversation, presentations, and musical performances.
Our summer intern, Enok Choe, who is working on his Eagle Scout badge, has translated the CoFiA brochure into Korean! So we have Korean, Spanish and English versions. If you would like copies of some or all send an email to info@communityoffriendsinaction.org and we will send you an electronic version.
Resistance Cafe Teaneck-based Resistance Cafe’s theme of the month is “The Declaration of Immigration.” Musicians, artists, performers, poets, comedians and concerned residents are all welcome. Light refreshments provided.
People who wish to perform are asked to sign up for the Open Mic ahead of time and reserve a spot. Go to https://www.facebook.com/ResistanceCafe/
CoFiA is looking forward to sharing a lively evening with others who are concerned about the sad state of immigration policy and practice in our country and around the world.
CoFiA members and staff will begin a series of Leadership Training sessions on Wednesday nights, beginning July 19, 2017, at the Palisades Park Public Library, 257 Second Avenue, Palisades Park, from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. The sessions are open to members as well as the general public, and will continue until the end of August. For more information call 201-598-2253 (CoFiA, English and Spanish) or 201-561-4192 (Spanish only).
Barbeque 2016 All CoFiA members and friends are invited to our annual barbeque at the beautiful home of Carmita Sanchez Fong, 205 Grand Avenue, Leonia (corner of Grand and Park), on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Volunteers are needed to help with set up and clean up, as well as to bring wonderful dishes. CoFiA will provide the barbeque.
Please contact Margaret (marbwhite@aol.com) if you can come.
On Sunday, September 17, 2017, the Community of Friends in Action has been invited to join other local organizations in celebration of the International Day of Peace. The event will be held on the lawn of the United Methodist Church in Leonia beginning at 5 p.m.
