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On Friday, June 23, 2017, Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-37) welcomed representatives from the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, and from CoFiA, to his office in Teaneck. The group engaged in a lively discussion of immigration issues, including the NJAIJ new policy platform. Mr. Johnson demonstrated broad familiarity with the issues, and joined with Johanna Calle, Executive Director, and Dina Mansour, Outreach Coordinator, of NJAIJ, as well as Margaret White, Chair of CoFiA, in putting together a plan to reach out to various groups, including the Bergen County Prosecutor, the Bergen County Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Bergen County Sheriff, to expand familiarity with the issues.

Mr. Johnson also shared with the group his office’s recent initiative in approaching the governing bodies of a number of municipalities inviting them to pass resolutions affirming their commitment to providing equal, respectful and dignified treatment of all individuals, regardless of their immigration status; and to remain welcoming communities. Several muncipalities have already passed such resolutions and others are in process.

The group agreed that this conversation is to be the first of a series of meetings to design a workable policy in New Jersey that will create a more welcoming and positive atmosphere for all immigrants, both documented and undocumented.

We recently received a note with photos from a friend who had requested assistance from our Workers Link Program. “The worker, Mr. M., did a fine job,” he reported. “He trimmed, weeded and spread a lot of mulch. We are very happy with the job and with him.”

To request similar assistance, go to the “Hire a Worker” page on this web site, read it carefully, and follow instructions. The more information you can provide the better. The workers are pretty busy but we can usually find someone within a few days.

The Palsades Park Public Library is celebrating its 100th Anniversary this Saturday, June 17, 2017, from 12 noon to 3 p.m., 257 Second Street, Palisades Park. The Community of Friends in Action congratulates the library and its hard-working staff for the varied and interesting programs and services it provides to the Palisades Park community. CoFiA has offered ESL courses for the Spanish-speaking members of the community for many years, and we are grateful for the warm and helpful hospitality the library has provided. Congratulations on this important anniversary!

We are happy to welcome Enok Choe, a resident of Palisades Park, who has volunteered to help us this summer as our summer intern. Enok, who attends boarding school in Delaware during the school year, joins Andreanna Papatheodorou, as our second intern.

Enok speaks Korean, Spanish, and English and is working to earn his Eagle Scout badge. He is a quick study and eager to be helpful. Welcome!

CoFiA’s community organizer, Sayda Tuanama, and several members of the CoFiA Saturday delegados group, were invited by leaders of St. Michael’s  Hispanic Congregation and Father Cho to present a workshop on “Know Your Rights”after the regular Wednesday night Spanish-language mass on Wednesday, June 7, 2017,  at the church on Central Avenue in Palisades Park. The presentation was well-received by the  congregants who stayed after the mass to participate.

Sayda and the group members had been rehearsing the presentation for several weeks, and were welcomed by the president of the Hispanic Congregation, Pedro Calan, and other officers. Participants took careful note of the suggestions that were presented about how to respond appropriately if officers of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement service (ICE) come knocking at the door. Future workshops on other aspects of this difficult experience are planned.

Thank you, St. Michael’s, for helping us get this important information out to the community.

For several months, members of the CoFiA staff and board have held weekly Monday morning staff meetings at Grand Shilla Bakery on Broad Avenue in Palisades Park. The owners have been very generous, allowing us to move tables around as necessary and letting us meet as long as needed–for no cost except the purchase of several cups of coffee! Thank you so much.

Many people have asked what they can do to support immigrants in this difficult time. Here are a few ideas:

1. Participate in local events to support immigrants and refugees. Organizations such as the New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice, the American Friends Service Committee Immigrants Rights Program, First Friends of NY and NJ, ACLU-NJ are all rich sources of information about what is happening and upcoming events where you can show your support. The National Immigration Law Center is a good resource for legal updates on immigration issues.

2. Educate yourself and speak out! The air is full of false statements about immigrants and their impact on society. Review the web sites of the organizations listed above, and ours too, to update your information. If you want a brief “elevator speech” try this one ( borrowed from Neighbors Link of Mt. Kisco, NY):

Immigrants are good for our country, our economy, and our democracy. Most of us are descended from immigrants, and we know from our own family histories that when immigrants are integrated into a community, everyone thrives. I am going to stand up for the immigrants who are my neighbors.

3. Don’t “out” your undocumented friends. Sometimes well-meaning groups that want to support immigrants but have no direct connections with immigrant groups ask us if we could suggest someone who could come to speak at a meeting. Most people without documents do not want to be put in the public eye. It is much better to find other ways to learn about immigration issues. (reading, videos, speakers from various organizations.)

