Our Work

Newton-Brookline Asylum Resettlement Coalition (NBARC) began resettling asylum seekers in March 2017 as part of the Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM), an interfaith organization whose goals are to provide support to asylum seekers and to build bridges among communities of different faiths. In 2019, we became a stand-alone coalition led by a Steering Committee of members from our six congregations.

The Clients

Over the past several years, many volunteers from our six congregations have been assisting individuals and families who are fleeing persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion. 

Individuals and families have come from countries all over the world, including from Ethiopia, Cameroon, Uganda, Kenya, Colombia, Honduras, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Haiti and from a refugee camp in Iraq. 

The Successes

• The majority of our clients have moved from dependency to self-sufficiency. 

• One client is working full time at a local nonprofit and has her own apartment in Boston. 

• Another client has been recognized for her French language skills and was hired as an assistant teacher in a suburban school system. In addition to working, she is pursuing a college degree for teacher certification.

• A client who found employment in the high-tech industry has repaid us for the down payment we subsidized when his family was finally able to move to a rental apartment of their own. 

• In 2021 we began helping a young high school student from Central America, stabilizing her living situation with extended family and helping her set up internet access so she can participate in remote learning with her class. She now has an NBARC team of volunteers to help address other needs as they arise. 

• Also in 2021, we welcomed a non-English speaking family of five from Afghanistan. The family has now grown to six and are settled in Cambridge, MA. Father has a job, the kids are fluent in English and attend school. 

• In 2024 we assisted a Haitian family of four to find work and school locally, and ultimately a home and job near family in Connecticut. 

These success stories are a tribute to the resilience and determination of the clients with whom we work along with the contribution of time, resources, and financial support from the NBARC interfaith community. 

Our Needs

NBARC is currently looking to develop relationships with other organizations that provide services to people who are seeking asylum. 

We are currently seeking to assist recently arrived immigrant individuals or families who have housing in the Greater Boston area. If you know anyone housing a person or family who could use assistance, please email Jenny Berz and Fiona Epstein at nbarc@tbzbrookline.org. 

Meanwhile, there is much to do and other needs to address such as: 

• clothing

• access to food pantries

• community resources

• job training

• ESL tutoring

• friendly support for our current and future clients

We want to help as many people as possible.