ASYLUM SEEKER UPDATE!
The temporary shelter here in Sanford for our new Angolan friends that arrived in May was closed yesterday, per order of the City Council. We have found and transitioned nearly all of the 32 families into apartments!
BUT………
There are still lots of needs in order to set these families up for success and independence in our communities:
* There is an urgent need for washer and dryer sets. Folks don't have a lot of clothing and are doing the wash in their bathtubs. A little bit of funding is available, if there are marketplace or Craigslist items available, we would need to be notified of available units and coordination for those to be picked up and transported to the local homes.
* There are 3 families awaiting for their apartments in Lewiston to be ready. Some minor work is needed in each unit, such as various flooring and window work. These families have no place to go except to camp out in one of our parishioners back yards. This is also an urgent need so we don’t lose these units and the families can actually be under a roof again!
* Someone is needed to connect with a local fishery in Portland who reached out and has a large donation of frozen fish for Sanford. We would like to get this fish out to families in long term housing, as their food budgets are very limited and they can obtain work permits. It would entail someone zipping to Portland with a bunch of coolers for pickup. Once back to Sanford one of the organizers will tag in to section out and distribute the fish.
* If you are interested in doing home visits to meet folks we can hook you up! There are files for each family and specific questions that need to be asked of each family so we can map a plan to best serve them. We have approximately 20 families that need visits.
Can anyone help?
Please contact Ashley at the parish office if you can help with any of these requests or are able to host one of a family in your home until their new home is ready.

Thank you in advance! Please continue keep the families and all those who have helped them in your prayers.