March 2025. The abrupt termination of federal financial support for refugee resettlement has led to chaos and hardship among newly arrived refugees and other legal immigrants to the U.S. Our Interfaith Refugee Family Support Initiative is appealing to our congregations to help bridge the gap left by the funding cutoff. We are hoping to raise $30,000 over a three-week period.

Funds will be used to provide support that families otherwise would have received, including initial cash assistance to cover family necessities, rent, case management, employment, and other services. Emergency rent payments are critical to avoid eviction for refugees who have not yet been obtain to gain employment to pay for this on their own. With our members’ volunteer and financial support, the Interfaith Refugee Family Support Initiative has helped resettle numerous refugee families over the last eight years.

If you are able, please contribute to the Interfaith Refugee initiative. All donations are tax deductible. Given the fluidity of the situation, donated funds will be used to fill gaps as needed. Most funds collected will be used to make donations for specified purposes to registered 501 (c) (3) organizations such as Homes Not Borders and Solutions in Hometown Connections (SHC) that have partnered with resettlement agencies and congregations such as ours. Some funds may be used to provide direct support to individual refugee families who need emergency assistance. The Refugee Support Initiative has done this responsibly with several families since its inception in 2016.

Please make checks payable to BHPC with REFUGEE FUND in the memo line. Send checks to 6601 Bradley Hills Blvd, Bethesda, Maryland 20817. You may also drop a check off at the Church Office during weekday office hours.

We and those we serve thank you for your support.

Brigitte Burgett and Evelyn Ganzglass, cochairs of the Interfaith Refugee Family Support Initiative.