Family Members are contacted by RIM staff and volunteers. They are offered referral and supportive services in their communities. Members of our Pastoral Care Givers will be visiting family members in the community in cooperation with the Parish Nurse Program at Eliot Presbyterian Church in Lowell. Youth Workshops included youth in the planning process and were designed to deter youth from getting into trouble in the first place and in stressing the importance of citizenship. Three workshops were held.
Additional ones are in the planning process.
A photo exhibit is planned which will be a tool for RIM in promoting awareness to immigrant issues. We have reached approximately 100 youth in this manner and we hope to reach an additional 100 youth over the course of the next year. We also hope, in the future, to offer other opportunities for youth to share cultural gifts such as traditional dance, arts and crafts, sports, and music. Finally, RIM is continuing to look into the possibility of a camping experience for children and youth of detained persons. This would ideally have a component of positive cultural sharing.