RESETTLED IN AMERICA: An Assessment of Refugee Community-Based Organizations Practicum in International Affairs

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2. Objectives Assessment of Community-Based Organizations helping resettled refugees in the U.S. Study of CBO collaborations with similar organizations in the U.S., as well as with CBOs in the home country

3. Methodology Identified CBOs in eight resettled refugee communities in the U.S.: Bosnian, Congolese, Ethiopian, Hmong, Iraqi, Kosovar Albanian, Meskhetian Turk and Sierra Leonean. Conducted qualitative survey and phone/field interviews Analyzed possible collaborations between IRC and CBOs in the U.S. and/or the home country

5. The Bosnians Background Fled war in the Former Yugoslavia (1991-1995) 900.000 refugees, 1.3 million internally displaced (UNHCR) Came via camps in Italy, Germany, Austria, Serbia, Croatia and Slovenia The Former Yugoslavia war, from 1991 to 1995, created a refugee crisis on a scale unprecedented in Europe since the end of the World War II. By December 1995, out of a pre-war population of some 4.3 million, and estimated 900,000 had became refugees in neighboring countries and western Europe, while a further 1.3 million became internally displaced. The Former Yugoslavia war, from 1991 to 1995, created a refugee crisis on a scale unprecedented in Europe since the end of the World War II. By December 1995, out of a pre-war population of some 4.3 million, and estimated 900,000 had became refugees in neighboring countries and western Europe, while a further 1.3 million became internally displaced.

6. Bosnian Community Location in US: St. Louis, Missouri; New York City; Utica, NY; San Jose and Sacramento, CA; Chicago, Iowa, Louisville, Detroit and Atlanta. Scattered around the whole US. Diverse religious backgrounds: 44% Bosnian Muslim (Bosniac) 31% Orthodox Serb 17% Roman Catholic Croatian Majority high school diploma Very well established � jobs, businesses, stores Urban versus rural divide Religion � Most refugees in the US are Bosnian Muslim Urban vs. rural divide � refugees living in smaller rural cities in Bosnia moved to smaller cities in the US, while refugees coming form bigger metropolitan cities in Bosnia moved to bigger metropolitan cities in the US. For example. People coming from Banja Luka moved to St. Luis or Iowa where living expenses are much cheaper and getting jobs is also easier. On the other hand refugees coming from Sarajevo which is the capital ob Bosnia moved to bigger metropolitan cities such as New York and Los Angeles. Also came to the US with different education. Religion � Most refugees in the US are Bosnian Muslim Urban vs. rural divide � refugees living in smaller rural cities in Bosnia moved to smaller cities in the US, while refugees coming form bigger metropolitan cities in Bosnia moved to bigger metropolitan cities in the US. For example. People coming from Banja Luka moved to St. Luis or Iowa where living expenses are much cheaper and getting jobs is also easier. On the other hand refugees coming from Sarajevo which is the capital ob Bosnia moved to bigger metropolitan cities such as New York and Los Angeles. Also came to the US with different education.

7. Bosnian CBOs CBOs established by former refugees through informal networks, gatherings, word of mouth Serving all refugee groups from the former Yugoslavia Regional/ethnic structure of CBOs, i.e. St. Louis Male dominated leadership in collaboration with women New CBOs started by Bosnian youth (Re-connect of Community of Bosnia) primarily for educational purposes �internet based CBO�s established by former refugees through informal networks � ethnic based social and cultural service providers, with support from churches, community picnics, soccer matches and dance groups. CBO�s established by former refugees through informal networks � ethnic based social and cultural service providers, with support from churches, community picnics, soccer matches and dance groups.

8. Bosnian Collaborations in the U.S. Other similar CBO�s in the same city Resource and information sharing, capacity building Organizing events � FUNDRAISING and CULTURAL Ambassadors, senators and business community Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds. Fundraising events in collaboration with RACCOON and Albanian Women�s organization � an auction to raise funds for the orphans of Kosovo. They organized an event where artists and photographers came together. Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds. Fundraising events in collaboration with RACCOON and Albanian Women�s organization � an auction to raise funds for the orphans of Kosovo. They organized an event where artists and photographers came together.

