By Beth David, Editor
The state has rented 15 rooms at the Seaport Inn on Middle Street to house “unsheltered families.” According to Fairhaven officials, the town was notified late last week by the governor’s office, that the state has contracted to shelter people in Fairhaven, a practice that has been happening around Massachusetts.
Town Administrator Angie Lopes Ellison confirmed that the people are migrants, but she said the state would not specify which countries they are from or how many there are, or the makeup of the families.
Massachusetts has been receiving people from border states, and has been housing them in hotels in different communities.
In a letter to families, the Fairhaven school district confirmed that they were notified that they may have to accommodate new students.
“The Fairhaven Public School District is working collaboratively with state agencies and local departments to ensure a smooth transition for any newcomer students who will be enrolled in our schools,” wrote Superintendent Tara Kohler and Assistant Superintendent Mark Balestracci. “As you know, the Fairhaven School District welcomes ALL students and works to support each child. As always, we are committed to supporting our students and families in need.”
The letter also states that people can drop off donations for the families at the Fairhaven Public Schools Family Center, located at Elizabeth Hastings Middle School, Monday–Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donations may include backpacks, notebooks, writing utensils, other schools supplies, and personal care items.
Ms. Ellison said the contract with the state starts on October 7, but that does not mean the families will arrive then, or that they will even arrive all at once.
The people are displaced, she said, from southern states and, as such, are “unsheltered.”
“They are here legally looking for refuge,” said Ms. Ellison.
She cautioned against the term “illegal aliens.”
“They are displaced people awaiting their status,” she said. “Illegal aliens would not be from this earth and would not be participating in the process. They have gained legal status because they were displaced by the southern states.”
Ms. Ellison said the town will work to make sure that the families have the resources they need when they get here, such as translators and access to services.
“I want to make sure we have the resources in place,” said Ms. Ellison, so they are not left “just high and dry and abandoned.”
Town officials met with local organizations, including churches, on Tuesday to make arrangements on how to assist the families when they get here.
Fairhaven Human Resources Director Cameron Durant said all churches in town where contacted, Catholic Social Services, PACE, and other groups.
He said residents are encouraged to take any items for the families to the Fairhaven Fire Department on Washington Street from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday–Friday. The items will then be moved to the EMS building on Sconticut Neck Road to be sorted and distributed.
Suggested items include feminine products, toiletries, food that does not have to be cooked. The families will have a refrigerator and a microwave, but will not have access to full kitchens.
People may also make monetary donations, with checks made out to the Town of Fairhaven, and “unsheltered families” in the subject line.
Other items include: car seats in good condition, clothing (but they do not know sizes yet), Uber gift cards, toys, coloring books/ crayons.
The National Guard will sort items, and will also help with other logistics.
Mr. Durant said different churches will rotate helping the families with different needs; Walmart and Stop & Shop have agreed to donate gift cards.
“I think it’s been a team effort,” said Mr. Durant.
He also said he toured one of the rooms, which was a regular room with two double beds. He said he believed most of the rooms reserved by the state have a four-person maximum occupancy.
The town and the inn are prepared to receive some families on Saturday, said Mr. Durant, but he did not know if all of them would arrive at the same time.
In a phone interview, Fairhaven School Superintendent Tara Kohler said that the school department is estimating 10 to 15 new students, based on information from the state, and estimates from other districts that have had similar situations. She said they will also prepare for an increase in the future.
Ms. Kohler said she understood why people have a lot of questions and are afraid of the impact the influx will have on their own children.
She said the new students will be treated the same as any other student who is homeless and does not speak English.
“If the state says they belong here, we will educate them,” said Ms. Kohler.
She said they have also been “constantly going over the costs associated with this.”
The district may have to pay for translators, additional counselors, and other professionals to help the children.
Ms. Kohler said she has spoken to other districts who have had to accommodate migrants.
“I’m hearing they are coming in pretty traumatized,” she said. “We have kids on our doorstep and we have to have a good way to service them.”
She said it is understandable that parents are afraid their own children will lose out because of the influx. Keeping families informed will help them understand and not be worried, she said, so the district will update its website regularly and send notices.
She said the state has promised to provide some funds per student to help with additional costs, and the Department of Education has been “great” communicating with the district.
“My job is to protect the taxpayers’ money and make sure our kids are educated,” said Ms. Kohler.
She said donations to the family center should be new school supplies, such as backpacks, notebooks, folders, etc.
“Very simple stuff,” she said, and ideally new or almost new. “My goal is for the children to have the same setup,” such as a backpack full of the same school supplies.
It’s possible, she said, that some of the children have never been to school before, have had only a sporadic education, and have faced violence. And most have experienced food insecurity.
In other districts, she said, there has been more than one influx of migrants.
“They’ve been through it twice and it’s just working with each other, to talk with each other,” said. “We have to work together to do it right. And that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Around town, chatter has been mixed, with some people complaining about the situation and some simply asking how to help the families.
One Facebook post called for a protest at the Seaport, but that person was quickly criticized by other posters.
There will be a rally to welcome the families, organized by local residents.
Organizers will have a banner and signs that say “Fairhaven welcomes all families.”
The public is encouraged to attend.
The rally will be at 9 a.m. in front of the Seaport Inn, 110 Middle Street,
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