A MESSAGE FROM SETH KAPER-DALE, CEO, RCHP-AHC

Dear Friends of RCHP-AHC, 

It has been an incredible second quarter of 2025!  After the devastation of federal cuts, and the doubts about our future, the second quarter has been a time of creativity, rebound, and deepening of our identity as a people committed to solidarity with all who are wronged by structural violence here and around the world.   

This quarterly newsletter tells a beautiful story of the diverse ways RCHP-AHC is living out its identity. I am going to refrain from a long letter, because the newsletter is the letter— a letter of love and justice and hope for a better world.  

Enjoy! 

Peace, Rev. Seth Kaper-Dale 

CEO, RCHP-AHC 

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FEATURE STORY

Q&A with Jefferson Dononcourt

Jefferson Dononcourt is an Employment Specialist for the I-RISE Trenton office.  He received his Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Engineering from the Université d'État d'Haïti and is currently enrolled in the Environment and Public Health program at Rutgers University, with a focus on sustainable development and environmental protection. 

What did you do prior to working at I-RISE – what's your background? 

I am the co-founder of an Agribusiness in Haiti.  I supported local farmers, addressing the issue of food insecurity, aligning with United Nations sustainability goals.  Prior to my arrival to the U.S., I did an internship at the Centre for International Studies & Cooperation, working on a soil fertility project.  Once in the States, I worked as an ESL coordinator, helping Haitians to adjust to life in the U.S.

How did you get your start at I-RISE? 

I was not planning to come to the U.S.  Things were going pretty well until the gang activity made it unsafe to stay in Haiti.  I arrived in December, 2023 under the Haitian Humanitarian Parole Program, so I was originally an I-RISE client.  I started my job with I-RISE in November, 2024.

How does your immigration journey inform and affect your interactions with your Haitian clients? 

Every day, clients reach out to me asking for advice about what’s currently happening with immigration.  Even though I’m in the same situation as they are........

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UPDATES & HAPPENINGS

The Upcycle Shop – Coming soon to Highland Park!

Our staff and volunteers have been hard at work getting our old I-RISE warehouse space ready to be transformed into a space for gently used clothes and household items for both our clients and the general public. Stay tuned for news on our Grand Opening this Summer! 



Tim (pictured) and his team have been working on the sales/reception desk. Volunteers from the I-RISE Recycled Woodshop will also be working on refurbishing furniture to be sold at the warehouse. 

If you’d like to volunteer at our new Upcycle shop, contact soledad@interfaithrise.org

Documenting the I-RISE Journey Post January 20th 

We have been so fortunate to have two filmmakers, Sam Friedman and Audrey Lane (and their team), who have dedicated their time to recording the many challenges faced by Pastor Seth and the I-RISE staff for the past few months.  We are so grateful for their dedication to telling the important story of how immigrants make this country great! 

Housing for Homeless and Low-Income Residents

With a new key in hand, this resident at one of our newly renovated properties in Freehold was so excited to be moving in, she kissed the front door! We are so happy for this mom and her whole family – the huge headache of housing affordability has been taken off their plate. 

Haitian Voices for Immigrants  

Our case managers, who already go above and beyond, are going above, going above and beyond, with this marathon fundraiser on behalf of our clients in central and south Jersey! Stay tuned for an upcoming Soccer Tournament Fundraiser in the Trenton area. If you are interested in joining a team of excellent players, please contact jefferson@interfaithrise.org and guerlens@interfaithrise.org  

IN THE NEWS

Saying “NO” to Afrikaners. 

The recent import of white Afrikaners from South Africa and the request from the federal government to resettlement agencies to aid in the “resettlement” of privileged people has been a cruel reminder that black and brown and other truly vulnerable populations have been turned away and deemed “dangerous criminals”. 

Pastor Seth says, “Interfaith-RISE did not start so that we could be an arm of political whims. We created the program to help facilitate resettlement potential for our caring community—a community that desired to help with the refugee crisis resulting from civil war in Syria, and then other wars and conflicts as well.” 

For more on the official response from I-RISE, check out this article in The Gothamist 

PROGRAM UPDATES & HIGHLIGHTS

Accompany Now! June Newsletter is now available for viewing! 

Check out the latest issue that includes: 

 *Employee of the Month 

*Summer fun for AN kids – how you can help 

*A (Bunk) Bedtime Story 

Never miss an issue of the Accompany Now newsletter by signing up here 

Global Grace Cafe is still open for business!

GG Cafe is blessed to have chefs from all over the world. Five days a week, the RCHP kitchen is buzzing with activity, as amazing aromas waft throughout the church, from our international cuisine. Lunch is served Monday-Friday from 11:30am - 1:30pm. Stop by and bring your co-workers, your friends, or your family! 

