On March 24, after months of effort, an ecumenical committee of three Branford churches and community members will help welcome a new family to town who are refugees from Iraq, including twins who will celebrate their fifth birthday on the day they arrive here.

A letter issued from the committee to news agencies and town leaders earlier this month follows:

"First Congregational Church in Branford has established an ecumenical committee of 　almost 30 members of First Congregational Church, First Baptist Church, St. Mary Church and other community members to welcome a refugee family to Branford.

The committee, under the leadership of Bill Hall from First Congregational Church, is co-sponsoring a family with IRIS (Integrated Refugee and Immigrant Services) in New Haven. 　All refugees have been thoroughly vetted by the US Department of Homeland Security in a process that can take up to two years.

During the past several months a steering committee from First Congregational Church 　has identified coordinators for subcommittees on health, social services, housing, education (adult and youth), employment, transportation, finance, interpreters and daily living support. 　The committee has obtained housing within the budget established by IRIS, and has collected furnishings for this home. The goal is to have the family be self-sufficient within six months.

We look forward to welcoming an Iraqi refugee family to Branford on March 24. The family consists of a mom and twins who will celebrate their fifth birthday on the day they arrive in their new home. We invite the participation of the Branford community as we help this family begin its new life and new future in Branford."