During this summer, I will be addressing the needs of immigrants in my local community by collecting and donating necessary furniture and goods.
Recently in the United States, there’s been rising numbers of immigrants. In Massachusetts especially, immigrants have been coming overseas with very little belongings. Thus, some non-profit organizations have taken the initiative to help them get settled. They have found that many of these immigrants are poor single mothers with children. One such non-profit is called Catholic Charities and works in my hometown, Easthampton. I reached out to the volunteer coordinator of this non-profit to inform them of my grant, and in order to see how I could help the situation. I learned that specifically, there have been two new families in our area, both single mothers with young children. One of the families is also soon to give birth to triplets.
Thus, my work begins by understanding the problem (low funds and donations for immigrant families), and proposing a solution using my grant money: to buy and donate new or gently used items to help alleviate the problem. Specifically, I asked this coordinator, Rubaba Azad, for a few items that the single moms were in crucial need of. She responded that new cribs, changing tables, bicycles and air conditioners were essential, as well as hygiene products. She also said there is a need for volunteers to organize the items once donated.
Though my original plan was only to buy and donate these items, I may also include a plan to volunteer organizing once or twice in my grant project over this summer. Thank you.
-Charlie ‘26
