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 by providing support and a welcoming community. We assist these guests and refugees new to our area by helping them navigate 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.

"What can I do to help?"

Donate

Donate via givelively.org
EIN: 85-0550813

Your gift will be used to provide support to asylum seekers in our local communities with: housewares, clothing, food, material needs, transportation, housing, and educational opportunities. Your help paying for these basic needs as well as legal counsel around immigration matters will sustain our asylum-seeking guests until they are able to support themselves.

Volunteer

Volunteer Contact Us

We need community volunteers to:

  • Help find housing for new guests
  • Join a guest team to help guide guests through the asylum claim process
  • Provide rides to appointments, shopping, etc
  • Donate clothing, household goods, financial support, vehicles
  • Provide social interaction and language support
  • Help with outreach and community support
  • Help us with fundraising
  • Support the organizational structure by joining a committee or the Board

October 14, 2024

2ndĀ Annual International Food Festival

The board and supporters of the Northeast Kingdom Asylum Seekers Assistance Network (NEKASAN) express our gratitude to everyone who participated in our joyous 2nd Annual International Food Festival on Saturday, October 12, at the Caledonia Food Co-op in St. Johnsbury! An estimated 200 diners enjoyed examples of cuisines from around the world,  lovingly prepared by […]

Read More… from 2ndĀ Annual International Food Festival

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:

  • Answers to many of your questions about working with asylum seekers
  • Advocacy information for contacting your elected state and federal officials
  • Our members' and partners' contact information
  • Ways to volunteer and support our work locally