Community support for new Mainers: UNE Social Work student pens piece for Portland Press Herald

Alison Barker, a student in the University of New England School of Social Work, wants taxpayers to know that there are a wide range of private organizations working to support asylum seekers relocating to Maine.

Following a Press Herald report that addressed the growing number of asylum seekers coming to Portland, Barker offers some perspective.

“As a Portland resident, I recognize that Maine is facing major issues even without supporting newcomers,” she writes. “Food insecurity, the opioid epidemic, child welfare and homelessness all come readily to mind. These are complex, systemic challenges that require attention, ideas and resources. I also recognize that Maine’s wealth is not evenly distributed. I can easily understand why an impoverished taxpayer in Washington County would not want their tax dollars going to strangers ‘from away.’ This is why I would like to point out that many private organizations contribute to supporting new Mainers in the Portland area.”

Barker names several philanthropic, civic and faith-based organizations with individual programs to support asylum seekers and others in need, including the Salvation Army, Lions Club, Oakhurst, the National Association of Letter Carriers and the Williston-Immanuel United Church where Barker serves as the community liaison.

“We have not always done immigration well,” Barker says. “Nonetheless, a diversity of cultures has woven the web of this country and given it what strength, color and texture it has.

It would be wonderful in these divisive times if we Mainers could maintain the momentum to get it right this time and grant each individual the respect and dignity to which every person is entitled. This certainly starts with food and shelter.”

Read the full story in “Maine Voices.”

To learn more about the University of New England’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit www.une.edu/wchp

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions