Will YOU participate in a LOVE story?

By accident of birth, many of us have been afforded opportunities we have done nothing to obtain...running water, adequate and safe housing, food and/or a place to call home. While we all have stories of struggle, grief, and the need to overcome, there are people praying for the very things that we all take for granted today.

Imagine having to escape extreme violence at the hands of a family member who was supposed to be the protector of the physical and emotional well-being of the children, not to mention the constant threat of criminal bands and gangs in their home country in Central America.

The Interfaith Partnership for Refugee Resettlement of Newtown, CT (IPRR) has been working with this family, who must remain anonymous for their own safety. This refugee family with two young children has had to flee their country, and have come to the US legally - yet struggle to put a roof over their heads and buy enough groceries for the simplest of meals.

We are INVITING YOU to take action...and perhaps change the narrative of of this family.

The young father in this family is actively working (although not in the field in which he was educated) AND is willing to sacrifice to provide for his family. There is a mother who spends her night thinking about the future of her children. The family has obtained the status of permanent residents of CT (with immigration status of refugee). They have unrestricted Social Security cards and work authorizations. They have jobs and a very clear path to citizenship (their applications for green cards have already been started). They have both passed their driver's license tests and their children have settled into a new elementary school. One member of our community recently helped the family get a used car. THANK YOU!

During their first year after arriving in the US, refugee families have to quickly find jobs, set up and maintain a household budget, and learn how to cover the high costs of day-to-day living in Connecticut. Even though they receive some temporary assistance from the government, their jobs in the first year have only paid minimum wage, and so almost every dollar of their income goes to pay for the most basic of necessities, with very little left for savings.

Our total fundraising goal of $7,000 might not sound like a great deal to many of us. For this precious family, it means being able to (1) sign a lease for a safe, affordable place to live; landlords are mostly requiring first and last month's rent + security deposit, and (2) paying for car insurance to help the family find higher paying jobs away from bus routes - two key steps to a sustainable life in their new home in Connecticut.

Keep in mind, if you spend $4 on one (1) coffee a week that equals over $200 in a year. Would you spend $200 to help two young children have a chance? Would you spend $100? Would you spend $20? Would you spend $1,000?.... No amount is too much... No amount is too little... All we ask is that you take a minute, search yourself and invite a generous heart to consider our invitation.

Make a donation today to provide the family with a much-needed head start as they take the next step toward financial independence in their transition year ahead!

If you prefer to send in a donation via check, please make check a out to “Trinity Episcopal Church,” add “IPRR donation” in the bottom left memo section of your check, and mail the check to:

Trinity Episcopal Church Newtown

Attn: Donation to IPRR

36 Main St.

Newtown, CT 06470

This LOVE story may not happen without YOU. This may be one story you don't want to miss.