Our New Neighbors Newsletter

September 2009 - Volume 3, Issue 6

Tracy Kuchan heads up new resettlement office in Bismarck
The reopening of the Bismarck, ND resettlement program is underway with the arrival of Tracy Kuchan as Bismarck Resettlement Coordinator. Tracy has been busy contacting area congregations, community organizations and individuals as preparations are made for the arrival of refugees to Bismarck soon. Expectations are that arrivals to Bismarck will be joining family members already present in the community. Projections for Bismarck are that there will be 20 individuals resettled in the first year of the program.

Tracy and the director of New American Services, Sinisa Milovanovic, met with Mayor John Warford on August 26th. Mayor Warford expressed support for the reopening of the resettlement program, stating that Bismarck is a wonderful community to live and work and that refugees can do well as they begin their lives in the U.S.

Resettlement in a community always includes appeals for donations of household items and volunteers to connect with refugee families. If you would be interested in learning more about the program and how you can be a part of the welcome to Bismarck, please contact Tracy.

Tracy Kuchan
New American Services Resettlement Coordinator
Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota
1616 Capitol Way
Bismarck, ND 58501
Phone: 701-223-1510

tkuchan@lssnd.org

Project Boaz 2009 Wraps Up
Bikes needed for 2010 Event

Members of Salem Evangelical Free Church welcomed staff of New American Services to a celebratory picnic at the home of one of its members. Although it was a rainy evening, keeping us all inside, a barbecue was enjoyed by all present.

Suzanne Remito from Episcopal Migration Ministries and Susan Gundlach from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services attended the event as part of the monitoring visit they were conducting of the North Dakota Resettlement Program. The collaborative effort between four congregations (Salem, Bethel, Shiloh and Olivet Lutheran), F-M Community Bike Workshop, the Fargo and West Fargo Police Departments, and New American Services was an indicator of the community support refugee resettlement receives in our area. LIRS and EMM expressed the appreciation of the National Voluntary Agencies by presenting certificates to the participants present.

Evaluation and planning ahead for the Bike Give-Away, also known as Project Boaz, provided new insights for 2010. Recognized by everyone is the need to collect bikes throughout the Spring of 2010. There were approximately 80 bikes donated, restored and distributed this year, down from 140 in 2008. The hope of all involved is that Project Boaz 2010 can be as large or larger.

North Dakota State Refugee Coordinator Retires

State Refugee Coordinator, Linda Schell, announced her retirement effective the end of August. Linda has served in the position of State Refugee Coordinator for the past ten years. Community members and staff of New American Services who were privileged to work with Linda express thier appreciation for Linda's compassion and caring for refugees who came to North Dakota, as well as her support for services provided to the refugees by the service providers. Linda was a true advocate for New Americans and will be greatly missed.

No room in your garage?

Is your closet overflowing?

Tired of paying for a storage unit?

We've got the answer to your "too much stuff" dilemma.

Help newly arrived refugees furnish their first apartment in American by donating your gently used furniture and household goods to the New Americans resettlement program.

Refugees who have fled war and persecution often arrive with nothing more than a change of clothes and hope for a brighter future. New American Services helps these families furnish their modest apartments with the items they need to begin their new life.

It's easy to donate. Just call one of the contacts listed below for infomation about where to drop off items or how to arrange for pick up. All donations are tax deductible.

We are especially in need of:

Kitchen table & chairs
Dressers
Lamps
Towels
Kitchen and cooking items
Baby supplies
Cleaning supplies
Paper supplies

Organize a Garage Sale

You can also help by organizing your neighborhood, church or community group to host a garage sale and donate the proceeds to purchase resettlement items that are needed, but rarely donated.

For more information contact:

Tracy in Bismarck at (701) 223-1510

Julie in Fargo at (701) 271-1606

Dawne in Grand Forks at (701) 772-8552

Pangea - Cultivate Our Cultures
November 14, 2009 - 10 AM to 4 PM
Heritage Hjemkomst Center
201 1st Avenue N., Moorhead, MN

Celebrate our community's traditions and cultures at this multi-ethnic showcase of music, dance, culinary arts, and children's activities. Handmade items and ethnic foods will be available.
If you are interested in displaying information about your culture, bringing items for sale or simply volunteering , call Darci at 701-235-7341 or email at dasche@lssnd.org