By Kelsey Mevs, Class of ‘26 – Staff Writer
Voices speaking a myriad of different languages – English, Spanish, Creole – blended together over a hearty meal. People gathered from across the globe, seated together and laughing like old friends. The dinner, provided by the Sharon Community Support Circle, had a single goal: to introduce the town’s newest immigrants to the team that would be helping them settle in. Lisa Eloi, a volunteer on the team, remembers the night fondly: “My one goal was to make sure that they understood. . . . This is the time to rely on one another, to help one another.”
The asylum seekers, who have been living in a temporary shelter in Sharon, have formed a small community, drawn together by their shared journey through the immigration process. The lengthy process includes uncertain stays at many temporary shelters as families wait to gain enough stability to find jobs and affordable housing. According to Mrs. Eloi, there are refugees being placed from “Great Barrington all the way to Cape Cod,” and it still isn’t enough.
It is through kind volunteers like Mrs. Eloi that the refugees are able to flourish in Sharon. On top of long workdays and taking care of families, these unseen heroes work day and night running clothing and food drives, providing childcare, and writing to government officials to change laws. Mrs. Eloi sighs as she says, “It’s rewarding. And it’s sad.” As a volunteer, she sees firsthand the struggles and triumphs of the asylum seekers.
“A lot of people had to go through a lot to get here – things that most of us I hope will never see in our lifetime,” said Dr. Meg Dussault, assistant superintendent of Equity and Engagement at the Sharon Public Schools. She’s been working with Sharon’s newest residents since they arrived in the fall of 2023.
Massachusetts is a right-to-shelter state, meaning the state has an obligation to provide housing and emergency services to all families in need. With hostile atmospheres throughout the world, the state is overfilled with needy families. Even with overflow shelters in Cambridge, Roxbury, and the Boston Seaport, there are at least 70 families waiting to be placed. Boston Logan International Airport is currently being used as a temporary shelter of its own, providing a “safe haven” for immigrant families who remain unplaced.
The state also provides food stamps and transportation to medical aid, but other necessities can fall through the cracks.
In Sharon, many refugees report that the food they are being served is unsatisfactory. The portions are typically too small even for the average kid, much less the average adult. The meals do not meet the requirements for a hearty meal, and they do not fill up the stomachs of those eating.
Additionally, there are few methods of transportation for the refugee population of Sharon. There is no public transportation and few sidewalks, so people must rely on volunteers who offer to drive them around.
“I call this transportation island. There’s no way to get on or off the island,” Dr. Dussault, said about the issue.
This problem also prevents many from getting jobs, a necessity for qualifying for affordable housing.
Jobs are another touchy subject for many asylum seekers. Although Sharon offers ESL classes, they are once a week for adults, and it can be difficult to find opportunities to practice elsewhere. Since most jobs require at least a small amount of English, it can take a long time for people to get hired.
This language barrier rears its head in all facets of life. Mrs. Eloi notes that the barrier makes many feel stifled, being unable to express themselves fully in their new country. She notes, “You can use Google Translate, but then the context is missing. The cultural aspect is missing.”
To help, the Community Support Circle fills in the gaps. In a recent interview, Mrs. Eloi revealed that the circle has new projects being rolled out constantly. One such project is bringing the refugees to a job fair. She hopes that through this fair, immigrants will be able to be hired on the spot. She also talks about their recent partnership with the YMCA, where people are able to let out steam outside of the walls of the temporary shelter.
Many Sharon community members are constantly interacting with asylum seekers going through such conditions. Mrs. Eloi gives advice to Sharonites, directing them to greet the refugees kindly and to never look down on anyone for their status in life. “Take time to listen,” she says. “Patience is always necessary.” It all boils down to the golden rule: treat others the way you’d like to be treated.
With the many struggles associated with migration, Sharon is working wonders. Despite obstacles with communication and manpower, the Sharon community is working hard to ensure the success of the refugees, and it shows. Successful clothing drives have made it so that all people have clothes to wear. Some have even been able to make it from living in temporary shelters in town to affordable housing elsewhere. By staying diligent, the town can make sure all feel welcome, regardless of their background.
“We’ve been told Sharon has set the gold standard in how to care for families,” Dr. Dussault said.
Cover image: Mrs. Eloi and Dr. Dussault.
