Be The Light. Serve With Us.

Justice for Our Neighbors 

 Justice for Our Neighbors (JFON) is a faith-driven ministry, welcoming immigrants into our churches and communities by providing free, high-quality immigration and legal services, education, and advocacy. 

National JFON, a tax-exempt non-profit organization, was created as a response to the increasingly complex immigration regulations stemming from the Immigration Reform Act of 1996. Since then, regulations have become harsher, backlogs on immigration applications have become longer, and deportation orders have increased. Many of JFON’s clients come from dangerous, even life-threatening, situations. No low-income immigrant can safely navigate the US immigration system without legal counsel. New England JFON is part of the nation-wide network of legal services established by National JFON.  

Our Values  

• We create a welcoming atmosphere for all immigrants, visitors, and neighbors

• We are compassionate and justice-oriented 

• We are volunteer based

• We care about improving our nation’s immigration policies and our communities’ relationships with immigrants

• We value the national JFON network to serve more clients, leveraging our strengths through shared information and resources 

Our Services

Legal Services:  High quality free immigration legal services are provided by staff attorneys. Typical cases include advice and counsel on what options may be possible, asylum cases, citizenship, deportation defense, family reunification petitions, special status for Immigrant Juveniles, relief for victims of domestic violence.  

Education:  Workshops such as Know Your Rights, and citizenship classes, and public information sessions on the US immigration system

Advocacy:   Advocacy at all levels of government and public discourse for more just and humane immigration laws.

Our New England Clinics

New England JFON now has five clinics:  Springfield, Woburn, Lawrence, Lowell, and Worcester. In 2020, we hope to open a clinic in Providence, Rhode Island.  The clinics in Lawrence and Lowell provide specialized legal assistance to unaccompanied minors, a most vulnerable population. We work through partnerships with established local legal aid services. We are supported by local churches, community organizations, and individuals.  The need is great in all our communities.

To find out more about NEJFON or to make an on-line donation, go to www.newenglandjfon.org.

Bristol Kitchen

On the first Saturday of each month, we prepare and serve a hearty, nutritious meal to from 50 to 80 hungry people at Bristol Kitchen in Waltham, Massachusetts. Cooking for Bristol Kitchen is one of our oldest mission efforts in continuous service. About half of the clients served are residents of the Bristol Lodge men's and families' shelters and the rest are people from the community. This nightly meal is open to anyone.  If you would like to get involved contact Terri Kolenbrander at terri.kolenbrander@gmail.com.

Food Pantries

BWUMC supports both the Watertown and Belmont Food Pantries. The Watertown Food Pantry operates out of our Watertown site at 80 Mt. Auburn Street. The Belmont Food Pantry operates out of Belmont Town Hall at 455 Concord Avenue.  Volunteers and donations (non-perishable food items and toiletries such as toothpaste, shampoo, and diapers) for both pantries are always welcome!

While we support the Food Pantries year-round, we also donate our Thanksgiving Ingathering to support the Belmont Food Pantry.

Watertown Food Pantry Open: Tuesdays 10-11:30 AM and Thursdays 4-6 PM

Belmont Food Pantry Open: 1st and 3rd Saturday each month 8:30-9:30 AM; 2nd and 4th Tuesdays each month 5:30-6:30 PM; and 4th Sunday each month 1:30-2:30 PM

Below are a few pictures when our BW Kids volunteered at the Watertown Food Pantry!

Habitat for Humanity

BWUMC has been working with Habitat for Humanity, Greater Boston since 2014, helping build affordable housing in areas where there is very little. Our volunteers have installed bamboo floors, assembled foundations and frames, attached siding, and more on Habitat's build sites in West Roxbury, Roslindale, and Malden. We have also packaged up donations at a trade show in the Boston Convention Center and worked at their ReStore in West Roxbury. Those interested in helping on build days (usually in spring or fall) can contact Rick Pernak through office@bwumc.org. If anyone has clothes, furniture, or hardware they would like to donate, they can contact the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Annual Missions

Hattie B. COOPER COMMUNITY CENTER

Each fall, we fill backpacks with school supplies for the children of Cooper Community Center. Each Christmas, we provide gifts for the children and their young siblings. Cooper Community Center is located on Washington St. in Roxbury and serves the Greater Roxbury neighborhoods.

Mary’s House Family Shelter

A mission of our Education ministries, each Easter our children and families provide filled Easter baskets for the children staying at Mary’s House Family Shelter.

Imagine No Malaria Hoop Shoot-Out

Every March, church and neighborhood youth participate in a friendly basketball competition to raise money for the United Methodist Church’s Imagine No Malaria campaign. Look for this year’s Hoop Shoot Out at the end of March—watch our Events page!

UMCOR Hygiene Kits

Each year, we pack and send 100+ hygiene kits to aid those forced from their homes by natural disaster or human conflict. Through the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR).

ALTERNATIVE GIVING FAIR

During December we showcase Christmas gifts for friends and family that also help those around the world and close to home. Featured each year are Heifer International, All Hands In (including Thistle Farms and Nightlight), Justice for Our Neighbors, and more!