July 12, 2022

President Anne Thorward spoke to members of the Claremont United Church of Christ (CUCC) via Zoom in June. She shared stories about how Newcomers Access Center (NAC) started and described its mission of helping refugees and immigrants in the Inland Valley. She talked about how volunteers from the community help refugees with learning English, transportation, signing kids up for school, shopping and so much more.  She explained how donations are used to provide things like rent subsidies, furniture, driving lessons, household items, new shoes, baby items, diapers, car seats, college tuition and textbooks, gift cards, down payment for a car or van  . . .  some of the things refugees and immigrants need to get settled and become independent. Anne thanked CUCC for its support as one of NAC’s partners. To view the talk visit the CUCC YouTube link.

Newcomers Access Center hosted a booth at the City of Claremont’s 4th of July festival in Memorial Park.  Thank you to all our volunteers and supporters who helped out and to the refugee families who attended. We received many visitors at the event and some signed up to donate or volunteer. Support from the local community is vital to our success, and we appreciate all who want to lend a hand in welcoming refugees to the Inland Valley.

A year ago, MP and his wife, NP, were a successful career couple in Afghanistan raising three lovely daughters, now 5, 2, and 1 year old. All that changed in August, when the Taliban took over the country, forcing the young couple to flee as refugees. We left everything in Afghanistan,” Mrs. P said. “We took only some of our documents and some diapers and formula for our kids… we left our house, our car, and our money in the bank, and we weren’t able to bring anything with us.” Also fleeing with them were Mrs. P’s older brother, his wife, three children, and their parents. Now the three families are starting from scratch, living in temporary housing in Claremont. The local mosque has organized a Go Fund Me to raise money toward the purchase of a car. We invite Newcomers Access Center supporters to contribute. Read more about this family on the Go Fund Me link.