9. Bosnian Collaborations with the home country Project financing (RACCOON) Capacity building (volunteerism) Exchanging Information Building networks Building networks � Re-connect � with universities, business for employment summer internships, etc. Building networks � Re-connect � with universities, business for employment summer internships, etc.

10. The Congolese Background Current conflict stems from Rwandan genocide in 1994 3.8 million dead and over 2.2 milloon internally displaced Came via: Tanzania, Zambia, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Angola Arrived in the US after 1996

11. Congolese Community Location in US: Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina; Dallas and Houston, Los Angeles, the Washington D.C metropolitan area, NY, NJ, Boston Little exposure to English and advanced education Relatively isolated Congolese communities Community divided along ethnic lines

12. Congolese CBOs Very few Congolese CBOs Existing CBOs rely heavily on referral system (language, legal, job sourcing) No federal funding

13. Collaborations in the U.S. and with Congo Use the internet to connect nationally and internationally Few CBO links between communities CBO staff enthusiastic about building networks and unifying communities. Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds. Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds.

14. The Ethiopians Background Since the 1970s, Ethiopia has variously suffered severed drought, famine, war and government crackdowns on opposition Recent Ethiopia/Eritrea conflict (1998-2000) resulted in 80,000 dead and mass displacement Refugees have arrived in the U.S. since the 1980s, most via neighboring Sudan and Kenya

15. Ethiopian Community Location in US: Washington D.C. metropolitan area, the greater New York area, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco �s Bay area, Las Vegas, Houston, Seattle and Minneapolis/St. Paul Many well educated, prior knowledge of English (part of Ethiopia brain drain) Strong organizational capacity;thriving Recent demonstrations in Washington, D.C. illustrates the links within the U.S. and to Ethiopia

16. Ethiopian CBOs ECDC provides model and framework for other Ethiopian CBOs CBO networks established linking major Ethiopian population centers Common services are in health, language, education, job sourcing and housing The separatist Oromo and Tigrayan CBOs illustrate some divisiveness

17. Collaborations in the U.S. and with Ethiopia Well established network of CBOs within the U.S Frequent travel between Ethiopian and U.S. for immigrants Collaborations with Ethiopia include financing and volunteerism Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds. Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds.

18. The Hmong Background Pan-Asian ethnic minority Recruited to fight alongside U.S. forces during Vietnam War Fled Laos into Thailand after communist forces took over

19. Hmong Community Location in US: Milwaukee; Minneapolis/St. Paul; Fresno and Sacramento High rates of poverty Low rates of education

20. Hmong CBOs First were founded by Hmong military Strong organizing from local to national level

21. Hmong Collaborations COLLABORATIONS IN THE US: Strong collaborations with other organizations. COLLABORATIONS WITH THE HOME COUNTRIES: None currently ongoing Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds. Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds.

22. The Iraqis Background: 1980s and 1990s: Iraq-Iran War, Saddam Hussein�s regime�s attack on Kurdish and Shiite populations First wave 1990-1994: increase from 67 to 4,984 the number of refugees entering the U.S. Second wave 1996-1998: 6,614 entered the U.S. 2003: U.S. invasion = latest wave of refugees. Overall, almost 32,000 Iraqi resettled refugees through 2002.

23. The Iraqis Community in the U.S.: 90,000 Iraqi foreign-born in the U.S. in 2000 More than 1/3 of Iraqis now in the U.S. entered as refugees and asylum seekers States with largest Iraqi population: Michigan (31,927), California (20,532) and Illinois (9,634) Many Iraqis had to make a second move after resettlement (i.e. those resettled in Louisiana and Arizona) Recent refugees: 80% primary school level education, 1% college graduates (Nashville info.), rest is illiterate. Biggest problem: trust building and discrimination According to the U.S. Census 2000. Detroit counts 30,569, San Diego: 7,500 and Chicago: 9,513 Iraqi Arabs are mostly in Michigan (Detroit and Dearborn) and Iraqi Kurds are in Tenessee (Nashville). According to the U.S. Census 2000. Detroit counts 30,569, San Diego: 7,500 and Chicago: 9,513 Iraqi Arabs are mostly in Michigan (Detroit and Dearborn) and Iraqi Kurds are in Tenessee (Nashville).

