CoFiA in the news

Scan-001ScanOn Wednesday, February 18, 2015, a member of the Community of Friends in Action was quoted in an article in the Bergen RECORD entitled “U.S. puts protection from deportation on hold”.

The article by Monsy Alvarado, who writes frequently on immigration issues, detailed the delay of the federal government’s launch of the President’s executive orders shielding millions of immigrants living in the country illegally, from deportation.  The CoFiA member said she was “disappointed wiht the decision” but that CoFiA still planned to hold the event that had been planned for Monday in Palisades Park to explain the executive order to Immigrants who may be eligible.

The judge’s ruling on the executive order is part of an intense struggle between Republicans and Democrats to control the flow of immigration.  The Obama administration maintains that the president is well within his authority in issuing the executive order, and will appeal the ruling.

Jeh Johnson, secretary of Homeland Security, said he strongly disagreed with the court decision, but that the government will comply with it.  He stressed that the existing DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) would still be in effect.

This setback is extremely disappointing for the immigrants who have lived here as active and contributing members of our communities for many years, and must now continue to exist in the shadows as unwelcome residents.

CoFiA will continue its efforts toward real immigration reform in spite of this setback.

The article was on pages 1 and 5 of the Wednesday, February 18, RECORD.

Community Chest of Leonia gives grant to CoFiA

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Susan Shanno (left) and Norman Smith (right) present the check to Carolyn Sobering, chair of CoFiA

The Community of Friends in Action is grateful for a generous grant of $900 from the Community Chest of Leonia for our work with immigrants in the Eastern Bergen County area. The Community Chest has recognized this work for several years with grants, which have helped us continue our lunch programs, wage theft collection, workers’link program, and this year, especially, our efforts for immigration reform.

Many thanks!

A Monday Morning Miracle

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A happy group of guests gather around Michelle, the restaurant owner, after enjoying a bountiful lunch
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A wonderful gift of food on a bitter winter day was much appreciated.
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Guatemalans enjoy Kimchi!

This winter has been difficult for everybody, including the guests and volunteers who participate in the CoFiA lunch program. One week there was heavy snow, so there was plenty of shoveling work to be done. That week six volunteers and one guest came. The following week there was ice and bitter cold. The volunteer coordinator cancelled the lunch. But since there was no snow, there was no work for the men. When CoFiA secretary Guillermo dropped by the church, he found some 25 – 30 guests enjoying the warm space, but also hoping for lunch!

Just as Guillermo was reporting this, the Reverend Philip Rey, pastor of the Korean Church that rents the space from Grace Evangelical Lutheran, came in and saw what was happening. He immediately called a member of his congregation who is the owner of a Korean restaurant across the street. Within an hour she brought a wonderful hot Korean lunch for the workers! She and Pastor Philip and others also stayed to serve the food and clean up afterwards!

CoFiA chair Carolyn Sobering dashed over from Leonia to lend a hand, but found everything in good order and very happy people sharing a “miracle lunch.” She expressed our deep gratitude for this wonderful gift–for which we were not even permitted to pay!

Muchas gracias, Pastor Philip and Michelle!

Immigration Seminar February 23, 7:30 p.m.

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Attorney Michael Wildes wil present detailed information on the President’s Executive Action on Immigration

On Monday, February 23, 2015, at 7:30 p.m., at the Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Broad Avenue and Homestead Street, Palisades Park, CoFiA is sponsoring a special forum on the President’s Executive Action on Immigration. The forum will review the requirements for the DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans) and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) programs.

The speaker is Michael Wildes, a well known attorney and a Managing Partner with the leading immigration firm of Wildes and Weinberg PC in New York City, Englewood, and Miami, Florida. A former Federal Prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn, he is also an Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law and served two terms as the Mayor of Englewood, New Jersey. He was a member of the N.J. Governor’s Blue Ribbon Panel on Immigration as well.

