Afghanistan, Two Years Later: The Need for Permanent Welcome

Dear Friend,

It’s been two years since the Afghan government officially fell to Taliban rule. Since then, over 100,000 Afghans were invited to live in the United States and with the help of organizations like Inspiritus, dedicated community partners, and welcoming neighbors like you, they’re moving forward and successfully building new lives in their new country and new local community.

However, of those 100,000 individuals, the majority are here with a temporary form of immigration status known as Humanitarian Parole that is valid for two years at a time. Without legal permanent residency, Afghan parolees face the risk of returning to the same persecution from which they fled. They have found safety, stability, and promise in the U.S. and deserve the opportunity to continue moving forward with the new lives they've started to build.

Last month, Congress reintroduced its newest iteration of the Afghan Adjustment Act (AAA) with bipartisan versions of the legislation in both the House and Senate chambers, respectively. Originally introduced last year, the AAA is legislation that if passed, would create a pathway to permanent residency for Afghans who were granted Humanitarian Parole.

Now, more than ever, we urge our Members of Congress to provide our Afghan Allies with the appropriate protections they need to remain free from persecution and to pursue the American Dream they’ve already started building.

Please join us in advocating for this important bill and ask your Members of Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act. You can learn more about the bill here and confirm who represents you in Congress here along with the phone numbers for each of your two U.S. Senators and House Rep. When calling on behalf of those we accompany, you may refer to the script below.

Sample Script:

• Hello Representative/Senator [Insert name] My name is [Insert your name] and I am a constituent and resident of [insert city], [insert state]. I am calling to ask that you support the Afghan Adjustment Act, a bill that would allow Afghans with Humanitarian Parole visas to apply for a green card and become a permanent resident. My community is one of thousands that welcomed Afghans seeking safety and I believe it is in our best interest as a country and in everyone’s individual best interest that they be given the option to permanently reside in the United States. With a temporary status, these individuals are subjected to constant uncertainty about whether they will have to return to Afghanistan, which should not be an option. I ask that the [Representative/Senator] support our Afghan allies who stood by us by supporting the Afghan Adjustment Act. Thank you.

With help of supporters like you, we have made a tremendous impact in the lives of the Afghan allies we have been fortunate to serve these past few years. If you would like to learn more about some of the incredible individuals we have had the privilege to accompany, click on their images below!

You can also find these stories on our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn platforms.

Sincerely,

Aimee Zangandou
Executive Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services
Inspiritus

Afghan Refugees, Two Years Later: From Surviving to Thriving

Dear Friend,

Yesterday, on social media, we introduced you to some of the Afghan refugees we at Inspiritus have had the great pleasure of serving since welcoming them to the United States, over the last two years. Some of these individuals served as allies alongside U.S. military members, while others were resettled through the traditional U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The individuals who have come through these immigration pathways are fortunate in that they have no-to-few barriers to U.S. legal permanent residency, enhancing the prospect of a more stable and certain future.

However, of those roughly 76,000 Afghans who were evacuated as part of the Operation Allies Welcome rescue mission, the majority were admitted with Humanitarian Parole, allowing them to temporarily enter the United States, “due to an emergency and urgent humanitarian reason.” While their parole was recently extended for another two years, their long-term futures remain uncertain until Congress passes the Afghan Adjustment Act, which will make them eligible to apply for a green card and continue building the lives they started creating for themselves in the U.S.

Nevertheless, for parolees like Suraiya, this sense of uncertainty has been no hindrance toward pursuing their future goals. Evacuated in late August 2021, Suraiya and her family were welcomed by Inspiritus in Atlanta and she is now working full-time at a local nonprofit health clinic while she takes steps toward enrolling in aviation school. Her goal? To be the first Afghan woman to fly a plane for Delta.

Suraiya is just one of many incredible individuals we have served in the past two years who have already made incredible gains for themselves and contributions to their local communities. You can learn more about Suraiya and other Afghan newcomers we’ve welcomed across our programming by clicking on their pictures below.

Make sure to follow us on social media this week as we continue to highlight the impactful stories of those we have the privilege to accompany. You can find these stories on our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn platforms.

Sincerely, 

John R. Moeller Jr.
President & CEO
Inspiritus

Afghan Refugees, Two Years Later. Where Are They Now?

Dear Friend,

Tomorrow, August 15, will mark two years since the Taliban gained control of Afghanistan. For the thousands of Afghans evacuated to the U.S. as part of Operation Allies Welcome, and the approximate 2.6 million Afghan refugees around the world, this is a day of sorrow, conjuring painful memories of people, places, and a way of life they were forced to leave behind.

Despite these impossible hardships, we at Inspiritus have seen amazing strides from the Afghans we have welcomed, witnessing the creation of new memories with new friends in a new place, during a period of life that, for them, is equally novel and challenging. Amidst unfathomable loss and change, these individuals have demonstrated incredible courage and acceptance, approaching life in the U.S. as one of opportunity where they can once again find happiness, prosperity, and peace.

Example...Nargis Naseri, a young woman who came to Atlanta by herself with no local contacts and has now found purpose and a connection to her local community through her job at another refugee-serving nonprofit organization. There’s also Amin, an IT professional with young children, his former professional ties to the US government would ultimately pose a threat to his family, prompting them to leave Afghanistan. Less than two years after being resettled in Birmingham, he’s found a great job in his field and spends some of his free time doing volunteer IT work with a local nonprofit.

Nargis’ and Amin’s stories exemplify a trend we know to be true: When you invest in refugees, they’ll invest right back in the communities that welcomed them ten-fold.

As we reflect on the events that unfolded two years ago, we are also reflecting on the resilience of our new Afghan neighbors like Nargis and Amin, and the many successes they have achieved in such a short time.

Beginning tomorrow and for the rest of the week, we will be uplifting the stories of nearly a dozen Afghan refugees we have welcomed, who will share their own reflections on where they have been and where they are now, two years later.

We will also be sharing more information about the Afghan Adjustment Act, a piece of legislation that if passed by Congress, would ensure that Afghan evacuees would not be subject to return to Afghanistan and can apply for legal permanent residency in the U.S.

With help of supporters like you, we have made a tremendous impact in the lives of the Afghan allies we have been fortunate to serve these past few years. We can’t wait to share their impactful stories with you throughout the week!

You will be able to find these stories on our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn platforms.

Sincerely, 

John R. Moeller Jr.
President & CEO
Inspiritus

Title 42 Immigration Policy & Team Libertad

Dear Friend, 

A little more than a month has passed since the expiration of Title 42, the pandemic-era public health measure that was issued more than 2.8 million times to expel migrants from claiming asylum at the U.S. southern border since its implementation in March 2020. In its place, our current Administration has introduced new federal policies that do little to protect vulnerable individuals who are seeking asylum and do even less in the way of offering sustainable, long-term solutions to help repair our nation’s broken immigration system.  

This new rule instituted on May 11 severely restricts the ability of migrants to effectively claim asylum at the U.S. border unless they can demonstrate that they were denied asylum in another country. Additionally, this rule mandates that asylum applicants first make an appointment through a phone app, CBP One, now infamous for its frequent glitches and deficiencies in its facial recognition technology, which has resulted in discriminatory outcomes for hopeful asylum seekers. And while we commend the Administration for expanding legal pathways for individuals seeking temporary safety such as the 2-year Humanitarian Parole program for Afghans, Ukrainians, Venezuelans, and others, Congress will need to take action to ensure these individuals can access a green card and continue investing in themselves and this country since starting a new life in the United States. 

While the timeline around Congressional action remains uncertain, it is absolutely certain that Inspiritus, along with members of our local communities, will continue to do the work on the ground to support individuals escaping violence and persecution along every step of their journey to safety and stability.  

