By Roxana Cardiel De Niz / NAIC Interim Organizer
In October, Full Circle Trade & Thrift’s proceeds will help support Flagstaff’s immigrant families.
Northern Arizona Interfaith Council is part of a coalition of nonprofit organizations (Beacon Unitarian Universalist Congregation, the Northern Arizona Dream Fund, Dreamers in Action and the NAU Immigration Action Research Team) that are joining forces to assist young undocumented immigrants in our community to create a productive future for themselves and, in turn, for our society.
Many of these young men and women had little choice about the challenging circumstances in which they now find themselves. They came to the United States as infants and children, brought by their parents seeking a better life. Today many have few memories of their birth country and are eager for post-secondary education and meaningful jobs.
We understand that immigration is a complex problem and there are no easy solutions. But we believe that children raised here deserve an opportunity to succeed and to participate in the life of our community.
With Full Circle’s October proceeds, we intend to:
- Help young immigrants apply for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status, which will allow them to work and/or participate in post-secondary education;
- Help local high school counselors provide immigrant youth and their parents with information about applying to college;
- Train community volunteers to conduct clinics for immigrants applying for legal status;
- Support GED classes for Spanish-speaking parents at Killip Elementary School.
We greatly appreciate Barbara and Bill Packard’s (the owners) tireless efforts toward helping make Flagstaff a better place to live, learn and work for more of our residents. What a better way to show our appreciation than to shop there?
Please make sure to make your way to this thrift shop this month and every month thereafter.
— Roxana Cardiel De Niz is the interim organizer for Northern Arizona Interfaith Council.
— Full Circle Trade & Thrift is at 2 S. Beaver St., Flagstaff. For more information about Full Circle Trade & Thrift, call 928-214-1094 or send an email to fullcircletrade@gmail.com. Full Circle has announced that the grant cycle for 2015 is now open, with applications accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31. All Flagstaff-based nonprofits are eligible to apply and the application is available at this website: www.fullcircletrade.net