Our New Neighbors

December 2011--Volume 5, Issue 3   

Community Conversations -  

Welcome and Belonging    

by Darci Asche 

     

On a beautiful fall day in late September, members of the Fargo/West Fargo/Moorhead community gathered with guests from Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) from Baltimore, MD, to have a conversation about "Welcome."

 

As part of a new strategic plan, LIRS intends to conduct 12 of these community conversations across the United States in 2011 and 2012. Their goal is to hear from each community what welcome looks and feels like. New American Services in Fargo was the second such conversation to occur; the first being in Philadelphia a week before. Check out www.lirscc.org.

 

We gathered at small, four-person tables, brightly decorated with colorful tablecloths, vases of flowers, sticky note pads and a small hand-held game for each participant. We were asked to contemplate the concept of "welcome", and what it meant to each of us. How we receive it; how we give it.

comcon2011 - new american services

The drawing was done by Sue Keely, a graphic recorder who completed it during the discussion at the Community Conversation event on Sept. 30. http://www.suekeely.com  

 

The conversation quickly turned to another term, "Belonging." Caliton, a former refugee from Burundi, told us, "I was well-served by my case manager. She did her job in providing for me and my family the short welcome. When I met my church family and became connected to them, it was then that we experienced the long welcome. Luma told of being able to speak English when she came, and how it was taken for granted that her family could survive easily, but it wasn't just being able to ask the questions; it was knowing who to ask.

 

Another participant, not a refugee but someone who came to the Midwest to serve an internship, talked of not really knowing where she belonged. That comment sparked a lot of reflection and comment.

 

Welcomed or not welcomed, it's belonging that really matters.

 

Kevin, a strong supporter of the resettlement program and a wonderful volunteer, said in an email this week, "I hope all of you find the way that is right for you to be involved with new Americans in Fargo. Betsy and I learn so much from our friendships with them and the many people they have introduced us to. We learn about their countries, customs, and their views on America, but we also learn about the American social service system (or lack thereof at times); we see the educational system through different eyes; we see the organization of work, life and family in completely new ways. And while it might look like we give up a lot of time to support families, we are energized by the work and inspired by the people we have met. We always know that the time spent with our new American friends is time well spent."

 

So, the question that we are left with is, how do we make sure that people feel not just welcomed to our community, but also that they belong? Resettlement agency staff, service providers, volunteers and others have been asking that question for the last couple of months. Connecting newcomers with members of the community who would be their friend as well as their guide is one way. The New American Services program of of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota will be working on that over the next several months. If you're interested in joining us as a mentor, community development volunteer, family mentor, english language learners' (ELL) tutor, please check out the Lutheran Social Services of ND website, www.lssnd.org and register under the Get Involved tab. We'll be looking for you.

My Intern Experience

by Marisa Gonzalez, Social Work Intern  

and a student at Minnesota State University Moorhead 

 

Marisa intern - new american servicesInterning at the New American Services program of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota has taught me so much, and I personally feel that the experience has given me a great professional advantage towards my future. One reason that I feel this way is the large and diverse population that I am able to interact with, work with and learn from. Not only are there many nationalities and religions, but the people also vary from the young to elderly, single or married, no children to many children. The variations lead to more interactions with community service providers, and a greater knowledge of the world and its differences overall. However, providing services to the clients themselves is what truly makes for a rewarding and inspiring experience.

 

Another reason that makes me feel this internship has given me an advantage is through observing and learning from the many knowledgeable and hard-working employees at this agency. Every individual here has truly shown me in some way what hard work and dedication really are. There may be many clients and a lot of work to do, but time after time I see as much as possible being done for each individual. For these and many other reasons I am proud to say that I am a part of this agency, and I look forward to the rest of my time here.

An opportunity to help refugee children  

transition to independent living  

 

An unaccompanied refugee minor is a refugee youth age 18 or younger who arrives in the United States without a parent or legal guardian. The minors are placed in foster care until they can be reunited with family or reach the age when they can live independently. Unaccompanied refugee minors come from various countries around the world. New American Services, a program of Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota, currently has 42 unaccompanied refugee minors in foster care.

 

Upon reaching the age of 18, the youth can voluntarily leave the foster care program. They can also choose to remain in the program as long as they continue to participate in an educational system. Many have gone to universities and colleges, graduated and entered the professional world.

 

As the children either get older or choose to leave the program, New American Services offers Independent Living Skills, helping the youth to acquire self-sufficiency skills to help prepare them to live independently.

    

The agency's role also includes helping to set up a new living environment with in the limited resources for a new apartment. Three youth will be transitioning to independent living between December 2011 and February 2012. The following items would be most appreciated if you would like to donate:

 

  

 Kitchen tables and chairs

 Couches, living room chairs, love seats

 Dressers

 Lamps

 

 

 

Please call Darci at 701-271-1604 or email her at [email protected] 

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New American Services

Donate to New American Services

 Your financial support
helps refugees to start
a new life in the
United States.
Thank you!   
save the date - front - new american services
Save the dates 
April 3-4, 2012

Building Bridges Conference
2012

Holiday Inn, Fargo, ND

This two-day confrerence is designed to bring together service providers, educators and community leaders who work with refugee families. Speaker and workshops will include the topics of health, integration in community and education.


Click here for information!

 

For more information contact:
Darci Asche
701-271-1604 or [email protected]

 

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Arrival Statistics

North Dakota has gotten off to a robust start for the first quarter of the federal fiscal year, which began on Oct. 1, 2011. Following a decrease in arrivals from 470 in FY-2010 to 354 in FY-2011, it felt good to be anticipating the arrivals from overseas.

  

There were 83 arrivals in October. 2011, 27 in November and 38 in December, for a total of 148. 

 

New refugess have arrived from:

Bhutan - 115 (78%)
Somalia - 16 (11%)
Congo
- 9 (6%)
Iraq - 6 (4%)  
Sudan - 2 (1%)

Individuals resettled in each community:

Fargo
- 104
Grand Forks - 44  

Additionally, five unaccompanied refugee minors have arrived since Oct. 1.

 
Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota
New American Services

Sinisa Milovanovic
Director
Fargo 701-271-1636 [email protected]  

 

Darci Asche
Community Support Supervisor
Fargo 701-271-1604 [email protected] 

Tara Dupper
Grand Forks Refugee
Resettlement Office  
701-772-8552 [email protected]   

 

Tracy Kuchan
Bismarck Refugee Resettlement Office
701-223-1510
Guided by God's love and grace, Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota brings healing, help and hope.