One of our newly added programs, Team Libertad, is an exemplary model for how local communities are welcoming asylum seekers in Atlanta. Relying almost entirely on volunteers, Team Libertad depends on compassionate individuals to help serve the 50-100 travelers it greets at the airport on a weekly basis who are leaving the state to reunite with loved ones and wait their day in asylum court.

These travelers are individuals seeking asylum who were recently released from the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. Arriving at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport with many emotions and few resources, Team Libertad steps in to welcome them to Atlanta and to help meet any immediate or expressed need such as access to food, a cell phone, or assistance getting to their gate. While the road to asylum approval is long and arduous, these small acts of kindness make a big difference in the lives of the travelers we encounter.  

As we look toward World Refugee Day next week, we invite you to join us in the work we are doing on the ground every day to make our communities a more welcoming place for those in need of humanitarian protection. Here are three things you can do:

• Volunteer with Team Libertad in Atlanta: No matter your availability, there are opportunities for you to be a welcomer to weary travelers morning, afternoon, or night. Click here to sign up, or contact Program Coordinator Andrea Espinoza for more information at andrea.espinoza@weinspirit.org  

• Donate to Team Libertad: Your donations will help cover the costs of meals, backpacks, hygiene items, and other resources necessary to support our work. Click here to donate and please mark “Refugee Services: Team Libertad” as the recipient of your donation.  

• Attend a World Refugee Day Celebration: No matter where you are located, Inspiritus is hosting events at all four of our resettlement sites. On June 20th, we will be celebrating in Nashville, Birmingham, and Savannah, while June 25th will mark our 10th annual Clarkston celebration. Check out the graphics below for more details on where and when your local celebration will take place.

Thank you for your continued support in empowering the families and individuals we accompany on their journey from surviving to thriving.

With gratitude,

Aimee Zangandou
Executive Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services
Inspiritus

Help Send A Refugee Child To Summer Camp

Dear Friend,

Last week, we introduced you to some of the refugee children we at Inspiritus have the great pleasure of serving. This particular group of children endured an arduous journey on their path to safety, alone and unaccompanied before arriving to the United States with the goal of being reunited with their families or a family friend here in Georgia. With their migration journey at an end, they begin their journey of adjusting to life in a new country and new community. Inspiritus is there to guide them on this journey, providing support in areas of English language acquisition, academic enrichment, and social-emotional wellness that can help these children heal from the often-traumatic experiences they encountered since leaving home. 

Our friends at Lutheranch, a Christian summer camp and conference center, have joined us in our mission to help these children on their path from surviving to thriving, and have graciously offered to host 10 of these children at camp this summer where they can continue their journey of growth and healing in a safe space. Your help can make it possible for a child to experience healing & growth at Lutheranch camp this summer! 

How exactly does summer camp make a profound difference in the life of a refugee child? Family Reunification Coordinator Kari Ellers witnessed the powerful impact that camp had on two of our girls who attended last summer. Here’s what she says:

“Camp means the possibility for many children to be children in a world where so often, because of their life circumstances, they quickly learn how to act and live beyond their years. Camp provides children with an opportunity to connect with nature and each other, to explore and have fun, to learn experientially without the pressure of grades and testing. Camp is a sacred healing space, planting seeds of love and self-care that continue to blossom for years to come. Camp is about the personal breakthroughs, the ‘aha’ moments, and it is those moments that even during our darkest of times, help to carry us forward.” 

With your support, you can similarly help be a part of our work in helping to carry these children forward on their path from surviving to thriving. 

This week, we’d like you to meet Marcos, Sophia, and Diego- three of the ten hopeful campers eager to spend a week at Lutheranch this summer. 

Meet Marcos:

At 16-years-old, Marcos already has a clear vision for what kind of person he wants to become. “I want to be a person with values- a positive person who does good things like helping my family, working for my country, having my own house, car, and business.”

An avid fan of true crime television, Marcos’ plan for pursuing his own version of the American dream involves a college degree in Criminology and a career in law enforcement.

Marcos is described by his Inspiritus case workers as, “sweet, curious, and just lovely”, and they talk about how rewarding it has been to see Marcos become more open and outgoing with people over time.

While at Lutheranch this summer, he is most excited about the idea of playing soccer with other campers and spending time in nature among the mountains and a river or lake.

Meet Sophia & Diego: 

Eleven-year-old *Sophia has a huge heart for a little girl. Described as “generous and sweet” by her Inspiritus case workers, she is the type of child who is always thinking about others. Upon realizing that Inspiritus accepts donations to families in need, she took it upon herself to bring in an old dress she no longer wears so another child could enjoy wearing it as much as she did.

During snack time at her after school program, she is the one who always makes sure the other kids have enough to eat and will offer some of her snacks to share with her friends. She loves to color and while at camp this summer, is most looking forward to painting outdoors and feeding the animals.

In classic “younger sibling” fashion, her little brother, *Diego, wants to be included in whatever his big sister does, including the opportunity to attend Lutheranch. Seven-year-old Diego is super excited to make new friends this summer. His dream is to travel the world and (unsurprisingly) like big sister, Sophia, he wants to be a police officer when he grows up.

If you would like to empower children like Marcos, Sophia, and Diego on their path from surviving to thriving, please consider donating to our "Refugee Services: After School & Summer Camp" fund.

While the cost of each camp varies slightly by age range and the activities it includes, the majority of our children are registered for horse camp, which costs $725.00/week. All donations allocated to this fund will be used to send children to Lutheranch this summer!

You can make a monetary donation by clicking the button below. After selecting the "Refugee Services: After School & Summer Camp" fund, please enter "Lutheranch Donation" in the comment box.

Thank you for your continued support in empowering those we accompany on their journey from surviving to thriving!

With Gratitude,

Aimee Zangandou
Executive Director of Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services

Help Send 10 Refugee Children To Summer Camp

Dear Friend,

The end of another school year is upon us. For many fortunate children, summer is a special time when they pack a bag and head away to summer camp. More than just s’mores and a break from homework, camp can be a transformative place where children experience the therapeutic power of the great outdoors, explore new interests, and make lasting friendships.

Our friends at Lutheranch care about the children we at Inspiritus have the privilege of serving, and have offered to provide a unique opportunity for a special group of children cared for by Inspiritus to attend a Lutheranch camp experience where they can grow and heal in a safe space. Your help can make it possible for a child to experience healing & growth and Lutheranch camp this summer!

The group of children invited to this Lutheranch experience have come to the United States unaccompanied, alone and on an often traumatic journey. Inspiritus staff have worked with them to help them adjust to their new lives in Georgia where they have been reunited with family or a family friend, and we continue to work with their households to help ensure the children have access to the support and care they need.

Our partnership with Lutheranch, a Christian camp and conference center located in Tallapoosa, Georgia has become one of these resources. Last year, Lutheranch graciously helped provide funding for sisters *Lucia and Mari to attend a week of summer camp. Recognizing the positive impact camp had when picking them up last year, Family Reunification Coordinator Kari Ellers notes how the girls came back more confident, willing to take risks and try new things, adding, “Camp planted a seed that allowed them to grow…to be reminded of their goodness and ability to dream beyond their current situation.”  

At Inspiritus, we believe every child should have these opportunities to grow and dream and with your generous support, can send 10 children to Lutheranch this summer!

Over the next three weeks, we’ll be introducing you to some of these hopeful new campers so you can get to know them and learn more about how a week at summer camp can make all the difference as we walk with them on their path from surviving to thriving.

