To stand with those in need may take more than
being brave and having a good heart. Sometimes it takes an understanding as to
who we are supporting. There is a fear associated with refugees coming
into the United States due to the lack of education and alarming news
articles and media. I hope by noting a few interesting facts about incoming
refugees that this may help put some peace and understanding to who we are
serving and why "Without A Roof" has chosen to become
involved.
According to World Relief statistics there are
a total of 65.3 million forcibly displaced refugees worldwide. Never
in the history of time have we faced such an alarming situation as we are
now. 23.1 million live within refugee camps with less
than 1% of the World's refugees are resettled each year.
The United States has a long history
of welcoming in people fleeing persecution. Since 1975, more than 3
million refugees have started new lives here. Currently, 85,000 refugees will
be welcomed into the United States this year, including 10,000 from Syria. It
is believed that 2,400 will be welcomed into the Sacramento Area by the years
end.
All refugees looking for resettlement must go
through a vigorous vetting process by the United Nations and U.S.
Department of State, which includes security screening, interviews with
Homeland Security where their background is researched extensively and claims
of persecution are investigated. This screening process can take multiple
years. On average, refugees live a total of seventeen years in
refugee camps unless their lives have been threatened and then
that process is reduced to an average of two to
three years. Once they have been accepted into the US, they are
assigned to Non-Profit agencies that help with refugee resettlement that assists
with a facet of programs (e.g., financial, medical,
cultural orientation) to enhance their new lives.
Each incoming refugee receives a little
over a thousand dollars to help aid them in obtaining lower incoming
housing, groceries, furniture, cooking supplies, cleaning supplies, clothing,
hygiene kits, items needed for children, transportation, etc. This is just a
few of the items needed to get started. All refugees are set up with
a networking circle which will help them integrate into the
community. They are required to enroll children into school, take ESL (English
course) classes if needed, and start looking for employment. Within three
months of settlement the airfare fees to get to the US are expected to start
being paid back.
When refugee families arrive, it is our great
opportunity to welcome them here. We need to truly embrace, teach, lead
and guide them. Our acceptance and love will help them feel welcome and
more interested in being a part of our community. Refugees have the
potential to contribute to and enrich our country in countless ways. They
were once leaders, teachers, doctors, artists and hardworking individuals.
They have various skills and talents to share with our community and we
can learn and benefit from their strengths and abilities.
The thought of what many of these refugees
have been through and what they still have to face is frightening. Many times,
I have been asked how I became involved with starting this club.
Well the answer is simple; I was looking for some way that I could make a
positive difference in this world by leading an organization that is founded on
helping others in our community. I had the heart, ambition and
desire to change a life for good and was willing to stand for something I
believed in and could support.
-Lauren Irizarry
