All are welcome here!
What
is Centro El Refugio (The Refuge Center)?
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.
Who
Does El Refugio Serve?
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.
El
Refugio - Calendar
- Every
Monday from 8:00 - 10:00 PM, Spanish AA Open Meeting, Christ Episcopal
Church, 62 Main Street, Newton
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El
Refugio History
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.
How
is El Refugio Funded?
The director is working as a volunteer. Christ Episcopal Church donates the space, phone and internet connection. |
El
Refugio Vision
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. |
Services
of El Refugio
- 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.
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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 |
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