Meet Beatriz & Paola:

Sisters *Beatriz and Paula (14 and 17 respectively) are known for their sweet disposition and compassion toward others. Originally from Mexico, the girls have found a new home and community in Georgia with their mother, who has found work on a local farm since arriving to the United States. The horses, chickens, and other livestock on this farm have become a source of joy and comfort for Beatriz and Paula, and as a result, they have cultivated a shared love of animals and intellectual interest in the natural world.

When asked about what they hope to do while at camp, both girls gleamed at the opportunity to ride horses and “learn even more about animals”- a reference to the long list of fun animal facts they’ve absorbed in recent months. While Beatriz is additionally excited to spend time exploring the outdoors and go swimming, Paola is looking forward to spending her time outdoors under a shady tree with a good book.

Although both girls are a little shy by nature, they see camp as an opportunity to spend time with kids their age and make new friends using their English language skills they’ve been working hard to develop this academic school year.

Beyond desiring a week at camp, Beatriz dreams of serving in the United States military and Paola, the National Guard. Having the opportunity to practice English conversation and leadership /teamwork skills in a non-threatening environment at camp will be foundational steppingstones for their vocational journey ahead.

If you would like to empower children like Beatriz and Paula on their path from surviving to thriving, please consider donating to our "Refugee Services: After School & Summer Camp" fund. All donations allocated to this fund will be used to send children to Lutheranch this summer! You can make a monetary donation by clicking the button below.

Thank you for your continued support in empowering those we accompany on their journey from surviving to thriving!

With Gratitude,

Aimee Zangandou
Executive Director of Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services

Team Libertad Joins Inspiritus

Dear Friend,

Inspiritus is proud to announce the addition of Team Libertad to our current suite of programs aimed at serving Georgia’s Refugee and Immigrant communities. Team Libertad was founded in May 2022 with the purpose of providing resources and assistance to recently detained asylum seekers who are leaving Georgia to reunite with loved ones and wait their day in asylum court.

Comprised of about 100 active volunteers, Team Libertad depends on compassionate individuals from welcoming communities to serve the 50-100 travelers it greets at the airport on a weekly basis. These travelers are individuals seeking asylum who were recently released from the Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia. Arriving to Hartsfield Jackson with many emotions and few resources, Team Libertad steps in to welcome them to Atlanta and to help meet any immediate or expressed need such as:

• Access to language interpretation

• Use of cell phones to contact loved ones

• Assistance obtaining tickets and boarding passes

• Guidance through security screening and locating departure gates

• Distribution of travel essentials such as personal hygiene items, food, weather-appropriate clothing, and backpacks

Inspiritus aims to help the individuals we serve to discover their inner strength and resilience. In acting as a resourceful and comforting presence to vulnerable asylum seekers who endured long periods of isolation and hardship, Team Libertad walks alongside these individuals as they find their inner strength to navigate the last step on their long journey to safety. We are thrilled to welcome them to the Inspiritus Refugee and Immigrant Services team!

Want to help welcome asylum seekers at the airport with Team Libertad? Sign up for a volunteer shift at bit.ly/airport-signup.

For questions or more information, contact Andrea Espinoza, Team Libertad Program Coordinator, at andrea.espinoza@weinspirit.org.

Sincerely,

Aimee Zangandou
Executive Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services

CALL TO ACTION: Asylum Seekers Need Your Help

Dear Friend,

Inspiritus is grateful for advocates like you who help us accompany and speak up on behalf of our most vulnerable neighbors who are seeking refugee and/or asylum in the United States. If you are interested in advocating for asylum seekers, please prayerfully consider this action alert and call to action:

On February 23, the agency for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposed a set of new rules pertaining to the asylum process for vulnerable immigrants seeking to enter the U.S. from the Southern border. Current law under the Immigration and Nationality Act explicitly permits any individual with a well-founded fear of persecution to seek asylum from within the U.S. or at a port of entry. This newly proposed rule, entitled “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways”, would automatically disqualify cases from individuals who seek asylum directly at the border.

If this rule is enacted, it will require that individuals first apply for asylum in a nearby country, and then apply for asylum in the U.S. if their case in this initial country was formally denied.

The process is already very difficult or near impossible for some asylum seekers to navigate on their own. For example, the only way individuals can formally apply for asylum is the CBP One app, the platform through which applicants receive confirmation of appointments and additional correspondence. While access to a smart phone or accessible WiFi is an obvious barrier, the app has reportedly experienced widespread technical glitches and is available in only English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

While there are a few exceptions to the proposed rule (such as for unaccompanied minors or individuals with exceptionally grave medical needs), these changes would essentially deny tens of thousands of asylum seekers due process when attempting to exercise their legal right to seek safety. It also will put them back in harm’s way. If passed, these changes would take effect on May 11 and would remain in place for the next two years.

The administration is reversing course on its previous commitment to restoring asylum and it is imperative that we speak out. You can help advocate against these proposed changes by submitting a public comment online by March 27th. Click here to submit your comment.

You can find a template below to use as a guideline.

Hello, my name is [insert name] and I am writing from [insert hometown and state] to oppose the newly proposed changes to asylum policy outlined in “Circumvention of Lawful Pathways.” If implemented, these new changes would severely undermine the ability of vulnerable peoples to seek asylum according to U.S. and international law. The additional barriers these regulations would impose are arbitrary and will only prolong the dangerous circumstances from which migrants are seeking to escape. It is imperative that the U.S. uphold its role as beacon of safety and opportunity for immigrants facing persecution in their home countries and as such, it is critical that we do not close pathways for seeking asylum for the tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals and families for whom humanitarian parole or refugee resettlement is not an option. As a(n) [immigrant, person of faith, volunteer, staff of an immigrant-serving organization, etc.], I implore you to reconsider these proposed changes and find solutions that help restore asylum access, rather than dismantle it.

With gratitude,

Aimee Zangandou
Executive Director of Inspiritus Refugee & Immigrant Services

One Year Later: Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

Dear Friend,

One year has passed since Russia invaded Ukrainian territory, marking the beginning of an ongoing conflict that has forced 6.3 million Ukrainians to flee their country. Since last April’s launch of the Uniting for Ukraine program, around 102,000 Ukrainian nationals were welcomed to the US with the help of highly committed individuals or groups who sign on as their legal sponsors, and organizations like Inspiritus, who provide support to newcomers and their sponsors as they navigate processes like school enrollment, securing employment, and other post-arrival essentials that set them up for success. To date, the Ukrainian Support Services Team at Inspiritus has connected with 384 Ukrainians across Georgia and Alabama.

Photo Credit: Time Magazine

Unlike refugees who come through the formal refugee admissions program, Ukrainians do not currently have a pathway for legal permanent residency, and are instead offered Humanitarian Parole, a form of temporary protected status that while grant authorization and other benefits, does not guarantee a permanent future in the US. Despite these uncertainties, the Ukrainians served by Inspiritus have chosen to turn hardship into opportunity and are on a path toward thriving in their new local communities.

Below are just a few stories of Inspiritus clients whose stories exemplify the resilience and optimism refugees bring with them to the United States.

Meet Sofia Castillo Kozhujovskaya (Atlanta, GA):

Sofia Castillo Kohzhujovskaya is no stranger to moving around. With one parent from Central America and another from Ukraine, she grew up in Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Mexico before eventually moving to Ukraine as an adolescent. While she grew up speaking Ukrainian and Spanish, she grew fluent in both English and Russian while in school. A high school senior when the war broke out, she would eventually earn her high school degree through an online English-language high school equivalency program and graduated while spending five months in a refugee camp in Poland.

