CASAN Community News

February, 2026: CASAN’s asylum-seeking families arrive in Vermont after many months and often years of trauma, having fled warfare, gang violence, persecution

due to their identity or other factors. They have had to sever ties with family, their

communities, and flee to another country just in order to survive.

A few years back one such woman, Ms. G, arrived alone in Vermont with her young

child seeking asylum, a status she qualified for. Her husband had been killed by

gunfire. She had no idea what had happened to the rest of her relatives - were any

even still alive?

Imagine then that one afternoon recently while out shopping, she strikes up a

conversation with another woman who appears also to have come from the African

continent (and she had, arriving through the refugee process). As they chat, they

discover they are actually from neighboring countries - Ms. G’s mother had grown up

in the newcomer’s country but moved away when she married a man from the other

country. As they continue talking, they realize that Ms. G’s mother had come from the

same town that this newcomer was from, and they had family names in common. And

then to their amazement – they discovered that their mothers were sisters! They are

cousins! The cousin got in touch with her mom, Ms. G’s auntie overseas, who

sobbed with joy that her niece was alive and well.

Suddenly, instead of being all alone here in Vermont, far from kith and kin, Ms. G.

finds she has family after all – including right here.

CASAN rejoices with this young woman and her unexpected reunion with family!

December, 2025: We're thrilled to share some wonderful news! One of the single moms we assist passed her driving road test on her third try! Thanks to the support of two faithful Spanish-speaking CASAN volunteers, she was able to practice driving and have an interpreter during her tests, so that she made it over the finish line! She cried tears of joy. The next step is for her to receive a donated car that has been saved for her, so that she can access better jobs. Having transportation can open new doors for this family.

One of the women whose court hearing was supposed to have been this past September

learned that it was postponed to 2028. Fortunately, her child is here with her, as she continues to wait. She just completed the first year in her full-time job as a LNA at the hospital, and CASAN is helping her make plans as she seeks to continue her education toward an RN degree. Sadly, another mother has been waiting 9 years for a hearing with USCIS officers, separated from the three children she left behind in the care of their grandmother in their African country. She now lives in another state but some CASAN volunteers maintain a supportive presence through online chats. In the recent call, she expressed how she loves her work as a radiology technician – a career goal that we helped her achieve. With her better paying job she can now help her sons pursue their own education and career goals. She happily reported that one son is at a European university in the biomedical field. She is a proud mom, and we are so proud of her!

The kids are thriving! What a joy to see

• A healthy baby energetically crawling at the shelter where her family lives

• A 4-year-old twirling during her ballet lessons.

• A middle schooler ably serving as an usher at his church

• A new teenager bouncing exuberantly with friends at a facility, celebrating his birthday

It is helpful and important for asylum seekers to be accompanied by CASAN on their years-long journey towards asylum, and it can be a truly rewarding experience for us to walk with them. Thanks to everyone who supports CASAN and helps make good things happen!