November 20, 2024 Newsletter

President Collier started the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary 4 Way Test …......  
Of the things we think, say or do: Is it the TRUTH, Is it FAIR to all concerned, Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS, Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned
GREETER: Thank you, Justin a& John, for greeting us this morning.
 
GUESTS:  Drew Hazelton and KJ from Rescue. Liv Berelson – Executive Director of the community Asylum Seekers Project.
SERVER: Tristam was our server this week and Melissa will be next up.
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES:   Mona recently celebrated her 7 year Rotary anniversary.
 
SCRIBE: –November 20th is Toni, December 4th is Dan Dietz.
 
STUDENT ROTARIANS:  Hinsdale High School
Olivia-The school is hosting a financial aid night on December 6th. She has started to receive acceptance letters from a few colleges, Keene State, Plymouth and Colby Sawyer. She is hoping to attend Colby Sawyer next fall.
Trace- Boys soccer made it to the round of playoff games, first time in a long time. The first quarter officially ended and grades are in.
 
SERVICE ABOVE SELF STORY:
Debra recently went to a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto with her daughter and was amazed by the spirit of kindness throughout the concert. She really felt it reflect the values of Rotary.  
 
ANNOUNCEMENTS:  
  1. Trivia – This Wednesday! Caleb’s Cherubs was the charity partner.
  2. Friends of the West River Trail – Nov 21st – celebrating the new parcel of land donated to them.
  3. Nick found Rotary beanies in his garage. See him if you want one.
  4. Cornhole tournament has found a venue thanks to Kevin who reached out to Carol Lolatte. It will be at the West River Park on May 17-18.
  5. Kevin saw Rich Hoppe the other day who ha a $50 donation check to Rotary from Ian Diamondstone because of all the good work the club does.
  6. Window Dressers was a great success and there was a little challenge between swifts to see who could assemble the most inserts. The AM shift on the first day managed to crank out 112 and the 2nd shift not to be out done completed 115. Way to go team!!
  7. Mona received an email from the Drop In Center, they are looking for help with eth Thanksgiving dinner (mashed potatoes to be specific)They average 60-665 people each night and are expecting more for Thanksgiving. If you are around and have time to cook please contact them about donating food.
CARDS: Ten of Spades… The card was in the deck……
 
BRAGS:
 
Kevin- Bragged for Justin and the Hunters Breakfast he put on at the American Legion this past Saturday. Great buffet and lots of conversation and camaraderie.
 
Mona- Bragged $7 for 7 years. It has been the best time of her life. She has made wonderful friendships and cannot imagine her life without it. She also bragged for Evelyn as a Remarkable Woman nominee. The event will be held Thursday night to announce the winners. We are all keeping our fingers crossed for Evelyn.
 
Evelyn- Bragged for Mona who she was on cruise with several years and she talked her into joining Rotary. She is very grateful for the club and the friendships she has made. She also had a “Brag and Bitch” for her husband….They recently went up to Maine and brought home 350 pounds of potatoes. Evelyn wanted to include some in a food basket they were assembling at  Members First CU but her husband had already distributed all 350#s. She ended having to go buy more at the grocery store.
 
Justin- Bragged for the Hunters Breakfast. He was there from 2am to noon and was running purely on Mt Dew!! They fed approximately 57/58 people and raised $550ish between the raffle and breakfast (not exactly sure of the numbers as things were a little fuzzy at the end).
 
 
Nick- Bragged for his kids…Jack worked really hard and got straight A’s his first quarter at BAMS. His Storm season wrapped up and they placed 3rd overall. Caroline moved up to gold in gymnastics, adding tricks, parallel bars and the high bar. Her first meet is this Sunday and she stayed home the pervious weekend to work on her skills. Nick is so proud of how both kids are trying to improve and grow.
 
Dan – Bragged for Rescue because 10or 11 years ago he was biking on the West River Trail with a friend who fell in. Rescue Inc came and helped with the boat Rotary had donated to them.
 
 
SPEAKER:  Liv Berelson – Executive Director of the community Asylum Seekers Project.
The main difference between refugees and asylum seekers is that refugees have been legally recognized as such, while asylum seekers are still waiting for a decision on their asylum claim: 
Refugees Have fled their country to seek safety and cannot return without risking their life or freedoms. They are entitled to certain protections and must be treated the same as nationals of the country they are in. 
Asylum seekers Have left their country to seek protection from persecution or human rights violations, but have not yet been recognized as a refugee. Seeking asylum is a human right. 
In the United States, to be eligible for asylum, you must:
Be physically present in the United States 
Demonstrate that you were persecuted or fear persecution in your home country due to your race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion 
File Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, with USCIS within one year of your arrival in the United States 
What are considered reasons for asylum?
  • Race
  • Religion
  • Nationality
  • Political opinion
  • Membership in a particular social group
What are NOT considered reasons for asylum?
  • General crime or violence
  • Poverty
  • Climate change
  • Under the Trump administration, gang violence and domestic violence
WHAT DOES CASP DO?
CASP provides the following services to asylum seekers & asylees in southern VT:
  • Social services: Securing housing, preparing for and finding employment, enrollment in health insurance, school and childcare, mental health support, connection with resources (food banks, dental clinics, etc.) and enrollment in social services programs (WIC, ReachUp, etc.), and general support.
  • Legal services: Source pro or low bono representation for those in defensive proceedings, assist in filing asylum applications or work permits, reunite children left in their home country with their parents here, and work with immigration, family, labor, and personal injury attorneys to advocate for our clients.
  • Beyond direct services: We are part of the VTNHASN coalition and partner with other nonprofits such as ECDC, BDCC, VAAP, United Way, and many others to:
    • Advocate for policy changes and programs (language access, fair policing etc.)
    • Advocate for state funding and widening state program eligibility.
    • Push for enforcement of already instated policies (DMV, police, etc.)
    • Create sustainable systems for long-term support of Vermont’s asylum seeker population (ONA, intake, government, etc.)
Some new projects:
  • Mental health: CASP recently received a grant to provide mental health services to its clients. We are partnering with therapists in Mexico, Honduras, and Tajikistan to provide culturally competent teletherapy in clients’ own language.
  • Pro se clinic: CASP is currently holding two pro se clinics; an asylum and work permit one in coordination with VAAP, and a green card clinic for refugees and asylees with ECDC and VAAP.
  • Publications: CASP has published language access materials and pro se manuals for asylum applications and work permits to be distributed by nonprofits across the state.
 
WHY IS CASP NECESSARY?
Barriers to Accessing Asylum:
  • No right to legal representation
  • Language/literacy barriers
  • Unaccompanied minors- 9/10 who appear without an attorney are deported
  • Basic needs taking precedence
  • Unethical attorneys or fraud
  • Financial barriers
  • Immigration detention
WHAT CAN I DO?
  • Provide rides to asylum seekers who do not yet have their license or a car.
  • Take someone grocery shopping or to the food bank.
  • Connect someone with an internship or volunteer work.
  • Invite them to a hike, park, or concert– being unable to work for a year is very boring.
  • Donate your old car, phone, or laptop.
  • Be someone’s landlord or employer liaison.
  • Be part of a family or individual’s general support team.
  • Interpret or translate.
  • Host an individual or family! This can be anywhere from a month to a year– it is up to you.
  • Are you an attorney? Represent them in their asylum proceedings.
  • Donate to CASP!
INFO@CASPVT.ORG
WWW.CASPVT.ORG
112 HARDWOOD WAY
BRATTLEBORO, VT 05301