Sofia arrived to Atlanta on July 27, 2022 with the help of her sponsor, a friend of her mother’s and former Marine. Sofia describes the Georgians she’s met as “very expressive” and “so polite,” emphasizing the strong level of support she felt from Kristian Dawson, Ukrainian Services Program Supervisor in Atlanta, someone with whom she says she could easily connect.

Very soon after arriving, Sofia kept moving forward with her original plans to pursue higher education and is currently a freshman Psychology major at Kennesaw State University where she commutes to and from Alpharetta a few days a week to take classes and tutor other students in Russian as a work-study job through the university.

Sofia is a self-described “gym rat” and enjoys watching the “Walking Dead” when she’s not working out. She hopes to visit Senoia, Georgia sometime soon, where much of the popular tv show was filmed. While she has professional dreams to become a psychological profiler, the price she currently pays for out-of-state tuition complicates the process. While traditional refugees and asylees are eligible for in-state tuition after one year of residency in Georgia, humanitarian parolees like Sofia are considered international students regardless of how many years they ultimately live in the state.

“As an 18-year-old, my income isn’t much. Having in-state tuition next year would help me work toward my goals in a very big way. Some people, especially older people, want to go back, but the life they had in Ukraine does not exist. This is my life now and I want to stay.”

Meet Olha Piatak (Savannah, GA):

To say that Olha Piatak is lucky is an understatement. The day that the war broke out on February 24, 2022, she and her friend, Diana, were on a train on a pre-planned trip to the mountains. As panic ensued back home in Kyiv, Olha and her friend were able to safely make it to the Ukrainian-Polish border where they waited for 24 hours with no food or water before being permitted to cross. After staying with a family in Warsaw for a week, Olha and Diana went on to stay with friends in Berlin, parts of Southern France, and Paris for the next eight months. 

Olha taking in the beauty of Downtown Savannah.

Diana’s mother, who had moved to Georgia three years ago, would go on with her husband to formally sponsor the girls through the Uniting for Ukraine program, sending them across the Atlantic to Baxley, GA, a small town about two hours West of Savannah.

In Savannah, Olha was connected to a member of the Inspiritus team, Olha Maney, who helped her get on her feet as a new US resident. “Olha is an amazing person,” she says. “We’re so happy that we met her because she really did care about us. Not only did she help us with preparing documents and so on, she was always asking how we were doing. It is so sweet to realize that people care because you’re new to this country and don’t have many friends or people around.”

Olha has since left Savannah after reconnecting (and falling in love) with a former classmate from Kyiv. After moving to Chicago where her now partner was living, they chose to follow the footsteps of many other young dreamers and moved out to Los Angeles where they are happily living and preparing to take their drivers’ license exam. While Olha used to be a graphic designer in Ukraine, she hopes to combine her business degree and love of baking to eventually start her own line of sugar-free baked goods. Finding a job at a bakery is the next step after getting her license and a car.

Olha’s message for US lawmakers? “Ukrainian people are super hard working and open for opportunities to start and live our life here. Can you imagine a situation where you started a life and you’re thinking about your future and the government is telling you to go back because parole is over? Please do not destroy our plans. We want the opportunity to naturalize.”

Meet Olena Vyshyvanyuk (Birmingham, AL):

Olena Vyshyvanyuk epitomizes what it means to be a servant leader. As soon as it became clear she and her family would be sponsored by an American family in Birmingham, she started to look for employment opportunities that would allow her to help fellow Ukrainians seeking refuge in Alabama.

After learning more about Inspiritus online, conversations with our Ukrainian Services Support team began overseas and continued in-person both as a client receiving services after arriving in November 2022, and eventually as a new staff member who was hired in January 2023 as the Ukrainian Services Case Manager for Alabama.

Olena and her family on Christmas Day in front of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Birmingham.

In little over three months since their arrival, Olena’s family has found a real home in Birmingham. Her husband, with whom Olena shared a fabric business back in Ukraine, is working in alterations currently and has plans to start up his own business again in the future. Her three daughters have quickly made new friends and spend their time after school engaged in various activities from dance, basketball, and art. Of Birmingham, Olena says, “I love the people here. People are really kind, sincere, and always trying to help with open hands. We love the schools here and the weather. Here, it’s not so cold!”

For Olena, helping other Ukrainians with similar experiences serves as an outlet for healing. Her ability to empathize with her clients, along with her fluency in Russian, Ukrainian, and English, similarly offers her clients a sense of trust and connection as they navigate challenges around finding their own housing, employment, etc.

“Inspiritus is doing a great job. We are making it easier for them and they really need help. I just hope we can help more people.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

With no imminent resolution to the conflict in sight, much remains uncertain, including the future of Ukrainians living in the US with humanitarian parole. Below are some ways you can take action to ensure these individuals can continue to live a life of safety and prosperity in the US.

• Call your members of Congress and tell them to support legislation that offers status adjustment for Ukrainians, Afghans, and other populations with Humanitarian Parole. Click here to find your US House Member and Senators.

• Sample Message: “My name is [Insert Name] and I am your constituent from [City, State]. [As a person of faith/a refugee/a veteran/community member], I am asking that you support legislation offers status adjustment for Ukrainians, Afghans, and other vulnerable populations we welcomed through the humanitarian parole program. Without the opportunity to become a legal permanent resident, groups that the US government helped evacuate or otherwise help escape conflict will face uncertainty and insecurity. Congress has historically passed similar bills for vulnerable evacuated populations, and this legislation is similarly needed now. I encourage you to revisit the advancement of an Afghan Adjustment Act and new legislation that can offer similar permanent protections for Ukrainians and others with humanitarian parole.

• Support US sponsorship of Ukrainian nationals and other vulnerable populations seeking safety. Uniting for Ukraine is still seeking US-based sponsors who can commit to providing temporary housing and assistance to Ukrainians willing to relocate to the United States. Ukrainian-Americans and Ukrainian or Russian speakers are especially encouraged to apply. Visit Welcome.US or contact Kristian Dawson, at Kristian.dawson@weinspirit.org for more information.

• Donate to help empower Ukrainians on their journey from surviving to thriving: www.weinspirit.org/donate

With gratitude,

The Refugee & Immigrant Services Team

Inspiritus

"Hope Can't Be Quarantined"

Dear Friends,

We want to highlight the following op-ed piece that ran over the weekend. Our CEO, John Moeller, co-authored this article along with Krish O’Mara Vignarajah, the President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. In case you missed it, we are reprinting it here as it is a critical topic that needs immediate attention.

________________________________________

Opinion: Migrants in detention deserve dignity, sanitary conditions

While anxious shoppers across the country stockpile toilet paper and hand sanitizer in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, immigrants at Stewart Detention Center in Lumpkin, Georgia, struggle to make their lone bar of soap last the week. Even more so now, as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed at least 9 positive cases among detainees in the facility and 23 cases among personnel, according to the private prison contractor, CoreCivic, that operates the detention center.

If they want to wash their hands more frequently or with liquid soap per the CDC’s handwashing recommendations, they must use their commissary accounts – that is, if they have any money at all. Those fortunate enough can buy basic supplies like soap or toothpaste at more than double, or even five times the price they’d pay outside. Only some have the opportunity to earn money by working at their detention facilities, often for a salary of $1 per day. Migrants literally cannot afford the soap to keep themselves safe.

And this soap shortage is only the tip of the iceberg. Nearly every day since the pandemic began, leaders from former ICE acting director John Sandweng to medical experts for the Department of Homeland Security have been calling for the release of the nearly 32,000 migrants in ICE custody to help mitigate further outbreak. In late March, 3,000 medical professionals sent a letter to ICE urging them to reduce the detention population. It responded instead by increasing the number of detainees by 700 within that same week. Despite the agency’s announcement that they would limit enforcement and arrests during the pandemic, raids have continued — including in New York, the crisis’ U.S. epicenter.

