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March 2010 - Volume 4, Issue 2

Building Bridges_May Conference

 NEEDED: DONATED BIKES FOR NEW AMERICANS

Refugees who come to our community because of religious, political or ethnic persecution in their home countries face many challenges in adjusting to life in the United States. 
 
One of those challenges is transportation. Bicycles are a valuable form of transportation for people who don't have driver's licenses, can't afford a car or the price of gas even if they have a license and don't want to expend their limited financial resources on bus fares if they don't have too. Adult refugees will use bikes to go to classes, go to work; go to medical appointments, etc. Refugee kids will use bikes just like all other kids use bikes. Kids are kids.
 
Our facilities for refurbishing bikes are very limited, so bikes that are in good condition and require little or no refurbishing are preferred.  But we're ready and able to fix flat tires, oil, adjust and clean up a bike to make it ready to roll.
 
About 130 bikes for adults and 65 bikes for kids are needed.
 
This year's partnership of three churches: Olivet Lutheran, Salem Evangelical Free and Bethel Evangelical Free are combining efforts to gather and fix bikes. 
 
Contact information: If you have a good used bike to donate, please email [email protected]
 
Bikes can be dropped off at Olivet Lutheran Church, 1330 South University Drive, Fargo, on Saturday, March 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m, and again on Saturday, March 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
If an alternative plan needs to be made to accommodate the donation of bikes, please call Darci at 701-271-1604 or email at [email protected].
 
Distribution of the bikes will occur on Wednesday, May 19 at Lutheran Social Services of ND, 1325 11th Street South, beginning at 5 p.m.
Bismarck Resettlement Updated News:
 Bismarck has resettled their 13th client. An individual from the Ukraine arrived on  2/14/10!  She joined her sister living in rural North Dakota. Their parents will arrive soon, and they will then settle in Bismarck. Tracy Kuchen, Bismarck Resettlement Coordinator, is helping all the arrivals locate employment. 
 
The goal for resettlement in Bismarck for FY2010 is 20 individuals.
 
Wonderful Church involvement in Grand Forks
New American Services in Grand Forks is very fortunate to have many churches involved with volunteer opportunities, donations and fundraising for our new and existing clients.  
 
Faith Evangelical Free Church is a church that knows what it means to give of oneself freely. This church has opened its doors to all faiths to come and gather for worship. It is not unusual to see people from Iraq, Sudan and Bhutan at "church" on Sunday morning worshipping along side the other members of E-Free. Last summer a congregation member donated a used car to the NAS program, it was then given to a young couple who were very appreciative. Dawne Barwin, NAS Resettlement Coordinator in Grand Forks,  received yet another call from a congregation member wishing to donate a used mini-van to NAS. Wow!  
 
In January, Dawne received a call from the pastor at E-Free saying the congregation had been collecting a free will offering in December and they were ready to apply the money to the purchase of new beds for the next new arrivals. Dawne told him that new beds are a much needed item for new arrivals because the cost for a new family is rather large, this donation will be a big help. He continued that the offering total was $7014.  What a glorious gift.
 
Dawne says, "After I finally came to my senses, I said, 'You can't out give God.'  The pastor responded, 'Amen'".

 
Building Bridges_May Conference 
 
BUILDING BRIDGES CONFERENCE
April 20-21, 2010/Hilton Garden Inn, Fargo...
 
The Building Bridges Conference is held annually to provide information and technical support to communities to aid in the delivery of services to refugees and other immigrants.
 
Presented by New American Services, a program of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, this conference will provide answers to many questions: how does someone become a refugee, what is life like in a refugee camp, who is allowed to come to the United States and why, what happens once they come to our communities?
 
The 2010 Building Bridges Conference will focus on topics like:
* Volunteering and mentoring with New Americans families
* Refugee students and families
* Refugee health and well-being
* The lives of refugees; before, during and after
 
Who Should Attend?
Community leaders interested in learning about programs around the country that encourage the full potential of New Americans for civic engagement and economic development.
 
* Educators and tutors wanting to know more about the individuals they work with in their English language learning programs.
 
* Health care professionals seeking ways to develop, fund, manage and implement programs for refugees that promote good physical health
 
* Mental Health professionals interested in the development and implementation of community mental health modalities of improving or maintaining good mental health in the refugee community.
 
* Volunteers, mentors, and others wishing to learn about the resettlement program, the refugees and the services provided in our communities.
 
* Employers seeking to diversify their workplace.
 
Please call Darci Asche at 701-271-1604 to receive registration information.
 

Sponsored and Hosted by:
* New American Services, a program
  of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota
* N.D. Department of Human Services
* N.D. Department of Public Instruction
* City of Fargo Human Relations

  
 
Donate Now
 
 Your financial support
helps refugees to start
a new life in the
United States.
Thank you!
Arrival Statistics
Listed below are the final numbers for the Federal Fiscal Year.
 
New American Services in North Dakota has welcomed a total of 228 individuals since October 1, 2009.  
 
New refugess have arrived from:

Afghanistan -1
Bhutan - 102 
Burma - 3 
Ethiopia - 1
Congo - 22 
Iran - 2 
Iraq - 61
Lebanon - 2
Rwanda - 9 
Sierra Leone - 3 
Somalia - 19 
Sudan - 2 
Ukraine - 1                
 
Individuals resettled in each community:
 
Fargo
- 129
West Fargo - 20
Bismarck - 13
Moorhead - 2
Grand Forks - 61
 
 
LSS Vertical 125x125 logo
New Amercian Services
is a program of
Lutheran Social Services
of North Dakota
 
Sinisa Milovanovic,
Director
(701) 271-1636 [email protected] 
 
Darci Asche, Community Support Supervisor
(701) 271-1604 [email protected] 
 
Dawne Barwin,
Grand Forks Refugee Resettlement Office
(701) 772-8552
 
Tracy Kuchan, Bismarck Refugee Resettlement Office(701) 223-1510
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Guided by God's love and grace, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota brings healing, help and hope.