24. Iraqi CBOs Iraq Foundation in 1998: grant from ORR for Iraqi Community Organizing Project (ICOP). 1999, 2000: Creation of Iraqi Houses in Nashville, Dearborn, Chicago and St Louis. Today, Iraqi Houses are struggling to survive and are understaffed. In Seattle (app. 2,000 Iraqis): Resettled refugee Yahia Al Gharib opened Iraqi Community Center in 1999 (help from city of Seattle and state of Washington). Reason: no previous organizational support for Iraqis when he arrived, not enough Arabic speaking case workers to help newly arrived refugees Yahia advocates in schools and universities on behalf of Iraqis, especially after September 11. Kurdish CBO: not many but well organized, main one: Kurdish Human Rights Watch based in Fairfax, VA, with seven offices in U.S. and four in Iraq. ICOP Goal: to help refugees adjust to their new environment, acquire necessary skills and integrate better into American society while maintaining ties to cultural roots and sense of community. The fund is not distributed adequately (enough for office supplies and one full time staff salary), need for more assistance (managerial skills, grants writing trainings etc.) Today, Yahia�s center serves Somalis and AfghanisICOP Goal: to help refugees adjust to their new environment, acquire necessary skills and integrate better into American society while maintaining ties to cultural roots and sense of community. The fund is not distributed adequately (enough for office supplies and one full time staff salary), need for more assistance (managerial skills, grants writing trainings etc.) Today, Yahia�s center serves Somalis and Afghanis

25. Collaborations with CBOs in the U.S. Although, Iraq Foundation organizes annual conference for Iraqi Houses, not enough networking. Iraqi House in Dearborn collaborates with ACCESS (Arab American Center for Social and Economic Development). Iraqi House in Nashville (headed by Iraqi Kurd), collaborates with KHRW on cultural and advocacy projects. Iraqi Community Center: advocacy collaborations with state university and school campuses about living conditions and discrimination faced by Iraqi refugees in the U.S. Challenge: lack of networking and not enough incentives to seek collaboration outside one�s own city or state. Solution: Encourage Iraqi Foundation to build links with other than Iraqi Houses, create ties between CBOs from different states, organize events and conferences on a regular basis. Center has served almost 8,000 Iraqi families since 1995. Many traumatized and in need of mental health care. ACCESS opened in 2000 a center dedicated to people who suffered torture. Conference Department of Health and Human ServicesCenter has served almost 8,000 Iraqi families since 1995. Many traumatized and in need of mental health care. ACCESS opened in 2000 a center dedicated to people who suffered torture. Conference Department of Health and Human Services

26. Collaborations between CBOs in the U.S. and in the home country Due to the situation on the ground and the lack of funding: not much collaboration with the home country. ACCESS: collaborates on projects in Jordan (research on domestic violence, recommendations to Queen Nour), Bahrain (social research on diabetes) and other Gulf countries but nothing in Iraq. Iraq Foundation: democracy and constitution awareness in Iraq, Human Rights workshops in Baghdad, Karbala, Babel and Diwaynia. KHRW: Offices in Erbil, Kirkuk, Baghdad and Sulaimanya. Building civil society and human rights activities. Training of NGOs focusing on women�s issues in Iraq. Encouraging development of multiethnic leadership. The Iraq Foundation, in collaboration with the Human Rights and Democracy Organization, held a one-day workshop in Baghdad on the 1st of October 2005, aimed at raising public awareness on the constitution ahead of the October 15th referendum Over a period of�twelve months, the Iraq Foundation is establishing human rights curriculum, recruiting and training twenty instructors, and delivering human rights classes in 200 venues.� The training will target both implementers and guardians of human rights laws. KHRW-Erbil Center was established in 1999 and has been providing health services and preventive medicine and women health to low-income families and their children. KHRW-Erbil has renovated 101 houses in Makhmour and Debaga funded by the US Department of State in 2002-2003. Workshops and training on human rights and democracy building has been continuously provided at the Erbil Center. Health education and awareness is provided at the Center including Women and Democracy initiative since 2004. The Iraq Foundation, in collaboration with the Human Rights and Democracy Organization, held a one-day workshop in Baghdad on the 1st of October 2005, aimed at raising public awareness on the constitution ahead of the October 15th referendum Over a period of�twelve months, the Iraq Foundation is establishing human rights curriculum, recruiting and training twenty instructors, and delivering human rights classes in 200 venues.� The training will target both implementers and guardians of human rights laws. KHRW-Erbil Center was established in 1999 and has been providing health services and preventive medicine and women health to low-income families and their children. KHRW-Erbil has renovated 101 houses in Makhmour and Debaga funded by the US Department of State in 2002-2003. Workshops and training on human rights and democracy building has been continuously provided at the Erbil Center. Health education and awareness is provided at the Center including Women and Democracy initiative since 2004.