Migrant detention centers are, as many have called them, tinderboxes. Close quarters, substandard hygiene supplies, and a failure to adhere to CDC recommendations means that the spread of the virus in these facilities is nearly inevitable. Just this past summer, a mumps outbreak quickly spread through 57 facilities across the U.S. — and already, 267 migrant detainees and 123 ICE personnel have tested positive for coronavirus nationwide.

And yet, efforts to release inmates from prison to stop the spread of COVID-19 have been far more effective than calls to release ICE detainees. Just shy of 32,000 domestic prisoners have been released or diverted from penitentiary facilities nationwide, according to the UCLA School of Law’s “COVID-19 Behind Bars” project. Meanwhile, no more than 700 migrants have been released from ICE detention across the country – with hundreds of men and women above the age of 60 still in custody. Why can we not show the same level-headed compassion to the tens of thousands of migrants with no criminal record?

Seeking a better life should not be a death sentence — and migrants are trying to raise the alarm, despite ICE’s attempts to silence them. Guards at three ICE detention facilities in Louisiana and Texas have used force to suppress protests over coronavirus concerns. We’ve also seen at least five hunger strikes by detainees to secure more hygiene supplies or their release from crowded facilities, where implementing social distancing is impossible.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is proud to stand with these migrants in the fight for their lives. The coronavirus pandemic is a time of unprecedented uncertainty for all of us, but it is a time, too, for us to acknowledge and embrace our shared humanity.

There are so many ways to help our brothers and sisters in detention: write letters, donate to a visitation program that places funds in migrants’ commissary accounts, urge your elected officials to support humane alternatives to detention, or simply spread the word about the inhumanity faced by those in ICE detention.

Empathy can’t be detained. Compassion can’t be kept in cages. Hope can’t be quarantined.

Krish O’Mara Vignarajah is the President and CEO of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, one of the nation’s oldest and largest immigration nonprofits.

John Moeller is the President and CEO of Atlanta-based Inspiritus and a Board Member of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service.

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Please see link to the Op-ed here, and thank you for your continued support and kindness.

With Gratitude,

Virginia Spencer

Vice President of Development

Inspiritus

New Americans Celebration

The seventh annual New Americans Celebration held their annual day of education and outreach for refugees and immigrants, on Thursday, February 13th. Hosted by the Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies, NAC celebrated new Americans, particularly those now living in Georgia. Supporters met on Atlanta’s State Capitol to engage with legislators and share why refugees and immigrants should continue to be welcomed in Georgia.

The coalition of 21 refugee and immigrant-serving organizations, including Inspiritus, sought to highlight the contributions made by refugees in the state. Currently, the federal government is appealing a judge’s decision to block the Trump administration from enforcing an executive order that allows state and local governments to turn away refugees.

Over 350 advocates braved the rain to let their representatives know that #GALovesRefugees Many speakers spoke on behalf of GA’s refugee community. One of those speakers was Mohammed Karim, a client in our Refugee Youth Career Pathways program. Mohammed had recently become a citizen, and he represented the refugee community during the New Americans Celebration press conference.

Inspiritus resettled Mohammed’s family over five years ago. Mohammed received a scholarship through Inspiritus and is currently a student at Georgia State University studying criminal justice to one day become a police officer or join the U.S. Military. We’re very proud of Mohammed, and you can watch some of the press coverage below:

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/community-members-march-to-georgia-state-capitol-to-show-support-to-refugees-and-immigrants/85-e84a8ef5-981b-4f9b-b3e0-4f034e205f86

#GALovesRefugees and #GALovesImmigrants!

"Laws Aren't Perfect" - A Call to Mercy, Pt. 4

For two weeks, Honduran-born U.S. immigration attorney Killa M. will share her reflections on life in Honduras and on showing mercy to unaccompanied children in "A Call to Mercy", a four-part LSG blog series. Click to read parts one, two, and three.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia

When people tell me that unaccompanied children broke the law and, as such, should not be shown mercy, I tell them that laws aren’t perfect and they don’t always reflect current societal realities. There are very few forms of immigration relief available for these minors. One of them is asylum. To succeed in an asylum claim, a person must show a well-founded fear of persecution based on a protected ground such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group (an ever-changing concept that is applied differently depending on the justice circuit where the case is being heard). The person must demonstrate that they are unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin, or that they are unable or unwilling to avail themselves of the protection of that country. This seems like a straightforward concept, but that could not be further from the truth. I could write a dissertation on the complexity of American asylum law, but suffice it to say, our current asylum policy was not drafted to deal with the kind of generalized violence that now reigns in Honduras. To quote the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Delgado Ortiz v. Holder, “Asylum is not available to victims of indiscriminate violence, unless they are singled out on account of a protected ground.” So what can you do when your life is constantly in danger for any reason, or no reason at all?

The limited availability of asylum is reflected in the fact that in 2013, only 3.9 percent of the Honduran asylum claims that came before U.S. Immigration Courts were granted. Seems like an awfully small percentage given that it is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

Even when you present a prima facie case in the U.S. legal system, it is not guaranteed that the law will be applied properly. For example, my brother, an attorney working closely with my mother, sought asylum in the U.S. after our mother was murdered. He presented evidence of the murder and of the fact that, since our mother’s death, he had been followed and harassed on multiple occasions. He also presented documentation from the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights requesting that the Honduran government investigate the murder and provide protection to my brother. He presented the Honduran government’s response that it was unwilling and unable to provide that protection. He presented affidavits from prosecutors, judges, security experts, and fellow attorneys testifying that he would surely suffer harm if he remained in Honduras. He asked the U.S. Military Attaché assigned to Honduras to testify to the violent living conditions in Honduras. Finally, he presented evidence that, in 2013 alone, 53 attorneys had been murdered in Honduras. His case was denied because, among other reasons, “[he] had failed to show that any future harm [he] feared is on account of one of the protected characteristics.” If an educated adult, with an objective fear of death, hundreds of pages of evidence, and adequate legal counsel was unable to receive this form of relief, how do you think an unaccompanied child will fare in the U.S. legal system?

For these reasons, I beg you not to turn a blind eye to what is happening at the border with these children. I don’t know exactly how to solve the crisis in Honduras or how to reform immigration laws to ensure protection of these children while slowing the influx of arrivals. I have some ideas, but that is a conversation for another day. For now, I know that we, as Christians, are responsible for showing mercy to these young kids who have already seen more tragedy than most people ever will in their entire lives. There are many ways to help, from volunteering to foster an unaccompanied child to writing a letter to your Senator about the issue. Whatever you do, don’t remain silent.

If you have questions about this blog series or for Killa, please contact Abi Koning, Communications Coordinator, at akoning@lsga.org.

"Why You Should Care" - A Call to Mercy, Pt. 3

For two weeks, U.S. immigration attorney and Honduran native Killa M. will share her reflections on life in Honduras and on showing mercy to unaccompanied children in "A Call to Mercy", a four-part LSG blog series. Click to read part one and part two.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia.

I’m not a sociologist, nor have I studied the development of violent crime as an academic subject. If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re already aware that Honduras is known as the “Murder Capital of the World”. According to the most recent UN study, the murder rate in Honduras is 90 out of 100,000 people. In second place by a large margin is Venezuela with 43 per 100,000 people. By comparison, the rate in the U.S. is currently close to 5 per 100,000 people.