4. Report bona fide ICE actions but don’t spread rumors. When we ask our friends if they have heard of ICE raids on homes, work places, or on the street many will say they heard that a friend of a friend was picked up getting on a bus. These vague rumors only increase fear and do not provide concrete evidence that something is going on. Go to the web sites of the groups listed above to get more solid information. Or contact United We Dream Migra Watch Hotline at 1-844-363-1423 or Immigrant Defense Project at 212-725-6422. If you actually witness an ICE action document it with as many details as possible, including photos.

5. Donate to a reliable organization. Some organizations, like CoFiA, may have special funds you can specify. For example, if you want to help people get bonded out of immigration detention, put that on your CoFiA donation-check memo line. If you want to help immigrants in general with various emergency needs, put “Spiegel Fund” on the memo line. The daily grind of trying to cope with needing work, housing, food, child care, etc., goes on whatever ICE is up to.

6. Volunteer. CoFiA needs a wide variety of volunteers for present or new committees:

A—Carpools: people to take our friends to appointments, including immigration check-ins, medical, dental, legal, etc.
B. –Rapid Response Team (RRT); people who would be ready to help if someone is arrested, detained, or deported.
C—Providing safe housing. A group of volunteers who would be willing to take immigrants and/or their children into their homes if they fear being picked up by ICE—or have been picked up already leaving children behind.
D—Form fillers. We need a few people to help fill out various ICE-related forms such as a Power of Attorney for guardians of children who are at risk if parents are deported, or other forms such as school registration.
E—ESL, literacy, or civics teachers. These could be group settings or one-on-one.                            F.–Site search. We are still looking for a place to have our lunch program, meet with people needing assistance, and provide educational opportunities.  In Palisades Park only.                            G. Wage theft recovery. This active committee can provide training.

If you want to help with any of these or other tasks, send us an email at info@communityoffriendsinaction.org or ask to be sent information about our meetings.  Caution: none of these are easy, nor can we guarantee that you could perform the services on a specific day or time or month. The life of an immigrant is lived day-by-day and hour-by-hour. To be able to help we have to be able to share that uncertainty.

CoFiA once again was represented at Leonia Day, May 21, 2017. Vice-Chair Carolyn Sobering, our cherished intern Andreanna (daughter of long-time CoFiA member Maria Andreu) and our energetic granddog Lola, welcomed visitors to the table and provided information about CoFiA’s mission and activities. Individuals and institutions in Leonia have been strong supporters of our organization for many years, both financially and in terms of volunteer support. Thank you!

CONTRIBUTIONS WELCOME FOR “AMERICANS HELPING PREMATURE CHILDREN FOUNDATION”

Our Community Organizer, Sayda Tuanama, has asked that we let the CoFiA Community know that there will be a fundraiser on Saturday, June 3, 2017, at 7 p.m. at the Mar y Tierra Restaurant, 44 Market Street, Passaic. The event features several hours of dancing and Peruvian music, and the donation for the dance is $25.

The Americans Helping Premature Children Foundation has helped Saydy respond to the needs of her own daughter who was born prematurely, and she is eager to help them as much as possible in return. Go to www.americanshelpingprematturechildrenfoundation to learn more, including how to donate.

Saydy’s daughter is facing several operations in the near future so she will be grateful for all contributions that can be made to the Foundation.

CONTRIBUCIONES BIENVENIDO PARA LOS “AMERICANOS AYUDA A FUNDACIÓN DE NIÑOS PREMATUROS”
Nuestro organizador de la comunidad, Sayda Tuanama, ha pedido que dejamos la comunidad de CoFiA saber que habrá una recaudación de fondos en sábado, 03 de junio de 2017, a 19:00 en el Mar y Tierra restaurante, 44 mercado Street, Passaic. Las características del evento varias horas de música de baile y peruana y la donación para el baile es de $25
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La americanos ayudando a la Fundación niños ha ayudado a Saydy a responder a las necesidades de su propia hija, que nació prematuramente, y está dispuesta a ayudarles tanto como sea posible a cambio. Vaya a www.americanshelpingprematturechildrenfoundation para aprender más.

Personas que deseen donar a la Fundación pueden transferir las donaciones a Chase Bank, número de cuenta 897815663, número de ruta 021202337. La Fundación cuenta con 501 © estado y las donaciones son deducibles de impuestos.

Hija de Saydy se enfrenta a varias operaciones en un futuro cercano por lo que será agradecido por todas las contribuciones que pueden hacerse a la Fundación.