Dear St. John’s Circle and Extended and Extending Circle of Care:
Congratulations to one and all for a moving day that was smooth sailing and a joyous event thanks to many…..those who donated things, donated to the fund that paid for other things, stored things, baby sat, bought things, thought of things, kept track of things, made lists of things, gathered things together, planned things, baby sat, carried things (from 47 Vernon Street), ran out for things, delivered things to 491 Bridge Rd., Apt 2923 Meadowbrook Apartments, Florence, Ma. 01062, Albert’s and Maombi’s and Wilson’s new address, set up things. And thanks to those others who worked back at 47 Vernon Street to make it look clean and presentable for the Cindy and Alison to re-occupy (which they have now done. Thanks to all members of the Circle and Extended Circle. Thanks to Mike Mansfield and his crew of Volunteers from Welcome Home Northampton for being the hub of the event, beginning with their purchase and pick-up of a brand new queen bed and box spring from Yankee Mattress. Thanks to the College Church for making the space available at the church for the storage of furniture, all manner of households items and clothing. Thanks to College Church and volunteers who facilitated use of the church “storehouse.” Thanks to all who have donated to that storehouse.
Thanks above all to Albert, Maombi and Wilson for their graceful and grateful bearing and hopeful and faithful outlook from which they have fed us and continue to feed us — literally, figuratively, spiritually –with more than anyone merits. (At least that’s how I feel.) What to do with their generosity, but learn from it.
Just a few thoughts administrative:
The Move: It seems like most everything the family need by way of furniture and household implements and supplies is in place, but there are no doubt gaps, so feel free to fill the gaps through contribution (or, if the price is significant, know that we have a St. John’s fund that can pay for otherwise unaffordable necessities.) Not sure there is enough lighting although the occupants might say they have enough.
Directions to Building 29, Apt. 23 at Meadowbrook. You can enter Meadowbrook either off Bridge Road not far from the farm stand or from Route 9 (Locust?), turning right onto Straw Avenue before you get to Florence Village, then entering at the second right just over the bike path. Their building is the first on the right as you enter from Straw Avenue. Only tricky thing, the actual entrance to the building from there looks “around back.” That’s where the buzzer is. Our translator and Ph D candidate Josh Castillo says with some authority that Albert and Maombi love drop-ins. My advice about visiting with or without an agenda: go if you feel prompted, and hopefully some will be.
New beginning and beginning of budgeting: With their new address Moambi and Albert are now living on a budget, and a very tight one. They will be paying $130 in rent which is 30 percent of their $430 monthly cash benefit. They will pay the electric bill on top of that.(Think air conditioner, bottled water, lights on.) Their food stamp benefit is roughly about the same amount. They get some free food through WIC and through Survival Center and for now, through David Peter’ farm share, maybe from Albert’s garden eventually. They may get a little more cash eventually targeted to transportation. That’s it. I would hope a volunteer could take the lead setting up with marker and paper and talking over with Albert and Maombi an elementary budget. And then keep on it. I personally am going to look for my old copy of Poor Richards’ Almanac.
Employment: Hopefully the budget will soon be made even more complicated by virtue of earned income. Albert has a bead on a job doing prep and/or dishwashing at a new restaurant that has a connection to leaders in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. As of this moment, it looks he may have a start date possibly starting part-time on Aug. 6. A connection has been made between Maombi and Rebecca Bleecher, an art therapist who is starting an “eco friendly, socially conscious” company to make a range of products from second hand materials and is eager to employ skilled refugees. Maombi has started to work on a “prototype” bottle carrier made from denim. Turns out Rebecca’s partner David LeTourneau, who has a small landscaping and handyman business, had a full day’s work for Albert yesterday (July 9) helping to install a new lawn. Albert proved adept at the rototiller and came away with his first earned American cash. Next up: trip to the bank.
Transportation: To get to work Albert will have to take a bus with a transfer. Good news, the Red 44 and maybe another number bus stops at Meadowbrook on a regular schedule. I have been meaning to go on a bus field trip with one or both of them…especially Albert. Anyone so moved who can carve out some time should see if you can get to Hadley where the old Bison Farm used to be and back by bus. I think we – not he—should pay the fares while he is learning. Tell me if you agree, but my plan was to go to the PVTA office in Holyoke and see about purchasing a monthly ride-anywhere card.
It is a beautiful piece of luck, I think, that Albert and Maombi live right at the bike path.
They can walk to market, Survival Center, community garden, Pedal People compound, and, I ‘m guessing, will love to…even there, a little coaching wouldn’t hurt. Thoughts about a tricycle for the family?
Potluck: We are hoping from now on to have a monthly potluck with the family open to any and all who wish to join in. The first one was Sunday night at the home of Cathy Wanat and David Reckhow. It was a small, very sweet gathering and good sampling of the diversity of our group. In addition to Maombi, Albert and Wilson, guests included the landlords who offered our family their home on Vernon Street rent free for two months – Alison Smith and Cindy Tolan— and Amee Salmon, a Congolese friend, Swahili speaker, English tutor, star graduate and now board member of the International Language Institute. Thanks so much to the Reckhow and Wanat household – great hosts.
Judson