Meeting the needs of asylum seekers and refugees within a supportive community in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont

Who we are:

NEKASAN helps asylum seekers get released from detention by providing sponsorship, hosting, support and a welcoming community. We assist these guests and refugees new to our area by helping to meet their legal, medical, educational, employment, material, transportation, housing and other needs.

Established in 2020, the Northeast Kingdom Asylum Seekers Assistance Network - NEKASAN - is dedicated to making our communities supportive places for refugees and asylum seekers. Volunteers have helped guests and families from various countries integrate into our local Vermont communities.

Events

NEKASAN International Food Festival

Thank you!

On behalf of the board of directors of the Northeast Kingdom Asylum Seekers Assistance Network (NEKASAN), THANK YOU to all of the individuals, small businesses, and fellow nonprofit organizations that gave their time, talents and treasure to ensure a very successful 3rd Annual International Food Festival!

Picture of NEKASAN Food Fest Picture of NEKASAN Food Fest

Sponsored by:
  • Catamount Arts logo
  • Primal Botanical logo
  • Frients of the Anthanaeum logo
  • Javier Bill's logo
  • Spoon Thawee logo
  • Essentially Massage logo
  • Green Mtn Books and Prints logo
  • Ysbrydoliaeth logo
  • Century 21 logo
  • Barrett Insurance Agency logo
  • Stonecrest Properties logo
  • Depot St Revivalist logo
  • Inspirations Studio logo

"What can I do to help?"

Donate

Donate via givelively.org
EIN: 85-0550813

Your gift will be used to provide support to refugees in our local communities, funding housing, housewares, clothing, material needs, transportation, and educational opportunities. Financial support and legal counsel will support our asylum-seeking guests until their final asylum hearings.

Volunteer

Volunteer Contact Us

We need sponsors, hosts, and committee members to:

  • Provide housing or a rental for new guests
  • Sponsor a guest as they move through the asylum claim process
  • Provide rides to appointments, shopping, etc
  • Provide social and language support
  • Help us with fundraising
  • Donate clothing, household goods, financial support, vehicles
  • Support the organizational structure by joining a committee
  • Help with outreach and community support

September 26, 2025

Reblog: Seven Days: Asylum Seeker Living in NEK Released After Months in Prison

Read more @ Seven Days
September 25, 2025

Reblog: Seven Days: Northeast Kingdom Women Fight to Free a Detained Asylum Seeker

Read more @ Seven Days

NEKASAN is a founding member of the Vermont-New Hampshire Asylum Support Network (VTNHASN). This network is comprised of 9 community-based asylum support groups in Vt & NH who work together to foster collaboration, share best practices, build capacity, raise public awareness of the issues involved in seeking asylum , and advocate for policies and funding that support our collective work and the asylum seekers with whom we work.

Check out the network website at https://vtasylumsupport.org/ and find:

  • The resources page to answer many of your questions about working with asylum seekers
  • The advocacy page to help you find contact information for your elected state and federal officials
  • Our members and partners contact information
  • Ways to volunteer and support our work locally

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