Nevertheless, I’m not writing this article to give you an in-depth analysis of all the factors contributing to the violence that might cause a child to migrate. All I am offering is my personal experience: what I’ve lived through, what I’ve seen, and the stories of my friends, family, and those I serve. I wrote this article to help you understand why children arriving at our doorsteps need mercy, and why you should care. Should people in the United States share responsibility for the fact that the Honduran government is corrupt and the country overrun by drug lords? Should Americans take some responsibility for the fact that people’s lives are at risk in Honduras? It is noteworthy that the United States is the world’s largest consumer of cocaine and a major consumer of many other drugs. Every ounce snorted by Americans is tainted with the blood of innocent people that die because that garbage is trafficked through our land. However, that is just one factor, albeit a significant one, that drives violence in Honduras. Yet I believe that, if you are a follower of Christ, your reaction should not hinge on whether or not you had “anything to do with” causing the violence. Instead, if you are a follower of Christ, you should desire to be merciful like our Father is merciful.

God is not impressed with our lofty acts of sacrifice, or how often we go to church, or how many hours we spend in prayer. In Hosea 6:6, God tells us that he desires mercy, not sacrifice. Near and dear to God’s heart especially are the widow, the orphan, and the alien. James 6:27 explains that “pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” Moreover, Deuteronomy 10:18 says of God: “He executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and shows His love for the alien by giving him food and clothing.”

It is appalling to me that people in the church would remain silent in the face of such injustice and distress. It’s shocking to see people who claim to be followers of Christ traveling to the border to yell unwelcoming and insulting words at children. Many people come to me and say, “But they broke the law! Doesn’t God command us to obey our local authorities?” To answer that question, I look at the Bible and the U.S. legal system. While Romans 13 does command Christians to abide by the law, this commandment cannot be taken out of context. In all of history there have been laws all over the world that fall short or are contrary to God’s law. Let’s remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—three law breakers who refused to bow down to an egotistical king because it went against God’s command to worship no one aside from him. You cannot ignore God’s law simply to honor human-made laws.

Check back on Thursday, September 25, for part four of "A Call to Mercy". Click to read part one and part two. If you have questions about this blog series or for Killa, please contact Abi Koning, Communications Coordinator, at akoning@lsga.org.

"Even a Child Knows it's Better to Leave" - A Call to Mercy, Pt. 2

For two weeks,Honduran-born U.S. immigration attorney Killa M. will share her reflections on life in Honduras and on showing mercy to unaccompanied children in "A Call to Mercy", a four-part LSG blog series. To read part one, click here.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia.

As a grieving daughter, I know the horror that children coming to the U.S. from Central America are escaping. Through my work within the immigration field, I have heard stories from children who have come to the U.S. after seeing their mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and friends raped, beaten, and murdered.

I’ve listened to a young lady tell me how she heard her neighbors being hacked to death. The next morning, she found the pieces of their bodies stuffed into their old television set. Another young man recounted the story of his brother being beaten in the streets and ultimately killed in front of him because he refused to join a gang. One of my closest friends suffered the loss of her cousin, a bright young woman who was just starting med school. She was murdered after resisting a kidnapping attempt. Last year, while visiting my family members in Honduras, my sister received a death threat which forced us to go into hiding. We left the country the very next day. My brother, also an attorney, was constantly followed and harassed to the point where he feared for his life and came to the U.S. seeking asylum. One of my Honduran friends put his hopelessness into words: “I would rather have been born a dog in any other place than a man in this forsaken country.” In our country, no one knows, no one hears, no one investigates, and no one is held responsible.

Currently, people in Honduras endure levels of violence that people in the U.S. would not tolerate for even a single day. In 2008, three years prior to the attack that led to her death, my mother was shot, but she survived. After that attack, she hired a bodyguard, which served no purpose other than to add to the death toll that horrible November afternoon. Like her, many in Honduras who can afford to do so will hire bodyguards and buy bullet-proof vehicles, just like in a war zone, and hope for the best. It’s a sad sight to see a 12-year-old walking through the mall with her friends, followed by armed men in bullet-proof vests. What kind of life is that? And what about those who live in poverty, who can’t afford to keep their children safe? The violence doesn’t discriminate. It’s obvious; even a child know it’s better to leave.

Check back on Tuesday, September 23, for part three of "A Call to Mercy". To read part one, click here. If you have questions about this blog series or for Killa, please contact Abi Koning, Communications Coordinator, at akoning@lsga.org.

"I Am One of the Lucky Ones" - A Call to Mercy, Pt. 1

For the next two weeks, Honduran-born U.S. immigration attorney Killa M. will share her reflections on life in Honduras and on showing mercy to unaccompanied children in "A Call to Mercy", a four-part LSG blog series.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Lutheran Services of Georgia.

I came to the United States from Honduras on a student visa when I was 17 years old, just a month shy of my 18^th birthday. I wanted to get the best college education so I could return home and work in the Honduran tourism industry or perhaps at the “Cancillería” (Ministry of Foreign Affairs). I wanted a job that would allow me to share my country’s beauty and potential with the world.

My mother always reminded me that, after graduation, I was to return to Honduras and use my foreign-acquired skills to benefit my home country. However, a few weeks before she was murdered, while I was in my second year of law school, she told me something she had never said before: “Stay where you are. Don’t come back to this country. There is nothing left here for you.”

My mother, Judith Aleman Banegas, was a well-respected attorney. During her 30-year-long career as an attorney she successfully took on all kinds of cases, from child custody disputes to complex international business transactions. Anyone who knew my mother recognized that she possessed a brilliant legal mind. As a woman in a very chauvinist society, my mother was nevertheless able to excel and surpass most men in her field. Her intelligence was overshadowed only by her humility and kindness.

My mother loved nothing more than to help individuals with no access to the limited Honduran legal system. Consequently, she fought for the rights of low-income women and their children. She was the kind of person who would watch the evening news and be so moved by someone’s plight that she would call the news station and offer her services pro bono. She was a fierce advocate for transparency in the courts and was openly critical in the media about corrupt government officials who manipulated and abused the legal system.

To this day, I don’t know who killed my mother. I have no idea who ordered or paid to have her killed. All I know is that, on the afternoon of November 7, 2011, five heavily armed men intercepted her car. They killed my mother, her bodyguard and her secretary. My mother left me and my two siblings behind. Her bodyguard had two kids. Her secretary was a single mother of a 9-month-old baby girl.

If you feel bad for me, don’t. I am one of the lucky ones. I didn’t see my mother die. I didn’t hear her scream. I was never harassed or beaten. I didn’t have to walk the streets of my neighborhood wondering when my turn to die would come. Many of the children fleeing to the U.S. from Honduras are not as lucky as I am.

Check back on Thursday, September 18, for part two of "A Call to Mercy". If you have questions about this blog series or for Killa, please contact Abi Koning, Communications Coordinator, at akoning@lsga.org.

Jessie Visits Refugee Communities in New Delhi - Part 3

Jessie Griggs Burnette, a former LSG resettlement intern and current volunteer, recently spent time with refugees in New Delhi, India. Jessie is currently studying for her Master’s in Anthropology at Georgia State University. On our blog, Jessie is writing a three-part mini-series based on excerpts from her journal. Read her third post below.

Important Note: This trip to India was not for publishable research. This was a personal voyage to meet a group of people that I knew were in need of help and attention. This blog post is, literally, a glimpse into my personal diary. It isn’t meant for publication or academic use. It is simply a raw reflection of my experiences. I am often asked about my own feelings as I travel and work abroad. I feel that by sharing my own feelings and thoughts with the public, I may be able to convince others to take risks – to face their fears.  It is easier than one may think to travel, learn, and help. Everywhere I go, I am met by kind and generous people, always protecting and guiding me. Others can do the same.  I want to be a voice for those who can’t use their own. Sharing my personal experiences within a community waiting for resettlement is one way I can do so.