Summer Farm Shares 2025  

Global Grace Farms once again brings you our organic Summer farm share, beginning the 2nd week of July for 12 weeks. This year we will be growing Kale, Spinach, Okra, Bell peppers, Tomatoes, Eggplant, Zucchini, Cucumbers and many more vegetables. Shares range from $100 to $300. Click on this link to sign up via the GG Marketplace website. 

Looking for reasonably priced organic eggs? Our chickens have been hard at work (and boy, are we grateful!) Throughout the Summer, eggs will be available for $6/dozen. 

Interested in helping our crops thrive? Come out on Saturday mornings, starting at 9:30, to lend a hand and spend some time outdoors to enjoy Summer in all her splendor. GG Farms is located at 12 College Farm Road. 

For more info, contact Ashar, Director of GG Farm at GGFarms@interfaithrise.org   

Global Grace Health - The core team of Dr. Norma Bowe, Sarat, Andrea, Linda and Sayed, continues to do incredible work. Pastor Seth says, “I cannot say enough about how they get people into detox, engage with our refugee clients before they have Medicaid, assist with detainees, run food programs”, among many other things. 

Despite funding uncertainties, GG Health continues to serve vulnerable communities. This video features their work in and around Newark train station on a recent Spring day.   

Looking for that special gift for a favorite little one, family member, or friend? GG Marketplace has a wide variety of fabulous Fair-Trade and hand-made items. Visit in person at 208 Raritan Avenue or Shop online. GGM is currently featuring the book by Highland Park High School student, Maria Levina, “Hello Eesha”. Great for young readers or anyone who cares about refugees. All proceeds go to client support at Interfaith-RISE.   

Turning Lemons into LemonAIDE – The I-RISE Job Readiness Training Program 

As traditional services provided to RCHP-AHC/I-RISE clients diminish due to funding constraints, I-RISE Employment Services is excited to launch a new robust, sustainable, and client-centered Job Readiness Training Program. This initiative aims to equip vulnerable clients—especially recent immigrants, refugees, and underemployed adults—with hands-on training and soft skills to promote economic self-sufficiency and long-term employment. 

I-RISE is uniquely positioned to deliver this initiative, leveraging our in-house social enterprise "Ventures" (Woodshop, Farm, Health, Café, Marketplace, and more), and external community partners. This holistic workforce training includes real-world experience, individualized training plans, wraparound support, and job placement pipelines tailored to each client's needs, regardless of work authorization status. 

If you’d like to find out how you can volunteer for this new initiative, contact fida@interfaithrise.org  

I-RISE Recycled Woodshop -  The Woodshop Volunteers were recently joined by four juniors from Wardlaw - Hartridge High School - they enjoyed assembling two planters that we’ll sell to generate income for I-RISE. If you and/or your organization/group would like to volunteer at the woodshop, please contact tim@interfaithrise.org  

Shop online or visit in-person at 208 Raritan Avenue, in Highland Park.  

A message from our friends at Wardlaw-Hartridge High School 

Submitted by Nicole Nolan, Director of Global Programs and Community Outreach 

While it took us nearly the entire school year to plan, our recent trip to the IRISE Recycled Woodshop was transformative. This was the 4th time students from the Wardlaw+Hartridge School visited the I-RISE Woodshop in the past two years. Each time we have created something different, but the results for our students have been the same. Initially, students are tentative about using the power tools and stepping out of their comfort zones. However, the volunteers there empower their confidence and they quickly get the hang of taking precise measurements and using nail guns and sanders.  

Reflecting on our recent visit, Junior, Nijiany Genao shared, "I have visited and worked at the I-RISE Woodshop before, and I never fail to be amazed by the community that is brought together by it. Everyone at I-RISE has shown to be empathetic, reliable, hardworking, and are problem-solvers. I am so proud of the connections and long-term positive effects that everyone here has made!" We look forward to bringing future student groups to work in the woodshop next year! 

RCHP-AFFORDABLE HOUSING CORP

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

I-RISE World Refugee Day Annual Picnic 

We are so grateful for all the ways the annual World Refugee Picnic continues to be a joyful reminder of why we do the work we do, even through the most challenging of times! Thanks to all who put this event together and all who attended. 

Pictured, left to right are Jay and Jefferson, I-RISE Case Managers, along with Patrick Barry from the Office of New Americans. Patrick attends every event we have, and we are so appreciative of his support! 

We were happy to recognize US Pharma Lab of North Brunswick, along with other companies, who have been so amazing in hiring multitudes of our clients over the past few years. Thank you! 

If you missed our annual World Refugee Day picnic, here's a great highlight. Check out this short video of case manager, Valencia, singing her awesome rendition of “Redemption Song”! 

Federal budget cuts have severely affected our staffing and our agency's ability to fully function. However, our client needs have not diminished. 100% of donations from the public will go to Direct Client Assistance. Thank you!