Reunite Etando's Family!

We're raising money to be able to reunite half of a 13-member family of new Mainers from Biddeford with their family that just moved to Louisville, Kentucky.

This beautiful Congolese family is leaving Biddeford because they cannot afford the rent here and Louisville offers more opportunities for immigrants and refugees. I met them through Patsy Gendron's ELL class last summer when Etando, the sixth grader, came to Engine, the arts nonprofit that I run, with his class. We've become fast friends over the past year and have met his entire family. All the kids are so bright and talented and full of joy. Through Engine, the kids have met so many helpful people including Denise Desrochers who has been spending so much time tutoring the two older girls Jacqui and Elelwa, and playing with the little kids.

On Saturday, six of the kids (ages 18-5) were picked up by an arranged driver and taken to join a family member in Louisville. But the transportation for the remaining seven family members (three adults and four kids, ages 18-4) has fallen through. Catholic Charities has no funds to relocate them and they don't have enough money to pay for all seven to get to Kentucky another way. Their landlord is demanding $1000 for July rent to allow them to keep their current apartment through the 15th which is more than 1/2 their normal rent. Tickets for all seven on Greyhound will cost approximately $1300. I'm hoping to raise $2500 to cover bus tickets, rent, and to give them an extra $200 for incidentals on the 1.5 day trip. 

Denise and I are working to raise the funds as soon as possible, no later than July 11 hopefully, so we can get tickets for them on Greyhound. Taking the bus will allow them to bring their meager possessions.

I can't foot the bill myself or I would in a heartbeat so I'm asking for your help. If we all chip in, we can reunite this wonderful family and give them a leg up. 100% of the funds will be given to the family. Can we do this? I would be so ever grateful for your support.

Thank you for considering.