“As I sat surrounded by refugees, for a single moment, I had a fleeting thought. I stared into the small crowd, and felt like a false advertiser. I felt as if my simple presence was making a false promise that I couldn’t uphold. I felt sure that they thought I was there to deliver some good news or hope, and the truth is, I had no idea why I was there. I had no plan. I had delivered enough food to last the community a week, but I had no sustainable plan to offer.” Diary Excerpt- May 14 2014

Today, I have a plan. Action begins with an idea. The idea has been born, and the first steps of action have been taken. Together, with a team of dedicated and compassionate individuals, I am working to begin a foundation to educate refugee children while they wait for resettlement. Those in the refugee community know that this wait can be a long and grueling one. Our immediate scheme will focus on providing a private education for refugee children living in the city of New Delhi. The long term goal will be planned carefully, and implemented as a team of anthropologists and educators volunteer their time, working diligently and strategically on a very specific task of evaluating current programs that are active, yet struggling to succeed. We will work to identify the problems at hand, and focus on overcoming the issues that have been presented by the refugee community. The immediate goal is to identify and educate as many children as possible so that if and when resettlement occurs, they will find themselves prepared to enter an accredited school system. We have a very long term goal of creating a foundation that can support and sustain a school. The school will offer a targeted education, boasting language, history, science, math, and cultural relativism courses. These are lofty goals, but with time, collaboration, and dedication, we will have the tools needed to succeed. Until then, at the request of refugee mothers and fathers, we will sponsor children as they wait for their turn to live in a permanent home.

If you are interested in being a part of the team or donating to the cause. You may contact the author, Jessie Griggs Burnette, at jgriggsburnette@gmail.com.

Click to read part one and part two of Jessie's visit to New Delhi refugee communities.

How You Can Support Unaccompanied Children

This year, the United States anticipates that over 90,000 children will cross the border unaccompanied. The majority of these children are fleeing violence in the Central American countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.  Lutheran Services of Georgia has already been in communication with the Office of Refugee Resettlement regarding this humanitarian and refugee crisis. We recognize that these children are making a courageous, dangerous journey to escape desperate situations back home. Our commitment to serve those in need compels us to provide safety, care, and welcome for this vulnerable population. Our experience bringing hope, healing, and strength to children and families through specialized foster care and other programs prepares us to assist in any way we are asked.

In order to empower you  to join us in taking action, we have compiled the following list of ways you can support unaccompanied children. Please share this list with all those who have a heart for welcome.

LEARN: Supporting unaccompanied children begins with awareness of their situation. In the midst of so much misinformation and discrimination towards these children, spreading accurate information and compassionate perspectives on the crisis is crucial. Check out and share the following resources with those looking to learn more.

1. "It Was Either This or Be Murdered" - Bishop Michael Rinehart of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America reflects on his visit to a facility housing unaccompanied children.
2. "U.S. Religious Leaders Embrace Cause of Immigrant Children" - This piece from the New York Times examines the ways that religious leaders around the country are supporting unaccompanied children.
3. "LIRS, Partners Respond to Immigrant-Children Crisis" - This article from the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod emphasizes over 45 Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service  (LIRS) partners that are providing care and services for unaccompanied children.
4. LIRS Responds to Crisis at the Border: Lutheran Immigration and Refuge Service's website includes FAQs and reports about the crisis, along with opportunities for action.
5. "Our Journey to Children at the Border" - Rev. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director of ELCA Congregational and Synodical Mission,  shares his experience visiting unaccompanied children along the border.
6. "Everything You Need to Know About the Child and Family Migrant Crisis" - This frequently updated piece from Vox will answer several of your questions related to the crisis.
7. "Children on the Run" - This United Nations report is based on 400 interviews with unaccompanied alien children and provides a comprehensive analysis on the reasons they are fleeing Central America.

GIVE: There are several organizations reaching out to unaccompanied children, but they need your support. Here are two possibilities for giving.

1. Give to Lutheran Disaster Response by listing "Unaccompanied Children" as your designated gift. All donations will go directly towards supporting unaccompanied children.
2. Give to Kids in Need of Defense, an organization that provides unaccompanied children with legal representation to argue their cases.
3. Give to help LIRS support children, advocate for all immigrants, and support newly arrived refugees.

WELCOME: LSG is committed to welcoming unaccompanied children. Join us in welcome.

1. Become a Household of Welcome. LIRS's Households of Welcome provide a community-based alternative to detention for unaccompanied children and migrant families.
2. Write a Letter. They Are Children is collecting compassionate and encouraging letters to welcome unaccompanied children to the U.S.

ADVOCATE: Policies have a direct impact on the lives of these children. Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services offers a number of advocacy opportunities on their website.

1. Join the #ActofLove campaign and ask Congress to respond to unaccompanied children with humanitarian solutions.
2. Contact your representatives through the LIRS Action Center.

• Ask the government not to expedite deportations.
• Treat this as a refugee crisis.
• Request Congress to allocate $3.7 million in emergency supplemental funds.
• Ask Congress not to revoke the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act that protects children at the border.

PRAY: Support unaccompanied children through prayer.

1. The Bible includes several passages about flight and welcoming the stranger. Consider reading the flight into Egypt, Moses in the basket, the Good Samaritan, or the parable of the Sheep and the Goats.
2. World Vision wrote a prayer for the children, government, and aid organizations during this crisis.
3. Sing this new hymn inspired by the unaccompanied children crisis.

If you would like to suggest another resource or share a personal story of supporting unaccompanied children, please contact Abi Koning at akoning@lsga.org. Thank you for joining us in welcome.

Jessie Visits Refugee Communities in New Delhi - Part 2

Jessie Griggs Burnette, a former LSG resettlement intern and current volunteer, recently spent time with refugees in New Delhi, India. Jessie is currently studying for her Master’s in Anthropology at Georgia State University. On our blog, Jessie is writing a three-part mini-series based on excerpts from her journal. Read her second post below.

Important Note: This trip to India was not for publishable research. This was a personal voyage to meet a group of people that I knew were in need of help and attention. This blog post is, literally, a glimpse into my personal diary. It isn’t meant for publication or academic use. It is simply a raw reflection of my experiences. I am often asked about my own feeling as I travel and work abroad. I feel that by sharing my own feelings and thoughts with the public, I may be able to convince others to take risks – to face their fears.  It is easier than one may think to travel, learn, and help. Everywhere I go, I am met by kind and generous people, always protecting and guiding me. Others can do the same.  I want to be a voice for those who can’t use their own. Sharing my personal experiences within a community waiting for resettlement is one way I can do so.

As the refugee leader directs my driver through the streets of New Delhi, I try to refrain from imagining where I am headed. I want to go without expectation of what is to come. I know I am being taken to a place my new friend has described in a way that sounds nothing less than devastating. This will be a very different scene than the one I had encountered the previous day. According to my guide (a refugee himself), these refugees are relatively new arrivals. Working scarce and dangerous night jobs in the city, they have very limited resources. He had asked me to visit them so that someone "on the outside" would know they existed.

I tell myself to go without a vision of what is to come. I somehow feel my actions will be more genuine upon arrival if this is the approach I take. Why this matters, I am not sure. Even though I am not here for official work or research, the anthropologist within me wants to remain as neutral as possible as I enter this community of displaced people for the first time. As our car turns off the pavement onto a dirt road, I catch my first glimpse of the makeshift tent homes. I had previously seen images like this from afar and from photos given to me by refugee friends living in official UNHCR camps. However, the reality of being in the scene first-hand comes with new responsibility. As I strain my eyes to see what is ahead, my informant tells the driver to stop the car. The road is too rutted to drive down.

