Our Syrian Family

Update on Our Syrian Refugee Family (July 16, 2017) The Almustafa family, while grieving, are doing their best to move forward. The STM Syrian Family Fund has been able to pay for a private tutor who is working with the father, Husam, 2-3 days per week, and his English is improving. There is an accounting firm that has agreed to hire him as soon as he can be proficient in his English, which we are hoping is two months away. The two older daughters are attending their first year of college, working on their English as well as general studies. The mother, Douha, has had the most difficult time coping with the loss of their son. She feels she will be ready soon to shop with some of our women from the quilting group and resume her sewing. The STM fund continues to provide $500 per month in support for food, gas for their van, toiletries, etc. We also pay for their cable and internet each month and are currently looking into paying off their travel loan. This month, they do not have any new requests. They are overwhelmed with everyone’s generosity! We wish we could thank each one of you individually for all that you have done and continue to do for this wonderful family.  Click HERE to read a transcript of Patrick and Lisa Attardo's remarks at a Catholic Charities event recenlty. For more information visit www.stmoside.org/OurSyrianFamily or contact: Lisa Attardo at lisaattardo@yahoo.com or 760-884-7863; Patrick Attardo at 760-844-7862 or Sr. Maureen at 760-758-4100 x131 or maureenb@stmoside.org.

Thank you for your wonderful response to our Syrian family that we are sponsoring through Catholic Charities! Click HERE for more background.

Because of your generosity, we have been able to fulfill their immediate needs for furniture and appliances! We received so many donations that we were able to provide furniture and appliances for four other refugee families under the care of Catholic Charities.

If you would still like to donate furniture and appliance items for other refugee families, please submit forms to the offertory collection, the Parish Office, or via email or mail. We are pleased that Brother Benno’s wants to partner with us in helping deliver these items to the refugee families.

Remember that our suggested list includes many other ways you can be of help to this family besides monetary donations.

Please do not drop any items off at the Parish Office. As the forms are submitted, you will be contacted about the next drop-off date to STM.  

This family still has many ongoing practical needs and expenses. Please check the options below for details. We will update you periodically on how your monetary donations have been used. (Most refugee families become self-sufficient after about eight months.)

Thanks again!

Our Syrian Family's Journey

Part 1

Part 2

Update April 16, 2017

Update April 23, 2017

Visit to STM May 7, 2017

Photos from May 7 Visit

For more information, contact :Lisa Attardo or Sr. Maureen Brown, CSJ.

Suggestions for Specific Activities and Monetary Donations for Our Syrian Family

Suggestions for Basic Item Donations for Refugee Families (from Catholic Charities)

Suggestions for Extended Item Donations for Refugee Famlies (from Catholic Charities)