Where It All Began

Today it begins.

Marinda and I (Mike) have been seeking to help refugees within our community in a more meaningful and deeper than we have before.  Last Christmas we delivered gifts and food to a family, returned with some coats and boots, and then walked away without any continued contact.  It was enjoyable, hopefully a bit helpful to them, and a good learning experience for our children.  But, we found it feeling a bit empty once finished.  Like – “what have we really accomplished here?”  Sure we’d provided some physical goods for people without the same standard of living as us.  But, really – these folks come from situations we can’t even fathom.  For all I know, they are living as kings here compared to the past years or decades of living in one room tents, in refugee camps, in the brush, fleeing from violence.  I’m confident they appreciated the new bed, laptop computer, toys, and gifts.  But, we felt that we could, no we should, do more.  That set the stage for what followed in the months that followed leading up to today.

Around August, Marinda she attended an event – I don’t even remember the specifics, maybe a 5K run or craft fair or something to help provide some support to the refugee community.  There were some booths with people selling items. (She almost bought a hand crafted bag from another country that was part of a business or fundraising effort.)  In speaking with people at booths, she met a representative from Catholic Community Services that helps organize mentors to assist refugee families from the moment they arrive on the airplane in their new community for a year or more afterward in helping them get settled and acclimatized. In large measure, it’s really to help these new legal immigrants develop friendships, have a support group that can help with everything from learning what a grocery story is and how to shop at one, to understanding public transportation, to concepts like the difference between mens/womens public restrooms, American culture and norms, getting medical care, completing paperwork, etc.

Meeting this woman was an answer to prayer as we’d sought inspiration from God to know what more we could do, especially considering our family situation with several young kids under the age to 10, busy lives, and living quite a drive away from the refugee housing.  The thing that will work well for us with this CCS program is being partnered with several other mentor volunteers who also provide similar support for the single family. With coordinated efforts, each volunteer (or family) will visit the refugee family once a month – spreading out visits so they have at least a weekly visit and organized support.  We felt that a once / month visit would be able to fit in our schedules.  With travel time, that might be a 2-4 hour event each month.

From that, started the process of us exploring this in greater depth.  Tonight after work I took action and attended a Catholic Community Services orientation meeting about refugees.  Mr. Lynn gave a powerful and eye opening presentation.  The presentation was so good that I found myself wanting to make a 3-5 minute video from Lynn’s passionate and powerful presentation.  Maybe one day I’ll do that with his permission.  Some of the many interesting things I learned are:

• Understanding in greater measure the plight of refugees around the world
• Definitions of refugee vs. displaced person (one has left their home country and the other has left their home, but not their country)

  

• The significant increase in number of refugees (left their country): some 22 million today vs. 9 million in 1990 (144% increase in 26 years).
• The significant increase in number of displaced persons (within their country): some 70 million in 2016 vs. 51 million in 2013 (a 40% increase in 3 years)
• The most durable and lasting solution for the refugee / displaced people is frequently a 3rd country.  If they can’t go back to their home due to violence, unrest, and destruction, a permanent settlement in the refugee camp country is rarely a viable option.  So, arrangement for a 3rd country willing to take them in and help resettle is the most likely avenue for a settled life.
• The US government brings in the highest number, some 60,000 to 80,000 per year; the lion’s share of the 250,000 or so resettled each year
• Refugees who come to the US through resettlement program are no longer refugees. They are now legal immigrants.
• Keeping track of time and money donated with refugees is important for CSS.  They receive funding, some 45% of their funding, from government programs based on the extent of volunteer service being provided by the community.

Of course, after a presentation like this, there’s a motivational high.  I’m sure there will be frustrating times when the family can’t speak English, it’s difficult to communicate, and there doesn’t seem to be much progress.  Regardless, we’re looking forward to helping a refugee family settle and start building a new life here.  Challenges often bring the greatest rewards.