As I approached the camp on foot, I am not aware of what I expected. I had tried to eliminate all expectations. Even if I had allowed myself to imagine the circumstances,  I couldn't have dreamed up anything close to the reality of the situation. This camp is unofficial. It was constructed with donated funds and arranged by other refugees with (somewhat) more stability. Inside, the individuals struggle to survive. What I find is senseless suffering.

As I stand among the Rohingya refugees, I do a quick assessment of myself. I am unsure of what I am feeling. I feel astonished, uncomfortable, sad, angry, and most of all I feel confused. One moment I am in a home with beautiful marble walls and floors, sipping tea and enjoying biscuits, and the next I am surrounded by suffering, hunger, and hopelessness. As a graduate student studying anthropology, I am all too aware of the social inequalities and structures leading to these types of scenarios. I am also hyperaware of my own culturally constructed expectations and biases. And yet, in the moment, all of these structures make me very angry. I am bewildered. I find myself searching for the human factor in all of this. I wonder how human beings can cause others to suffer in such a devastating manner.

I see desperate mothers, fathers, and babies. There are about 15 children of staggered age and height gathered around me with their mothers. I once again recognize the familiar faces and traditional clothing from my work with refugees back in Clarkston, Georgia. My friend had stopped to buy chocolates for the children on the way over. He passes me the bag of candy. I distribute them to the children first who wait patiently with wide eyes and eager smiles for their turn. Some of the outstretched hands are so tiny that I can barely fit two chocolates inside. I stuff as many pieces as I can into their little palms. After the children have a few candies each, I share them with the women. They smile kindly and I wonder what they are thinking.

As I distribute chocolates, I look down a very short and dusty tent-lined lane. The tiny vinyl village is constructed of tarps and bamboo. I immediately wonder what will happen when the monsoon season arrives. It is quickly approaching. How will they possibly stay dry? Belongings hang from the canvas walls, elevated from the dirt floors inside the smoldering hot shelters. I am told that 34 people are living here. From what I can see, many of them are children, pregnant women, and people in obvious need of medical care. The tarps are strung together in a way that resembles a makeshift motel, the wall of one room supporting the next. One larger room stands separately and has a rug-lined floor. This, I learn, is the church that doubles as a school house. This building catches my eye as I am invited in by the pastor. I accept the invitation and follow the community leaders inside. The rest of the camp residents flow in after us. With the help of two translators, taking us across three languages, we discuss the inequalities faced by the Rohingya population on a daily basis. I listen most of the time as folks take turns talking around me. They eagerly share a laundry list of problems in hopes of someone outside listening: discrimination, poverty, hunger, beatings, robberies, sexual assault, rape, lack of shelter, etc. Of all these issues that need to be dealt with, the families say they first want education for their children. One seemingly strong lady speaks up and asks me to please help them find a way to educate their children. Through a translator, she tells me, "Everything else, we will figure out, but education, we cannot properly provide."

The unofficial meeting comes to a close. As we depart, I help an elderly lady off the ground. Her breathing is labored and her arms are as thin as an infant's. She is weak and weathered. I make an assumption that is later confirmed; she is suffering from the final stages of TB. I say goodbye with a smile. As I climb back into the air-conditioned auto, I pull my sunglasses close to my cheeks to catch the tears that I can no longer fight back. I have never felt a sense of helplessness quite like this. My thoughts turn to their home country of Burma and envision the larger scene of turmoil there. The political and structural violence is powerful and prominent. I wonder if they will ever know peace and comfort again.

For part three of Jessie's visit to New Delhi refugee communities, visit our blog on August 12. Click here to read part one.

The Case of the Al Khazraji Family

By Deidre Harrison, Program Manager of Refugee Services in Savannah

Can a case file truly tell you the story of a life? Last year, Lutheran Services of Georgia prepared to receive a family of three that was living in Lebanon after fleeing their home country of Iraq. Although the story found in their case file, rife with violence and war, resembled the stories of many LSG clients, the Al Khazraji family was unique. The family’s employment history included a detailed account of the artistic and professional skills that both Sarmad and his wife Nemat acquired overseas. While living in Iraq, Sarmad studied film and theatre and Nemat earned a degree in fashion design. Sarmad directed plays and brought international scripts to his beloved theatre in Baghdad. During the Iraq wars, he received awards for short documentaries highlighting the effects of war on civilians. Sarmad approached his career with an open mind and a desire to welcome strangers from different countries.

In August 2013, LSG resettled Sarmad, Nemat, and their 8-year-old son Nadim in Savannah. At the time, the Iraqi community was still budding and many families found social adjustment very challenging. Yet Sarmad’s enthusiasm to help others and build friendships with local residents made him a role model to other Iraqi clients. With special consideration by LSG staff, the Al Khazraji family agreed to become the first refugee family resettled on Wilmington Island, a small community that had amenities but no refugee community. Both the agency and the Al Khazraji family took a risk that produced exemplary results, showcasing the power of community integration. Nadim excelled at May Howard Elementary School in his first three months and quickly made friends within and outside of the ESOL program. Sarmad befriended local artists at Savannah’s famous City Market. Within three months of arrival, Sarmad and Nemat both accepted jobs at Kroger where they work rotating shifts to mitigate childcare.

After their resettlement, the Al Khazraji family overcame challenges that many refugee families encounter. They learned to read and write in English by attending Savannah Technical College’s ESL classes and practicing with their son. They overcame the Savannah heat and sand gnats by learning to use sunscreen and bug spray. Most importantly, Sarmad and Nemat invested their personal time to help other refugees learn how to adapt to their new lives. In 2014, Sarmad and his wife have already assisted LSG staff with public transportation orientations and provided social support to new families resettled on Wilmington Island.

Drawing on his passion for art and film, Sarmad hopes to film a documentary about how refugees’ lives are positively transformed. He hopes that his talents can be used to communicate the shared hope of many people. Clearly, the case of the Al Khazraji family has yet to be closed.

LSG Selected to Pilot Refugee Employment Mentoring Program

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) recently selected Lutheran Services of Georgia to pilot the Refugee Employment Mentoring Program with Higher, LIRS’s national employment initiative. LSG was selected from among 23 resettlement offices across the nation because of its commitment to employment security for refugees and its tradition of welcome.

The Refugee Employment Mentoring Program aims to accomplish two goals: to support long-term career advancement for refugees and to deepen social connections between refugees and their communities. LSG will match 30 mentors with 30 refugees who will commit to weekly meetings for at least three months. The mentor will act as a job coach, equipping the refugee to develop skills, identify long-term career goals, and create a plan to reach those goals.

Through mentoring relationships, refugees receive the opportunity to expand their social networks. Upon arrival in Georgia, refugees often face significant barriers to community integration. Language skills and difficulties navigating the institutions and customs of a new culture can leave refugees vulnerable to marginalization. This program connects refugees and long-term local residents who can work together to build a more cohesive and vibrant community.

LSG currently operates refugee resettlement programs in both Atlanta and Savannah. In the 2013 fiscal year, LSG resettled 461 refugees and provided services in employment, social adjustment, and information and referral to 1,371 refugees. The Refugee Employment Mentoring Program will allow LSG to provide additional support for clients to achieve economic self-sufficiency and become fully integrated in their communities. At the end of the project year, all findings will be compiled into a report that can offer guidance for other sites interested in pursuing a similar mentorship model.

For more information on the Refugee Employment Mentoring Program, contact Melanie Johnson at mjohnson@lsga.org or 678-686-9619. Visit www.lsga.org to learn more about Lutheran Services of Georgia.