Support for Congolese Refugees (February 2017)
Assuming the legal situation does not change, we hope to welcome a refugee family from the Congo on February 27, 2017. The family consists of three siblings in their 20s who will be settled in Dorchester under the direct sponsorship of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Boston (CCAB).
CCAB is one of the nine national agencies authorized to resettle refugees and one of only four with offices in the Boston area. Under CCAB's guidance, we will help support the family with the aim of helping them become self-sufficient as soon as possible. The parish of St. Luke and St Joseph in Belmont is also collaborating on this effort in a similar capacity. Our HTUMC committee is in close contact with CCAB staff and with the Belmont church.
Our first project is to collect furnishings for their apartment, which needs to be functional by the time they arrive on February 27. Below is a list of items we are looking for. We will try to update this list regularly. Please email us at if you have something to donate.
We will probably be setting up the apartment on the weekend, Feb 25-26, and would like to have all bulky items by the evening of Feb 24.
If we receive duplicates, they will either be used to help other refugee families in our area or, if appropriate, sent to a refugee camp in Syria under the NuDay Syria project.
BEDROOM
BATHROOM
KITCHEN
LIVING ROOM
GENERAL CLEANING
CLOTHING
The family WILL need winter clothing but we won’t have sizes until they arrive. Jackets and boots (easier to fit) may be useful, but we’d like to have some gift cards for clothing stores. We know that a mall in Dorchester has Target, Marshall and TJ Maxx (see below under "Misc:). Refugees appreciate being able to choose their own clothing.
Gently used clothing IS very much wanted to send to the refugee camps in Syria. More information coming soon about the NuDay Lenten project. Meanwhile, if you are interested, see their website nudaysyria.net
FOOD
We will need to stock the kitchen with a week’s supply of food, but do not yet have a list of culturally appropriate items, so cash donations to cover this would be appreciated, especially given the short time frame.
MISC
Marshall’s
TJ Maxx
Old Navy
Home Depot
Best Buy
Stop & Shop (this may not be the closest or cheapest grocery - we do not yet know the address)
Dunkin Donuts
Olive Garden
Applebees
Note that there is no sales tax on gift cards.
If someone wishes to donate cash or new-purchased items and would like the tax deduction, they can donate money to the church designated for Refugee Committee and we will purchase the items, sales tax exempted.
CCAB is one of the nine national agencies authorized to resettle refugees and one of only four with offices in the Boston area. Under CCAB's guidance, we will help support the family with the aim of helping them become self-sufficient as soon as possible. The parish of St. Luke and St Joseph in Belmont is also collaborating on this effort in a similar capacity. Our HTUMC committee is in close contact with CCAB staff and with the Belmont church.
Our first project is to collect furnishings for their apartment, which needs to be functional by the time they arrive on February 27. Below is a list of items we are looking for. We will try to update this list regularly. Please email us at if you have something to donate.
We will probably be setting up the apartment on the weekend, Feb 25-26, and would like to have all bulky items by the evening of Feb 24.
If we receive duplicates, they will either be used to help other refugee families in our area or, if appropriate, sent to a refugee camp in Syria under the NuDay Syria project.
BEDROOM
- 3 twin beds (already received)
- NEW twin mattress set #1
- NEW twin mattress set #2
- NEW twin mattress set #3
- Bedroom bureau #1
- Bedroom bureau #2
- Bedroom bureau #3
- Mirror(s)
- Night stand(s)
- Bedside lamp(s)
- 3-6 sets of sheets (twin size preferred)
- Pillow cases
- 6 blankets – twin or full size
- 3 comforters – twin or full size
- 3 or more pillows
- Clothes hangers
BATHROOM
- Towels, washcloths
- Curtains & curtain rods
- Shower curtain
- Shower mat
- Razors and/or shavers, shaving cream
- Soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo
- Toilet paper
- Sanitary napkins (not tampons)
KITCHEN
- Kitchen table
- Kitchen Chairs (4)
- Set of dishes
- Set of cutlery (set of 4 or more)
- Set of Cookware (pots & pans)
- Cooking utensils
- Kettle
- Coffee pot
- Toaster or toaster oven
- Microwave
LIVING ROOM
- Couch
- Living room chair(s)
- Coffee Table (already donated)
- Lamps
GENERAL CLEANING
- Trash cans & supply of trash bags
- Laundry detergent
- Dishwashing soap
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Mop & Cleaning supplies
- Food storage containers
- Paper towels
CLOTHING
The family WILL need winter clothing but we won’t have sizes until they arrive. Jackets and boots (easier to fit) may be useful, but we’d like to have some gift cards for clothing stores. We know that a mall in Dorchester has Target, Marshall and TJ Maxx (see below under "Misc:). Refugees appreciate being able to choose their own clothing.
Gently used clothing IS very much wanted to send to the refugee camps in Syria. More information coming soon about the NuDay Lenten project. Meanwhile, if you are interested, see their website nudaysyria.net
FOOD
We will need to stock the kitchen with a week’s supply of food, but do not yet have a list of culturally appropriate items, so cash donations to cover this would be appreciated, especially given the short time frame.
MISC
- Cell phone(s) - one has already been provided
- Computer or laptop
- MBTA monthly pass cards
- Gift cards to local stores. The Dorchester mall likely to be convenient for them has the following stores and restaurants:
Marshall’s
TJ Maxx
Old Navy
Home Depot
Best Buy
Stop & Shop (this may not be the closest or cheapest grocery - we do not yet know the address)
Dunkin Donuts
Olive Garden
Applebees
Note that there is no sales tax on gift cards.
If someone wishes to donate cash or new-purchased items and would like the tax deduction, they can donate money to the church designated for Refugee Committee and we will purchase the items, sales tax exempted.