Update on Rodnoel - Venezuelan Asylum-Seeker

By David Crosson

Parishioners will remember Rodnoel (Noel) José Aranguren-Flores, a Venezuelan asylum-seeker who our NEAT partnership with Congregation Sherith Israel has been accompanying since fall 2021. Noel is now thriving on his own. He is moving to Richmond to share an apartment with his friend Angel and be closer work. On his own, he has acquired a new attorney, a work permit, a driver’s license, and a car. (Oh, and there’s the cat.) This delightful, bright, industrious young man has created an independent life for himself in America—exactly what NEAT is intended to do. He is just the type of person who should receive asylum, which, unfortunately, still may be years into the future. Please contact the Rev. Kira if you would like to join the St. Mary’s accompaniment team to work with more people like Rodnoel.