One Sunday in late fall 2022, a Palestinian man named Darwish Darwish came to Plymouth’s door.  He had little money and was cold, hungry and without a place to stay, as CSU offices were closed for winter break. He had approached other nearby Faith Communities, but was turned away as none had the resources or capacity to be of help to him.
 
Plymouth’s response was different…. Emergency supplies, King Sooper’s gift cards, warm clothing and funding to gain access to a CSU apartment and begin initial English classes were provided. An informal team was assembled to support him during his initial months in Fort Collins. Since, his family has joined him, he has applied for asylum, and is awaiting Work Authorization.
 
“Team Darwish” - a sub-group of Plymouth’s Immigration Team - has been supporting the family in a variety of ways, including transportation, rent support, childcare during appointments, and applying for community resources available to them. Through Plymouth’s partnership with ISAAC, they have had excellent guidance and support, including access to an immigration attorney who is handling Darwish’s application for asylum, which is slowly making its way through the lengthy review process.   
 
Darwish and Aseel are both professionals, having trained and worked as engineers. They came to the U.S. with Student and Student Spouse Visas – but few other resources apart from their deep desire to live their lives free of violence and injustice. They long to raise their family in peace. They yearn to become contributing citizens of the U.S. They live in hope of becoming Americans! We are blessed to be part of making that possible.
 
Darwish, Aseel and their children have no family in this country. Their families in Palestine and Jordan are unable to help.  Their own funds were exhausted in getting here. They have, however, become beloved members of our extended Plymouth family. A dinner on July 11 will let Plymouth members and friends become better acquainted with the family and raise funds to help Plymouth continue such support. [To attend or donate in support of the dinner, visit our Immigration page]
 
Funds raised through our July Share The Plate donations will provide additional resources to help the family through these final months as we await Darwish’s Work Authorization and access to sustainable income.  Thank you!

Plymouth donated $532.00 to the Immigrant Support Fund via Share the Plate, as well as additional money from the dinner and other specifi donations.

Formerly Out Boulder County, Rocky Mountain Equality's mission is to work collaboratively to create connection and provide advocacy, education, research, cultural events, and responsive programs and services that ensure LGBTQ+ people, families, and communities thrive.

The newly launched Rocky Mountain Equality will aggressively defend freedom, dignity, and opportunity while providing life-saving services for LGBTQ people and communities across the state of Colorado.

“This is a natural evolution for us,” says Executive Director Mardi Moore, who took the helm in 2013. “The needs of the LGBTQ community don’t stop at the borders of Boulder County, so why should our work? Over the last decade, we have prided ourselves on meeting LGBTQ+ people and communities where they are, along the Front Range and beyond. Rocky Mountain Equality accurately shows the breadth and depth of our commitment.”
 
Learn more at their new website, rmequality.org.

Plymouth gave $1,155.12 to Rocky Mountain Equality.