What is El Refugio (The Refuge)?
El Refugio is an organization created to serve the Immigrant population of Sussex County. It is an outreach center focusing on providing services to the Latino community, who often face barriers when receiving services. It is located in the basement of the Christ Episcopal Church, 62 Main Street, Newton.
Is this organization limited exclusively to the Latino community?
No. El Refugio will serve people from any national origin, particularly concentrating on recent immigrants, who often have the greatest needs.
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Thursday, July 24th from 9:00 - 3:00 PM, Circles Training: Bridges Out of Poverty at Christ Episcopal Church, Newton. Call Terry Newhard at 908-454-7000, ext. 110 for more information.
- Every Monday from 8:00 - 10:00 PM, Spanish AA Open Meeting, Christ Episcopal Church, 62 Main Street, Newton
- 4th Thursday of every month, 7:00 PM, IFSS Family Support Group. This group is open to any relative or caretaker of individuals with a mental illness, Christ Church, 62 Main Street, Newton. Call 973-702-2741 for more information.
- August 19th, 6:00 - 8:00 PM - NORWESCAP/El Refugio "Check it Out!" training on the basics of a checking account. Bilingual Training. Open to all public; please call Lelia Gomet, 973-383-5099 to register, 62 Main Street, Newton (entrance on Church Street) Click here for English flyer; Click here for Spanish flyer
- Saturday, August 23, 2008, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM - Workshop on Human Rights for Detainees and People in the Process of Deportation, El Refugio, 62 Main Street, Newton (Entrance on Church Street) - This workshop is free, bilingual and is open to everyone, please call Lelia Gomez 973-383-5099 to register. Lunch will be provided. Click here for English language flyer; Click here for Spanish language flyer.
- September 8, 2008, 12:00 Noon and September 15, 2008, 5:00 PM, Registration for Spanish Classes - Basic and Advanced. 62 Main Street, Newton (Entrance on Church Street). Classes start on September 22, 2008 and end December 1, 2008. $100 per 10 classes
- Monday, September 29, 2008, 4:00 - 6:00 PM. FLU Clinic at El Refugion, 62 Mains Street, Newton (entrance is on Church Street), Sponsored by CSS and Public Health Nursing
El Refugio was inaugurated with a gala ribbon cutting celebration in April 2006. This was possible thanks to a $40,000 grant from the New Jersey Department of State through funds allocated to the Faith-Based Initiatives Program administered by the State Department of New Jersey.
El Refugio was created with the support of a coalition of agencies and religious organizations serving in New Jersey which have in common the well-being of the Immigrants. These include: the Migrant Ministry of the Roman Catholic Church Diocese of Paterson; The Center for Prevention and Counseling; Big Brothers Big Sisters of Sussex County; the American Institute of Hispanic Heritage; and the Christ Episcopal Church.
El Refugio, staffed by bilingual Director, Lelia Gomez, assists people with a wide range of issues from immigration to helping access the Internet.
In addition to the grant from the New Jersey Department of State Faith-Based Initiatives Program (administered by the State Department of New Jersey), additional funding partners include: Blessed Kateri Roman Catholic Church Migrant Ministry; Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church of Newton; The Law Firm of Jeffrey Katz, Esq.; The Missionary Servants of the Most Holly Trinity; and Thorlabs, Inc.
The vision of El Refugio is to create a Sussex County Community that embraces and celebrates diverse cultures and provides a safe and supportive home for all.
El Refugio Mission
The mission of El Refugio is to contribute to the empowerment of the Latino community by building bridges to better integrate with the established Sussex community.
- A resource center that strengthens Latino families and children by providing a place addressing their needs.
- A bridge between the number of social services providers who seek to access an underserved community.
- A connection between the Latino families with both public and private services available in the area.
- Assistance to the Latino population to integrate into the mainstream life of Sussex County.
- Immigration help.
- A
way to promote the Latino culture in Sussex County in a way that inspires
the established community.
- To act as a referral agency to clients can receive services they deserve.
- To defend the rights of recent immigrants.
- To organize and support cultural events.
- To act as a translator advocate to our clients before governmental, school and medical entities.
- To translate brochures for Sussex County Social Services.
El Refugio's Hosted Successful Three Kings Celebration
El Refugio celebrated its yearly "Three Kings Celebration" for the Hispanic Community of Sussex County. We were "visited" by the Three Kings: Erik Schroder, Ed Madzy and Yuri Barradas. Thanks to the help of the community, our own Family Recreation Committee and the generous donation from Jeff Katz, Esq., 134 kids from our community received a present from the Three Kings, and their families enjoyed a wonderful celebration. The Spanish students from Pope John's High School were also present singing Spanish Christmas Carols. We made front page in the New Jersey Herald the next day!
Lelia Gomez
El Refugio Coordinator
El Refugio is located at 62 Main Street, Newton, NJ 07860 (Basement of the Christ Episcopal Church)
For
more information on the services and programs offered through El Refugio
contact Lelia Gomez, Director
Phone: 973-383-5099 - Email: lelia@centerforprevention.org
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