142 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148 Ph:781-322-1011 Fax: 781-322-1013 rimboston.rim@verizon.net
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142 Pleasant Street, Malden, MA 02148 Ph:781-322-1011 Fax: 781-322-1013 rimboston.rim@verizon.net |
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RIM's Mission Statement "Building
Community With Uprooted People to RIM's History In 1986, The Rev. Constance Hammond developed a Chaplaincy program for the INS Service and Processing Center, which was located on the historic North End of Boston. In response to the needs of those who were released, the Refugee Immigration Ministry (RIM) began to sponsor asylum seekers. RIM was incorporated as a 501(C)3 non-profit organization in 1995 under the leadership of Angelica Harter. In 1998, the North End Facility was closed and detainees and asylum seekers were scattered throughout New England in local county prison facilities. RIM responded with two major programs: Spiritual Care Givers and the Community Outreach Program. The programs allow RIM to continue the Spiritual Care of Detainees and Asylum seekers and serve those who are paroled to seek asylum through an interfaith network of congregations. In 2004, RIM became a refugee resettlement site for Episcopal Migration Ministries and contracted with the Massachusetts office for Refugees and Immigrants to offer Case Management Services to asylees. RIM also became certified by Homeland Security to offer reduced-fee legal services. In 2005, RIM opened a computer lab which is part of Community Computer Centers for Tomorrow. Historic Boston more than most American cities, radiates the pride of it's immigrant founders, the commitment to democracy, separation of church and state, freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the right of representative governance. Many of RIM's clients have fled their homeland to escape violence, degradation and terror because they have embraced the same values that were set forth by those who founded this great city. RIM's Staff The Rev. Dr. Ruth
Bersin, D. Min. Dr. Bersin is an Episcopal priest and has worked with refugees
since 1976 when she began a program in California. She directed a
program in Connecticut for the Diocese of Connecticut from 1982-1989.
Her Doctor of Ministry Thesis is "Spiritual Resources in Recovery
from Trauma." A clinical member of American Pastoral Counselors
(PCT), she is also on the staff of the New England Pastoral Institute
and is accredited by the Episcopal Hospitals and Chaplains
Association.She is a certified member of the National Society of Fund
Raising Executives (CFRE).From 1989-1992, she was the Executive Director
of Tokyo English Life Line, a social service agency which offers
services to the foreign community in Japan. She has had over
thirty years of experience in the field of social service, counseling
and trauma. She became the Executive Director of RIM in Christine Karangwa Ms. Karangwa, originally from Rwanda, is serving as a Case Manager. She has been a teacher, has worked in a refugee camp and holds a B.S. in Education and a Master of Divinity with an emphasis on Pastoral Counseling. She will also be working with ethnic organizations to build our youth program. Jennifer Guterman Ms. Guterman grew up in western New York. She has degrees from Fordham University and Boston College. She is also a former Jesuit Volunteer.
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Our work is community building. RIM works in an interfaith/ecumenical setting in a manner which avoids proselytizing and encourages each person in the practice of his own faith. RIM's programs foster a durable self-sufficiency. RIM offers support and ongoing training so the experience is enriching and skill-building for all participants. RIM bridges work for ethnic organizations. RIM affirms multi-cultural sharing in communities. RIM considers spirituality to be important in the healing process.
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RIM Board of Directors Johanna
E. L. Barrett
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| "Building Community With Uprooted People To Serve The Common Good" |
