Community Care
From the April 21, 2025 DoGood Virginia Email Newsletter:
In The Serviceberry, Robin Wall Kimmerer illustrates how the natural world thrives on reciprocity. The serviceberry tree offers its fruit freely, fostering a network of mutual support among birds, animals, and humans. This gift economy reminds us that generosity and interconnectedness are foundational to a flourishing community.
Our recent DoGood Virginia gatherings embody this ethos. Last Monday we united to address pressing issues: combating food insecurity and supporting our immigrant neighbors on their journey to safety and citizenship. By pooling our resources, time, and compassion, we are cultivating a community where all can flourish.
Key Takeaways from Our Meeting:
- Immigration Challenges: Beth Macy reported on heard heart-wrenching accounts of individuals being deported despite compliance with legal processes, leaving families torn apart. The expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians and Venezuelans looms, threatening the safety of many. Work permit renewals are delayed, and fear permeates our immigrant communities.
- Community Efforts:
- Joy Sylvester-Johnson: Since 2017, Joy has been a steadfast advocate for refugees and asylum seekers in Roanoke. Her unnamed refugee support network, kept confidential for safety reasons, currently supports 21 families, providing essential services such as rent assistance, medicine, and work permit renewals. Operating without paid staff, they rely entirely on donations to cover monthly expenses ranging from $4,000 to $6,000. Joy also facilitates transportation to ICE appointments in Northern Virginia.
- Needs: Financial contributions for rent and medical expenses; volunteers for transportation.
- Contact: Joy Sylvester-Johnson at 540-293-4055 or joysylvesterjohnson@gmail.com. (Joy is out of town, expect a response at the end of the month).
- Roanoke Refugee Partnership (RRP): RRP is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to assisting refugee families in the Roanoke area. They provide support in housing, transportation, education, and employment to help refugees achieve self-sufficiency.
- Needs: Volunteers for tutoring, mentorship, and transportation; financial donations for emergency assistance.
- Contact: Visit Roanoke Refugee Partnership or emailinfo@
roanokerefugeepartnership.org.
- Blue Ridge Literacy (BRL): BRL offers English language instruction and literacy services to adults in Western Virginia, including immigrants and refugees. They provide ESOL classes, tutoring, and citizenship preparation.
- Needs: Volunteer tutors; donations to support program expansion and resource materials.
- Contact: Visit Blue Ridge Literacy or email info@brlit.org.
- Libba Wolfe introduced the idea of turning Monday protests into food drives, addressing the alarming rates of food insecurity among Roanoke’s children. Last week rally goers brought more than a truck load of food. 1 in 4 of our Roanoke neighbors are food insecure. Be sure to bring food items to the rally every week.
- Joy Sylvester-Johnson: Since 2017, Joy has been a steadfast advocate for refugees and asylum seekers in Roanoke. Her unnamed refugee support network, kept confidential for safety reasons, currently supports 21 families, providing essential services such as rent assistance, medicine, and work permit renewals. Operating without paid staff, they rely entirely on donations to cover monthly expenses ranging from $4,000 to $6,000. Joy also facilitates transportation to ICE appointments in Northern Virginia.
- Advocacy and Action: Delegate Sam Rasoul emphasized the importance of transitioning from mobilization to sustained organizing, urging us to engage in consistent advocacy, protest, and electoral participation.
Let’s continue to embrace this ethos of giving and mutual care. Whether it’s volunteering, donating, or simply extending kindness, every action contributes to a resilient and inclusive Roanoke Valley.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to doing good.
In solidarity,
Dina