HARC Executive Director

Recently, there has been an influx of refugee families in Washington County and no one to help them outside of the Refugee Welcome Network (RWN). We need funds, furnishings and food for all of them to stabilize them while we work with them toward self-sufficiency. 

Just in the last two weeks, the RWN settled two new families into housing with a third currently waiting for housing and help. At the same time, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) just became available to our Afghan families who are undocumented; this is a chance to become documented and an opportunity to receive work permits much faster than through the asylum process, as well as a path to citizenship!  However, TPS costs $1,190 per family x 3 families = $3,570.

The community has been incredibly generous in helping our refugee friends become settled and self-sufficient. Several families are nearly ready to “graduate” from this support network, so we know the system works and has been a blessing. Thanks to all who have been a part of that through your contributions of time, treasure and talents!  However, RWN funds are super low and we need your help to cover monthly rent payments and TPS applications, not to mention other urgent needs that arise for food, medical and more. We estimate needing at least $20,00o over the next 5 months just to bring the current families to self-sufficiency and obtain TPS for three families. If you can help with even a small gift, please donate via the HARC website and designate “refugees.”

We also need many furnishings to set up housing for our newest families.  Here’s what we currently need below. If you can help with anything, please contact Jane Powell at jane.powell365@gmail.com or 240-469-5084.  Keep in mind that the families are in small apartments with limited space and narrow staircases, so large pieces of furniture don’t work well.

Living Room

Sofa (not sectional)
Coffee table
TVs & tables for TV
curtains
area rug (carpet)
wall clock

Kitchen

kitchen table with 4 chairs (small to medium size, not dining table)
silverware
cookware
bake ware
mixing bowls
fruit bowl
kitchen towels
curtains
electric kettle
rug (carpet)

Bedroom

queen mattress & frame
bedding (blankets, sheets, pillows)
dresser (tall style, not long)
curtains
area rug (carpet) prefer 6 x 8 or bigger
mirror

Baby

high chair
changing table
toddler sippy cups
toys and books

Misc

trash cans
hangers
coat trees
bathroom rug
table with a chair to use for study/work and make-up
something to put shoes on
bread box
bath towels
Grocery gift cards or Visa gift cards

Saturday, June 10 was a beautiful day for the HARC Hike for Hunger & Hope at Shepherd’s Spring Camp & Retreat Center and the C&O Canal Towpath.  More than 145 people registered for this year’s event, with 15 opting for a “Virtual Hike” (hike on their own), and the majority enjoying a day of fun outdoors.  Proceeds from the main Hike on June 10 combined with the May 13 Challenge Hike exceeded $33,000 for HARC and the Micah’s Backpack program – thanks to many who sponsored the event or did fundraising to support it!  See our “Lovely Day” video with scenes from Hike day.

Special thanks go to our top sponsors:  MS Johnston and the God’s Grace Fund, JLG/Jerr-dan, First Christian Church, Meritus Health, and Columbia Gas of Maryland/NiSource (see Hike page for all our amazing sponsors).  Our top fundraising team for the June 10 hike was Hebron Mennonite Church, led by Marvin Horst, raising more than $2,500 in honor of Ed Poling, then another $2,000+ (TBD) via a 100 mile bicycle ride fundraiser by members Mary Dunn and Mike Martin.  Top individual fundraisers included Hike team member Ed Maloy with $1,006 and Elizabeth Paul with $630 raised.

We couldn’t do this event without our amazing volunteers!  Hike team:  Rev. Ed Poling, Deacon Sue Wert, Ed Maloy, Kelly Conrad, Beth Johnston, Butch Eigenbrode (Antietam Radio Association) and Kathleen Wood.  Radio Communications & More: Antietam Radio Association.  Hospitality Teams: Hebron Mennonite Church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, United Church of Christ, and the Baha’is of Washington County.  Vans & Drivers:  Christ’s Reformed Church (Tom VanMetre), St. John’s Episcopal Church (Rev. Todd & Joelene Young), Hagerstown Church of the Nazarene (Allen Yoder), Valley Grace Brethren, and Celebration Ministries (driven by Bob Rauth). And all volunteers who helped with check-in, lunch, shuttles to cars and more – we THANK YOU!

See more pictures on our HARC Hike Facebook page.

Kudos to 17 people who completed the HARC Challenge Hike on Saturday, May 13! It rained nearly all day, but everyone kept their spirits up and made it to the finish, enjoying camaraderie and the beauty of the Appalachian Trail. Thanks to everyone who participated for making this a great hike, and raising more than $9,000 for HARC and Micah’s Backpack!

