Church’s LGBT Asylum Task Force Open Doors for LGBT Immigrants

WORCESTER, MA — (12-29-21) — Hadwen Park Congregational Church’s LGBT Asylum Task Force opened its doors to their renovated apartment building as a new safe space for LGBT immigrants seeking asylum from persecution.

The task force raised over $500,000 to purchase and renovate the three-story building that at one time served as a boys home.

According to Hadwen Park Congregational Church’s ministry director, Al Green, the task force used to put asylum-seekers into rented apartments, but with the program’s expansion, they need to expand to handle the influcts of LGBT immigrants over the past two years.

The building opened its doors over Thanksgiving weekend and the first members, three gay men, moved into their apartment in Worcester, Massachusetts. Alain Spyke, 26, fled Jamaica after he was continuously harassed and threatened by local gangs for being gay. “I don’t even have the words,” he said. “To come into this country and have a safe space to escape all the hardships and trauma? Not everyone has that opportunity.” said Spyke.

Over several years, Hadwen Park Congregational Church’s LGBT Asylum Task Force has helped secure over 400 LGBT asylum-seekers and is currently helping 21 more.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer

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