Social Action
As we know, COVID-19 and the economic downturn have disproportionately impacted Black and Latinx communities across the nation, including in the Merrimack Valley. There are several ways you can support families in need in Haverhill and Lawrence, two of the most densely populated areas in the Merrimack Valley.
HAVERHILL
LAWRENCE
- Emmaus. Emmaus is a community-based nonprofit corporation founded in 1985 to provide housing and services to homeless adults and families in Haverhill. Emmaus programs span emergency shelters, affordable housing, homelessness prevention and housing stabilization services, and education and job training, as well as community outreach.
- One Haverhill fund (via United Way) mobilizes resources for emergency assistance and expanded food distribution, with a focus on those who are most economically vulnerable during the pandemic. These funds will cover the costs of essential needs including, but not limited to, rent, food, utilities, internet connectivity, childcare, medications, and other basic necessities. Priority will be given to those who are most economically vulnerable to this crisis. All donations will be collected by United Way and distributed by established Haverhill nonprofit organizations with a track record of administering assistance funds
- Sacred Hearts Food Pantry, Bradford, serves 1,000–1,200 families each week. Many families in our area are now out of work and facing financial crisis. The Sacred Hearts Food Pantry gives a helping hand to those in need. Please consider donating these non-perishable items: canned beans, one-pound bags of rice, peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, canned chicken, cereal, boxed macaroni and cheese, tomato sauce, pasta sauce, crackers, paper towels, toilet paper, and diapers (sizes 3, 4, and 5). Drop off Monday–Friday (8:00–11:00 am) am at the Sacred Hearts Church parking lot (Next to 6 Carleton Avenue, Bradford). Pick up for those in need on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (8:00–11:00 am).
LAWRENCE
- Groundwork Lawrence (Restaurant Donations). Groundwork Lawrence has been administering a great program in which donations are distributed to 8 Lawrence restaurants who then use the money to make meals for the Y and the Boys and Girls Club. It is a two-fer; it helps the restaurants and gives hot meals to hungry people. They are just about out of money though and may have to end it next week, as they need $13,000 to be able to provide meals for the full week next week. If anyone would like to contribute, go to GroundworksLawrence.org and find the donate button, then select Covid Relief. They also continue to subsidize CSA shares and Farmers' Market Purchases.
- The One Lawrence Fund was established by the United Way and Lawrence community leaders to distribute resources to cover the costs of rent, food, utilities, childcare, medications and other basic necessities. Funds go directly to the families who need it most by focusing on those who do not qualify for other types of assistance, such as employment. Organizations give families a gift card they can use to purchase food and other supplies (up to $300 total.) Partners include The Center, Lawrence Community Works, Groundwork Lawrence, ACT Lawrence, and Greater Lawrence Community Action Council.
Temple Emanu-El Statement of Support for Immigrants and the Merrimack Valley Sanctuary Network
America has always been a nation of immigrants—immigrants escaping tyranny and oppression, immigrants in search of education, immigrants seeking the satisfaction and reward of a hard day’s work, and immigrants praying to raise their children in a better place. Jewish immigrants have, throughout our history, aspired to these same goals and made these same journeys. As Americans, we serve as a beacon to the world, gathering in those who share our commitment to freedom and justice. On occasion, however, we stray from our values and must reaffirm our great purpose. This is one of those times. Certainly, our nation has the right to secure its borders and bar from entering those who would do us ill, but we must remind ourselves that, like our own families, the vast majority of immigrants come to these shores simply to make a better life. For this reason, Temple Emanu-El in Haverhill offers its support to the immigrant community of the Merrimack Valley.
We have the utmost respect for the law enforcement officers of our immigration services. We are grateful for their efforts to safeguard us from real and serious threats to our nation. We believe, however, that the current policy of aggressive enforcement is in conflict with our Jewish and American values. We believe that separating families and disrupting the lives of immigrants who have committed no other crime than their mere presence here is unjust and misguided. This policy weakens the fabric of our nation and diminishes our leadership in the world. We urge our government to moderate it and focus enforcement more carefully on those who legitimately threaten our well-being. Hardworking immigrants who pay taxes and contribute to society do not threaten us—they enrich us. Young students pursuing their dreams do not threaten us—they honor us. We cannot, and will not, turn our backs on them.
Circumstances do not permit us to offer refuge directly to those in need, but we stand with the institutions in our community who can do so. We pledge our support to help feed, clothe, educate, and comfort immigrants in their care. We will support their legal defense and we will bear witness when necessary so their plights will not go unnoticed.
Our tradition commands and compels us to heal the world in whatever ways we can. We have been taught that God defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. We have been taught that we too are to love those who are strangers, for we were strangers in Egypt. As a sacred community, we embrace these responsibilities anew.
The Board of Directors of Temple Emanu-El, Haverhill, Massachusetts, June 21, 2017
We have the utmost respect for the law enforcement officers of our immigration services. We are grateful for their efforts to safeguard us from real and serious threats to our nation. We believe, however, that the current policy of aggressive enforcement is in conflict with our Jewish and American values. We believe that separating families and disrupting the lives of immigrants who have committed no other crime than their mere presence here is unjust and misguided. This policy weakens the fabric of our nation and diminishes our leadership in the world. We urge our government to moderate it and focus enforcement more carefully on those who legitimately threaten our well-being. Hardworking immigrants who pay taxes and contribute to society do not threaten us—they enrich us. Young students pursuing their dreams do not threaten us—they honor us. We cannot, and will not, turn our backs on them.
Circumstances do not permit us to offer refuge directly to those in need, but we stand with the institutions in our community who can do so. We pledge our support to help feed, clothe, educate, and comfort immigrants in their care. We will support their legal defense and we will bear witness when necessary so their plights will not go unnoticed.
Our tradition commands and compels us to heal the world in whatever ways we can. We have been taught that God defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. We have been taught that we too are to love those who are strangers, for we were strangers in Egypt. As a sacred community, we embrace these responsibilities anew.
The Board of Directors of Temple Emanu-El, Haverhill, Massachusetts, June 21, 2017
Here's how you can help:
- Community Meals
- Feed Your Neighbor
- Coat Drive
- Donations to Emmaus House
- Family Services of the Merrimack Valley
- Merrimack Valley Project