Top individual fundraiser this year was Becky Fritz with $1,450!! Tammy Love came in just behind her with $1,210!  Walking on Sunshine was the top fundraising team with $1,065 raised for the cause by Trish O’Brien, Karen Ziska-Beckley and Ethan Roberts.  Thanks to everyone who did fundraising for this event!

Thanks also to our awesome support team! Jonathan Harris helped lead the hike, Sue Wert provided the fabulous food (with special desserts made by Elaine Rose), and Sue Wert and Kyle Powderly met everyone at stops along the way with food, drink and transportation.

HARC’s goal is to raise more than $30,000 total with this event and the June 10 hike. It’s not too late to sign up for the June 10 hike – a 4K, 10K or half marathon on the C&O Canal towpath.  Learn more at https://harccoalition.org/hike/.

See more pictures from the Challenge Hike on our HARC Hike Facebook page.

Visit the Challenge Hike Wall of Fame to see some pictures from past hikes.

The Refugee Welcome Network (RWN) is currently working with six Afghan refugee families, most of which are seeking asylum due to fear for their lives in their home country.  Most were professionals in Afghanistan – medical professionals, seamstresses, a journalist – and one was involved in security with the national army.  They all faced many hardships coming to the United States, and had almost nothing left when they arrived.  Most are now in legal limbo, unable to support themselves or their children until they reach a certain point in their asylum case.

God has brought many people in the faith community and various organizations together to form a network to help.  Thank you to so many of you who have already donated goods and services, giving of your time, treasure and expertise!  The families still have many needs, but some current highlights are:

• Volunteers to provide transportation – contact Susan Strobl, 301-730-9654
• 4 car seats – contact Pam Bradford, pfbradford@myactv.net
• Financial assistance for housing, electric, water – donate through HARC and designate for refugees, or ask about needs for specific families
• Grocery gift cards
• Jobs – nothing is too small!

For more information, contact HARC at director@harccoalition.org or 301-842-4272.

What is the Season for Non-violence?  How do we practice non-violence and peacemaking?  How do we get these practices into the wider community?  At HARC’s December 13 meeting, Rev. Sandy Boyer, Coordinator of HARC’s Interfaith Team addressed these questions and more, sharing practical resources and diving into a little discussion and practice around this very relevant topic.

The program was recorded; you can watch it on our YouTube channel.

The official Season for Nonviolence begins by marking the anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi on January 30 and ends on the April 4 anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Between are 64 days of practice of the principles of Gandhi, King, and others to bring about peace and nonviolence in our world today.  HARC encourages congregations and organizations to actively participate in this designated season.  Find resources on our website HERE.

The February 8 HARC meeting was a celebration of our Interfaith Coalition’s 20th anniversary.  In this special celebration, we learned about the history of the Interfaith Coalition through the perspectives of Rev. Ed Poling, member and leader for many years; Paula Myers, Baha’i, who also has participated for 20 years; and Dr. Shahab Siddiqui, Muslim, another 20-year original member and leader; as well as hearing input from founders Rev. Don Stevenson and Ron Bowers. Participants engaged in small group discussions about the role of interfaith work today and how to move the Interfaith Coalition into the future for continued impact on our community.  Groups reported out highlights to help us move our work forward.

HARC and the Interfaith Coalition are ONE, and as such we are weaving our work back into one effort.  As we re-envision our interfaith work for the future we invite you to be a part of the planning of what we will become and the programs we offer.  If you’re interested in contributing to this work in some way, please sign up here.

Read Ed’s words and see photos here.

Watch a recording of the celebration meeting:

Faith Community Opportunities with Bester Community of Hope
Help Children and Families to Grow and Thrive!

 Bester Community of Hope is seeking volunteers and congregational sponsors for the following:

• Volunteers for the “Walking School Bus” (currently in progress) – once/week on Wednesday from 8-9 am, from 3 locations to Bester Elementary. Volunteers can help every Wednesday or do a rotation.
• Houses of worship/groups to sponsor “Better Together Activity Boxes,” placing activities for families in the boxes (which are like Blessing Boxes, but with activities). Sponsors are needed for the 4^th and 5^th
• Houses of worship/groups to do acts of service that improve the well-being of the Bester/south Hagerstown community. Can include things like fixing Little Free Libraries, setting up a basketball court, neighborhood clean-up projects, planting trees, etc. Any community could benefit from these acts of service!

As an initiative of San Mar Family and Community Services, Bester Community of Hope embodies the mission of “Cultivating Hope and Well-Being in Children, Families and Communities” within the South End of Hagerstown, MD.

To help with any of the above initiatives or to learn more, contact Joan Balbuena Hernández at jbalbuena@besterhope.org or 240-513-6370.