A panel discussion regarding refugees will occur on March 6 at the First Congregational Church in Westfield. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
WESTFIELD – Last Thursday morning’s snow storm postponed the community gathering at the First Congregational Church in Westfield regarding refugees.
It was supposed to be the third informational hearing that has been hosted by W.A.R.M. (Welcoming Assistance Refugees Ministry). The meeting was set to provide those in attendance with more knowledge about Islam and the faith of the many arriving refugees in our local area.
The guest speaker for this particular event was going to be Aida Mansoor, who is the co-founder of the Muslim Coalition of Connecticut. The coalition tries to bring respect and understanding between all faiths.
The series of meetings that W.A.R.M. has planned over the last few months are important to them and the event with Mansoor will not be forgotten.
Shirely Anderson, a member of W.A.R.M., says at this time, the meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday April 6 at the First Congregational Church in Westfield.
However, those interested in attending these meetings will not have to wait until April as a panel discussion will be held on Thursday March 9.
Anderson says that one aspect of the meeting will have a representative of the Westfield Public Schools to speak about the process of local refugees getting their children into the schools and acclimating them to being a child in this area. More information on the panel discussion will be announced as it gets closer to the date.
The last informational meeting was held on Jan. 12 at the American Inn in Southwick. The meeting was called “Welcoming Newly Arrived Families: The Settlement Process”. The guest speakers were Mohammed Najeeb and Liliya Pantus, who are members of Ascentria, which is a local organization that helps refugees with their new life in America.
For information on the upcoming events in March and April, contact Anderson at 998-3760.
