WTAP Newsletter - February 2021

People Get Ready!

By Mike Sullivan, Agency Director

You’ve seen the headlines. US refugee resettlement will return to previous levels. The current administration aims to expand refugee resettlement and improve elements of the program. Not really an expansion, but a return to who we used to be.

Correspondingly, WTAP, in collaboration with partners and volunteers, will ready for refugees with a commitment to not just help refugees settle but instead to help them flourish! A few things to know as we rally for refugee arrivals . . .

Refugees - let’s remember who and why we welcome. Refugees flee for safety. They have no other choice. As we’d wish in a similar situation, they want to return home but they cannot. Genocide, civil war, religious persecution, trafficking, child ensoldierment. With a return home not safely possible, refugees are forced to live their life in refugee camp tents or instead can resettle to another country, one not necessarily of their choosing. True, refugees do not choose us. We choose them, inviting them to resettle in a purely humanitarian gesture. Refugees arrive with a single suitcase to a place they have never been with a language they may not know and are asked to be self-sufficient, paying for their own food and housing within six months. Why do we help? Simply put, because our fellow humans need assistance and we are all in position to help. Time, talent, furnishings, funds. We are all a part of the welcome.

Reconstruction - it will take some time to rebuild the US refugee program, decimated by budget cuts and reduced personnel. Once rebuilt, refugees will resettle!

Reunification - a primary focus will be to unify split families. Can you imagine being a parent who had to leave your adult children in camp, considered separate cases? Or being a young widow with child whose parents and siblings have not yet arrived? These are the very real concerns that are hoped will soon be rectified.

Reclassification - Some of the criteria for refugee classification has been altered in the past few years. We expect to settle refugees from more countries, some previously banned. We can expect a focus on humanitarian criteria. In the previous few years, we resettled LESS refugees than allowed, not finding enough who met the strict criteria. With humanitarian standards, we’ll welcome more new neighbors.

Reflourishment - But what about those already here, their journey setback by the pandemic. How about if we get them computers to seek jobs and build skills. Let’s decrease transportation barriers by sharing bikes, freedom for the newly freed. Let’s share kits - hygiene, cleaning, warm welcome - so that refugees do not have to choose between soup and soap. Let’s share sewing machines, handyperson tools, musical instruments, soccer gear, and more, helping former refugee passions to become pursuits once again, an expression of self. And best of all, let’s share the gift of local (English) language, aspiring that newly-arrived refugees will be greeted by already resettled refugees, fluent in English!

WTAP Readiness - As the year progresses, expect new programs, more need for volunteers, expanded warehouse gigs, unique kit requests, focused funding pursuits, directed drives, and lots, lots more, all part of our people-get-ready initiatives.

Yes, we “R” all a part of the welcomes. What role do you play?

Welcome New WTAP Interns!

We welcome two new ASU interns who know the journey. Anisa and Deng will be with us this semester with a focus on the ASU/WTAP language initiative, Learn English Now. They will serve as language mentors, coaching refugees to learn English and coaching coaches to do the same.

Deng arrived from Sudan as a refugee and elementary school child, having to quickly learn English. He is now set to graduate from ASU next year, with an Exercise & Wellness major and aspirations to be a physical therapist and/or athletic trainer.

Anisa’s mother arrived as a refugee from Somalia. A first-generation American, Anisa is in the ASU Teachers College with an Early Childhood & Special Education major. Her goal is to teach special education.

What better way to welcome than to welcome with language? Who better to help lead the program than those familiar with the challenges and the benefits of mastering the local language?!

Yes, we are all a part of the welcome and sometimes refugees welcome refugees.

Volunteer Opportunity

ASU/WTAP Learn English Now Facilitators

Do you or someone you know want to help teach English to refugees (virtually)? All teaching will take place online. You need not speak another language.

The Welcome to America Project (WTAP) and Arizona State University (ASU) are piloting an Arizona-focused partnership under ASU’s Education for Humanity initiative. Anyone 18+ can volunteer, not just ASU students and not just AZ residents. E4H works globally, in collaboration with on-the-ground partners, to improve access to education for refugees through provision of a variety of online programs ranging from English-language training to entrepreneurship to academic coursework. ASU/WTAP will offer a blended learning model that combines digital learning tools with in-person (virtual) support through our many volunteers. The objective of our program is to support the current English-language learning efforts in the refugee and refugee resettlement community. Our approach is designed to be inclusive - - refugees, resettlement agencies, ethnic community-based organizations, faith-based entities, language-learning organizations, schools, etc. are all eligible to enroll participants as a supplement to existing programs or independent of such programs. Everything we do to accelerate language skills will ultimately enhance refugee integration and success.

To learn more about the program and the role of volunteer facilitators, please email your name and phone number to rsvp@wtap.org. We are all a part of the welcome. Let’s help refugees to talk about it in English.

VISTA Position

Now Open!

April 2021 Start Date

We’ll welcome with words and a bright new VISTA. Americorps @americorps has posted for a VISTA to support our fantastic new initiative with Arizona State University (ASU) @arizonastateuniversity.

The Welcome to America Project (WTAP) and ASU are piloting a partnership under ASU’s Education for Humanity program. E4H works globally, in collaboration with on-the-ground partners, to improve access to education for refugees through provision of a variety of on-line programs ranging from English language training to entrepreneurship to academic coursework. ASU/WTAP will offer a blended learning model that combines digital learning tools with in-person (virtual) support through our many volunteers. The objective of our program is to support the current English-language learning efforts in the refugee and refugee resettlement community. Our approach is designed to be inclusive - - refugees, resettlement agencies, ethnic community based organizations, faith-based entities, language-learning organizations, schools, etc. are all eligible to enroll participants as a supplement to existing programs or independent of such programs. Everything we do to accelerate language skills will ultimately enhance refugee integration and success. We are all a part of the welcome. A VISTA will certainly improve our view.

Please visit our website for more information and/or forward this post to potential candidates.

Corporate & Foundation Donors

January 2021

Brophy College Preparatory Annual Turkey Drive

CVS Health Foundation

In-Kind Donors

January 2021

Bike Saviours

National Charity League

Ahwatukee Foothills Chapter

Umbrella Tech Services

Visit our Website to see a complete list of our Supporters!

WAREHOUSE NEEDS

Due to limited space, we can only accept the items listed below at this time. Please drop off at the WTAP warehouse on T/W/Th/Sa from 8 AM - 11 AM. Thank you!

Urgent Kits

Help refugees by donating items for Cleaning Kits, Food Kits and Hygiene Kits! Learn more on our website!

Clothing (clean, good condition)

Jackets/Sweatshirts

Pull-Up Diapers (Size 5 and 6)

Furniture

Kitchen Chairs

Small Kitchen Tables

Chest of Drawers

Nightstands

Coffee Tables

Side Tables