November General Meeting

About 17 percent of those who have already arrived are US citizens and lawful permanent residents and can head directly to their destination. The other 80% of the refugees will go to US military bases. Evacuees are expected to remain on the bases for at least two weeks, as they get set up with their medical checks, including Covid-19 vaccinations, work permits, and other services, before they’re relocated to communities around the country.

Refugees and special immigrant visa holders — a visa for Afghans who were employed by or worked on behalf of the US government — have access to a range of short and long-term services to get up on their feet, from help with housing and employment to cash and medical assistance. Under the so-called Afghan Placement and Assistance Program set up by the State Department, the federal government will provide a one-time payment of $2,275 for each Afghan an agency serves, of which $1,225 is available for agencies to use for direct assistance like housing and basic necessities. Agencies also help with tasks, such as enrolling children in school and orienting individuals with new communities.

Refugee resettlement agencies are preparing to support Afghans once they’re ready to depart military bases.

We are thrilled to have speaker Carly Boos, Community Relations Director for the International Rescue Committee Los Angeles, tell us about how refugee resettlement works

Also Dr. Yama Abassi, Chairman, Humanitarian Committee at International Orphan Care, representing the Afghan Refugee Relief organization based in Orange County;

And Sana Accad, a former volunteer with Home for Refugees, who will share her experience working with immigrants being settled in the foothills.

If you have questions you’d like to ask the panelists, please submit them ahead of the meeting to info@ccdemclub.org

The last time the US resettled anywhere close to this number of evacuees within such a short period was after the US troop withdrawal from Vietnam, when more than 130,000 people came to the US over an eight-month period. Time permitting, at the close of the meeting we’d like to play an inspiring 8-minute PBS News Hour video on “How the Vietnamese Community is helping Afghan Refugees” (aired on 10/02/21).

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All members in good standing will vote on this Officer slate for 2022:

President—Susan Mastrodemos
Acting VP—Suzanne Goldberg
Controller—Robert “Bud” Slotky
Secretary—Carolyn Young
Board Secretary—Heidi Aspaturian

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We will also vote to approve the Club’s newly established Grievance Policy, in compliance with new LACDP requirements.

Please read the Policy HERE ahead of time!!
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Prior to the annual state convention, each region of the California Democratic Party holds a “Pre-Endorsement Conference.” This is the first opportunity for a candidate to secure the party endorsement.

The LACDP has announced Los Angeles Democrats will consider an early endorsement for the following races (which are non-partisan):

Los Angeles County Assessor
Los Angeles County Sheriff

We hope we’ll know by the meeting date how many delegates we are allowed and when and where the conference is. A great chance for you to play a part in Democratic politics!
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The 2020 Census shows that California has had a net population LOSS. We will lose one Congressional seat and thus all the remaining boundaries will shift. A map “visualization” that we’ve seen, for example, proposes that Adam Schiff’s current district move to the west and those living in La Cañada may instead transition into a Pasadena and points-east district.
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Our inaugural Ascencia Guest Chef event will be lunch on Nov. 24, the day before Thanksgiving. Dona Mitoma and Heidi Aspaturian, with their college-age children, will prepare and deliver a nice lunch for 45 people at Ascencia’s Glendale homeless shelter. They believe they can manage it all, but would appreciate donations to cover the food costs. There is an easy link: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/guestchef

Dona and Heidi will propose future Guest Chef events for Ascencia with your help.

Thank you, Guest Chefs!
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Suzanne Goldberg was nominated and will be honored as Volunteer of the Year from our CCDC at the Truman Awards of DPSFV (Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley) all-virtual event at 11 am on Dec. 5. Congratulations, Suzanne!

If you wish to attend the Zoom call, individual tickets are $40 each.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/trumanawards21
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Sandra Chen Lau is kicking off her re-election campaign for the Governing Board of Pasadena Community College. Voters in La Cañada, West Central Pasadena (including Linda Vista and San Rafael), and NW Altadena first elected Sandra in 2018. She is well-regarded by faculty and students and so far, has no opposition for the June primary election. Let’s scare off any opposition by contributing to her war chest!

Donations can be made to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/scl2022

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Can you tell it’s that season to be merry?
But still we are very COVID-wary
Let’s delay the hugs and snacks
And work together on generous acts
A Holiday Toy Drive will help children carry on
And we’ll have a Refugee Wish List for gifts humanitarian!

We’ll keep you posted and in our sights
So, see, the season for Democrats will still be bright!