Our team from the Neighborhood Church of Dorchester is accompanying a refugee family through the resettlement process with Welcome NST. The family just arrived – a mother and three sons from the Democratic Republic of Congo!

We are looking for two areas of support:

1. We’re looking to connect them with the local Congolese community, especially anyone who speaks Lingala. Language is a significant barrier, as they speak Lingala fluently and some French too. We recognize the need and value for co-ethnics from a similar background and who may have traveled a similar journey. Having people that they can feel at home with will be particularly significant in this holiday season.

2. We are looking for a 2BR unit or apartment available starting in January in the Boston/Lowell area. It must be a separate apartment or unit, rather than a community living situation. We are praying for an alternative apartment arrangement, rather than through a realtor. As they have entered the country under refugee status, it will be difficult for them to meet the basic requirements to secure standard housing due to a lack of references, credit score, and proof of income. However they will have around $9,500 due to a federal grant program. They have some connections in Lowell so we are prayerfully considering having Lowell be their “home base.”

We would appreciate if you would share this with your networks and communities. We have seen how Boston can open our hearts and hands in welcome to our global immigrants and refugees!

We look forward to hearing from you – Rev. Kelly can be reached at kelly@uniteboston.com.