27. The Kosovar-Albanians Background Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic sends troops into Kosovo in 1999 800,000 to 900,000 Kosovar Albanians flee their homes 750,000 fled to Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and province of Montenegro US officially resettled 14, 161 refugees from Kosovo, today approximately 200,000 living in the US.

28. Kosovar Community Location in US: New York City, New Jersey and Connecticut, eastern Massachusetts, Detroit and Chicago 90 % ethnic Albanian Gravitated towards established Albanian communities and religious centers in the U.S Not organized? Returned? Too soon? Hoping to return?

29. Kosovar CBO�s Did not establish own CBO�s ; gravitated towards established Albanian Communities � religious based and social services Many Albanian organizations political � for advocacy (independence of Kosovo) Serving 50% refugees and 50% Albanian immigrants Women�s Organizations Internet connections

30. Kosovar-Albanian Collaborations in the U.S. Other similar CBO�s in the same city Resource and information sharing, capacity building (domestic violence) Organizing events � FUNDRAISING (orphaned children � Albanian Women�s Organization), CULTURAL Ambassadors, senators and business community

31. Kosovar-Albanian Collaborations in the home country Project financing (400 Voices) Aid and supplies Capacity building (volunteerism) Exchanging Information

32. The Meskhetian Turks Background November 1944: Forced exile from Georgia 1989 victims of ethnic violence in Uzbekistan Resettled across Central Asia with approximately 18,000 arriving in Southwestern Russian state of Krasnodar Krai Denied residency permits by state authorities. Harassed by local population

33. Meskhetian Turk Community Location in US: Lancaster County and Philadelphia, PA; Abilene and Houston, TX; Atlanta, Seattle and Oakland Native speakers of Turkish and Russian Top interest for the community is green card

34. Meskhetian Turk CBOs Limited organizing Several factors contribute to lack of strong organization here

35. Meskhetian Turk Collaborations COLLABORATIONS IN THE US: Collaborate primarily with Turkish organizations Organize with cultural events and donations COLLABORATIONS WITH THE HOME COUNTRIES: About 1/3 of the Meskhetian Turks has already been resettled. Had limited organizations there to begin with. Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds. Exchanging information in a sense that they encourage business community or senators to see the situation in the home countries first hand, come back to the US and raise funds.

36. The Sierra Leoneans Background: 1991 to 2002: Civil war between government and Revolutionary United Front (RUF) backed by Charles Taylor from Liberia 450,000 IDPs (Internally Displace Persons) 2002: U.N. with strong British support declared disarmament process complete. U.N. estimates 400,000 refugees fled to neighboring Guinea and Liberia. 1994: 72 refugees entering the U.S. while in 2003: 6,570 entered the U.S. (UNHCR, 2003)

37. The Sierra Leoneans Community in the U.S.: 1990s: family reunification Washington DC met. Area: also known as Freetown and New Jersey: 3rd important Sierra Leonean population after VA and MD 50-70% in NY employed in construction Education level is low, no equivalency with Sierra Leonean degrees or certificates Biggest problem: no organizing skills, ethnic divisions, no strong leadership Family reunification with members who came in the 1980s as students or professionals. Today many free cases Mattapan ,Boston: 100-150 Sierra Leoneans attend church every Sunday. Free cases: individual resettlement, no families or ties in the U.S. Ethnic divisions: tegloma (progress, advancement) and SarbehFamily reunification with members who came in the 1980s as students or professionals. Today many free cases Mattapan ,Boston: 100-150 Sierra Leoneans attend church every Sunday. Free cases: individual resettlement, no families or ties in the U.S. Ethnic divisions: tegloma (progress, advancement) and Sarbeh