The forum is open to all immigrants and friends and is free. It will be presented in both Spanish and English. Mr. Wildes and his staff will provide information and answer questions.

Applications for DACA available Feb. 15, 2015

uscis-signatureThe USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) has announced that they will begin accepting applications for the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program on the 18th of February. To help people prepare, USCIS is providing a “Frequently Asked Questions”and “Ïnstructions for completing form I-821D” in English and Spanish on their website–uscis.gov/accionmigratoria or uscis.gov/immigrationaction.

Applications for DAPA (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans) will not be available until May.

Helpful information on eligibility and documentation for the programs is provided on the site.

Mobile Consulate comes to West New York Feb. 21 and 22

Twice a year the Guatemalan consulate in New York organizes a “mobile consulate” that travels to various areas to provide consular services to people residing in those towns. Several thousand people usually take advantage of having passports renewed, receiving consular cedulas (I.D. cards), and other services. These are very important since people with no U.S. status are not able to travel freely, even to return to their homelands, without some form of identification.

This year there will be Mobile Consulate services at St. Joseph’s Church, 64 Palisades Ave. in West New York, on February 21 and 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The following weekend the Mobile Consulate will be in Fairview.

For more information send an email (Spanish or English) to us at info@communityoffriendsinaction.org.

Homeless in Bergen County

 

Gerry Drummond, far right, asks questions of two men living under an overpass while Jamie Schleck of Community Solutions looks on.
Point-inTime survey questioning two homeless men; photo by Amy Newman, staff photographer, the RECORD

 

The Bergen RECORD recently (Thursday, February 5, 2015) published an article describing the results of the annual Point-in-Time survey, a count of as many homeless people as could be found throughout Bergen and Passaic counties. A shocking photo of two very young men trying to survive under an overpass in Ridgefield accompanied the article.

CoFiA did not know these two men, but  several people have come to us asking for help in finding shelter. We contacted the Bergen County homeless shelter on River Road in Hackensack, and found that even though the shelter is always full, during the bitter cold months people are admitted to stay in the “sit-up” rooms, where they are given a chair, a blanket, and access to showers, three meals, and laundry.

We were able to let the people looking for help know of this option, and that we would help them get there if necessary. However, the men did not return and the word on the street was that they had been able to relocate to regular housing–maybe as a result of money earned during the snow storm.

We are grateful to Julia Orlando, director of the Bergen County shelter, and her assistant Mary Sunden, for working with us to find a way to alleviate this misery. Although we hope that there will be no further incidences of homelessness, at least we know where to turn for help.

ESL Students become Teachers

CoFiA ESL Intermediate class holiday party
ESL Intermediates and teachers at the holiday party

During the recent stretch of bad weather, the teacher of our beginners ESL class was not able to be with us. As students drifted in, the room was soon filled with a mixed group of beginners and intermediates, with no lesson appropriate to both. The intermediate students cheerfully stepped in and assisted the beginners, including a very young man who just arrived two months ago.

We had a happy evening as the beginners learned some basic phrases (What is your name? How long have you been here?) and the English names of vegetables! Amazing how interesting vegetables can be in a cross-cultural discussion!

Thanks to the new “maestros” for sharing their experience and expertise!

Let it Snow!!!

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Snow means money for rent, food, and more!
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One worker reported being able to earn $500 for a day’s shoveling.
Winter snow is a challenge.
CoFiA received many requests for shovelers

Recent snowstorms brought much-needed relief during a winter of bitter cold but little work. The CoFiA Workers Link phone line was busy, but most of the workers went on their on. There was so much work that our lunch program, which has been serving as many as 70 people every Monday, had only one guest! Homeowners reported that they usually had to give the shovelers more money than was asked because their requests seemed too low.

So what has been misery for many of us has been a blessing for others. The people who came to us seeking shelter reported that they have been able to find rooms. Others have been able to put money away against another lean time.

Thanks to all who offered work for people who really want and need it!