B1C and Local Schools Brought Thanksgiving to Immigrant Neighbors

Building One Community (B1C) – the Center for Immigrant Opportunity brought the Thanksgiving table to over 80 local immigrant families through care baskets prepared by Greenwich Country Day School (GCDS) and King School.

Bringing together youth, educators, and volunteers to serve a population in critical need, this annual drive resembles the ideals of Thanksgiving. As B1C continues to advance the successful integration of immigrants and their families, the holidays serve as a meaningful connection point to introduce new arrivals to a traditional American custom.

The baskets comprised bread rolls, turkey stock, potatoes, a tissue box dressed up as a turkey, canned vegetables, pie, and a $25 Shop Rite gift card wrapped in handmade letters to each family for their choice of meat.

“These families are our neighbors – we are all neighbors,” said Karen Raidt, King School Director of King Cares Service and Student Services. “We are all one community.”

GCDS taught their fifth graders the need to help our foreign-born neighbors through reading Katherine Applegate’s “Home of the Brave,” a story about a refugee minor from Sudan navigating a new life in the U.S. without any family. The students include hand-made cards in the baskets to let the recipient know they are not alone, no matter how far from home.

When asked why it would be hard for someone to celebrate the holidays in a new country, hands shoot up left and right.

“’They don’t speak the language...unfamiliar foods...they don’t have family here...,’” said Jen Donnalley, GCDS Director of Public Good. “They just get it. They know why they are doing it."

One of the recipients is the niece, Julienne, of a long-time B1C participant from Haiti. This is Julienne’s first time in the U.S., and of course, her first Thanksgiving. Her uncle proudly shares he already has her meeting with B1C’s staff to enroll in English classes and receive case management services.

The notion of giving back runs deep in B1C’s culture. So many staff, volunteers, and supporters are immigrants themselves. Current participants bring along new arrivals in need. Former participants become volunteers or even staff.

Daniel, a sophomore at GCDS, translates for the check-in process. He was once a B1C participant, too.

This first-hand experience of serving B1C’s families opens these students' worlds and teaches them what is truly needed to make a real community. This special annual event warms the hearts of everyone involved – and it’s not just the hot chocolate station.

“Connecting [with our immigrant community] goes far beyond anything you can learn in the classroom,” said beaming King junior Katie Ruhe. “There’s nothing like it.”

B1C is grateful to GCDS and King School for their generosity and care for the immigrant community. To support more initiatives like this, visit B1C’s Annual Appeal page, where any size donation can transform lives.