The United Methodist Foundation of New England and New England Justice for Our Neighbors (NE JFON) have established a matching fund to help support our new Afghan neighbors in New England. In the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan tens of thousands of families were evacuated. They are men, women, and children whose lives were endangered by the new regime; many had assisted U.S. military.

Among the first evacuees and refugees here in New England will be 150-200 persons to be settled in Lowell, MA, with additional arrivals anticipated in Boston and Manchester, NH. Most of these people will arrive with nothing but the clothes on their backs. They usually do not speak English or understand life in the U.S. and are not immediately eligible for government assistance.

The International Institute of New England (IINE) has long been used by the U.S. State Department as a primary nonprofit for the resettlement of refugees in New England and has experienced staff to assist these new arrivals. IINE relies on donors to provide financial assistance and furnishings to those beginning their new lives here in the U.S. 

Update - Sept. 27, 2021

To date, the response has been inspiring. At a recent Ad Council meeting Steve Whitcomb, a member of the Thorpe Endowment Committee at Northside UMC in Brewster, MA, brought a proposal to send $5,000 to support this matching fund program.  

Ad Council Chair David Munch, referencing the parable of the owner who gave three servants money to handle while his was away, said, “We have been blessed by endowments entrusted to us and so we need to follow the example of the first two servants and do more. I propose that the amount be increased to $10,000.” 

The motion was passed unanimously with an additional call to collect coats and other supplies.  

“We felt called as a faith community to support our new neighbors financially and spiritually as they begin this new journey in their lives,” Whitcomb said.

How might you or your faith community respond?  All gifts received at the Foundation by Oct. 5 will be matched up to a total of $20,000 and contributed to IINE on behalf of United Methodists across New England.

Support the Afghan Fund by sending checks to the address below, transferring funds to the Foundation, or donating online at www.umfne.org 

United Methodist Foundation of New England
34 Route 111, Suite 102
Derry, NH 03038
Attn: AFGHAN NEIGHBOR FUND