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World Relief Fox Valley Good Neighbor Team Orientation. Refugees and Immigrants What’s the Difference?. Immigrants Choose to leave their homes because of education, economics, or to join family members. Refugees
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World Relief Fox Valley Good Neighbor Team Orientation
Refugees and Immigrants What’s the Difference? Immigrants Choose to leave their homes because of education, economics, or to join family members Refugees Are forced to leave their homes because of persecution related to race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or social class
The Numbers Less than 1 percent of refugees are resettled 26 million: Refugees worldwide 10.5 million: Refugees in camps around the world 50,000 – 80,000: Refugees accepted by the US each year 1100: Dollars each refugee receives from government for basic needs
Iraqi Refugee camps in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank
Refugee camps in Darfur Refugee camp in Dedaab, Kenya
Road to Resettlement UNHCR US Dept of State Establishes refugee status Cares for refugee in time of transition 10 resettlement agency partners Finds durable solutions for living Provides$1100 per refugee IOM Travel logistics World Relief Issues loan for ticket Escorts refugees to the US
Reception & Placement R&P Period – initial 90 days Orientation – to World Relief, their new home, & life in the U.S. W2 Benefits – food share, cash assistance, Medicaid, ESL classes Medical appointments Job assessment
= Adjustment Issues for Refugees Language Friends and family at home Financial strain PTSD Culture Shock Loneliness
The GNT Experience Being a part of a Good Neighbor Team is committing to walk alongside newly arrived refugees as they transition into a life of independence. Six month commitment Areas of aid: Arrival & Welcome, Transportation, Education, Employment, Healthcare, and Finance The Goal: Self-sufficiency is achieved Long lasting friendships are formed
Welcoming the Refugees • Airport Pick-Up • No more than 2-3 people • Patience is a virtue! (delayed flights are common) • Spotting your family (IOM bag) • Appropriate seating in the car • Their New Home • Prepared meal (religiously/culturally appropriate) • Cover the basics (don’t overwhelm the refugees with housing orientation – a lot of it can wait until the 2nd day check-in)
Volunteer Expectations • We DON’T expect… • You to act as a case worker • You to respond to every need or want • You to solve every issue that arises • We ask that you… • Suspend judgment and become an active learner • Not take on more than you can handle • Use our office and staff as a resource
Gender Relations Potentially more rigid gender divides: observe and respect We ask that both men and women use discernment when interacting with individuals of the opposite sex Please report any incidence or suspicion of abuse to your coordinator
Sustainability through Empowerment Doing With Enables others to do for themselves Creates independence Long term Doing For Improves immediate conditions Creates dependency Short term