38. Sierra Leonean CBOs Organized along ethnic lines: 2 main groups in the U.S. Mendes (Tegloma Federation) and Temnes (Sarbeh) Social services providers: Sierra Leone Association of Chicago and Nah We Yone in New York. Individual efforts: Alpha Lebbie in Boston, Alex Mansaray in Somerset, NJ, Joseph Mansaray in Arlington, VA. Other organization serving Sierra Leoneans: Roza Promotions on Staten Island. Challenges: need is there but organizing at very rudimentary stage Solution: forming leaders in the community who can take over the organizing process at a national level Nah We Yone (It belongs to us) provides psychological and social support as well as crisis intervention for adults, children and families (intergenerational problems). SL Association of Chicago: youth programs, adult literacy, immigration counseling, scholarships. Started as Club Chicagoland Association, changed to service providers in 2003. Challenge: people want to organize around their tribal and ethnic issues, not enough organizations working on national problems and social services rather than political. Solution: bring ethnic group leaders together to discuss issues other than politics (i.e. wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans in the U.S.) Nah We Yone (It belongs to us) provides psychological and social support as well as crisis intervention for adults, children and families (intergenerational problems). SL Association of Chicago: youth programs, adult literacy, immigration counseling, scholarships. Started as Club Chicagoland Association, changed to service providers in 2003. Challenge: people want to organize around their tribal and ethnic issues, not enough organizations working on national problems and social services rather than political. Solution: bring ethnic group leaders together to discuss issues other than politics (i.e. wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans in the U.S.)

39. Collaborations with CBOs in the U.S. Nah We Yone: advocacy projects with schools and Human Rights centers Sierra Leone Association of Chicago (Ali Kabba): building network between his association and Alpha Lebbie trying to set up a CBO in Boston. Roza Promotions: advocate in schools (PS57) on behalf of Sierra Leonean and Liberian refugees on Staten Island. In January 2005, Nah We Yone held its first forum on the plight of asylum seekers at The Schomburg Center in Harlem, NY. Advocacy for african war victims in the U.S. in collaboration with Witness. In January 2005, Nah We Yone held its first forum on the plight of asylum seekers at The Schomburg Center in Harlem, NY. Advocacy for african war victims in the U.S. in collaboration with Witness.

40. Collaborations between CBOs in the U.S. and in the home country Nah We Yone: Annual gift drive for camps in Sierra Leone and Gambia Roza Promotions: Organize soccer games in camps in Ghana, tournaments to encourage youth integration. Sarbeh: in northern Sierra Leone � Donations through churches and schools. Also, building schools in Sierra Leone. Alpha Lebbie: clothe drives in Boston area for villages in Sierra Leone, through churches Sierra Leone Association of Chicago: medicine drives (malaria) for villages in Sierra Leonean through United Methodist church in Freetown Alex Mansaray (African American Shipping Services), office in Freetown, sponsors children and schools in Sierra Leone. Annual gift drive has provided medical supplies and toiletries to refugee camps and�orphanages�in Africa.� These include camps in the Gambia and Murray Town Camp, Sierra Leone, FAWE, Chesire Home, to patients at Connaught Hospital and Chest Clinic in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Annual gift drive has provided medical supplies and toiletries to refugee camps and�orphanages�in Africa.� These include camps in the Gambia and Murray Town Camp, Sierra Leone, FAWE, Chesire Home, to patients at Connaught Hospital and Chest Clinic in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

41. Recommendations NETWORKING FORUMS RELATIONSHIP WITH IRC TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION SHARING Relationship with IRC � the IRC could send a caseworker to evaluate CBO needs and progress every six months. Eventually, the IRC could establish a team specializing in post resettlement organizing. 4CBO staff also suggested implementing increased funding periods to allow for start-up time and revisions for intervention implementation CBO staff recommended that the IRC work in close collaboration with a point person from the resettled refugee community, to gain more cultural and social information useful for future refugee resettlement. The case worker dedicated to work with specific resettled refugees should have a basic knowledge of the group�s language, culture and politics. Relationship with IRC � the IRC could send a caseworker to evaluate CBO needs and progress every six months. Eventually, the IRC could establish a team specializing in post resettlement organizing. 4CBO staff also suggested implementing increased funding periods to allow for start-up time and revisions for intervention implementation CBO staff recommended that the IRC work in close collaboration with a point person from the resettled refugee community, to gain more cultural and social information useful for future refugee resettlement. The case worker dedicated to work with specific resettled refugees should have a basic knowledge of the group�s language, culture and politics.