Welcoming Refugees to a Brighter Future in Kansas City
by Kristen Maxwell, Refugee Resettlement Director
I never thought I would be back writing articles for the Adelante Express, but it is wonderful to share with you today. Since I left Mission Adelante in 2017, I have stayed connected with the refugee and immigrant communities, working with Catholic Charities for about a year and then with the KCK School District for four years as an ESL Teacher. When Jarrett called me with the opportunity to join the work of Mission Adelante again in a new capacity, it didn't take long for me to say yes. I am excited to partner with World Relief as we welcome new Americans to Kansas City.
A photo from my first trimester with Mission Adelante, March 2010!
The world is facing one of the most significant displacement crises in history. Over 117 million people have been forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, and other catastrophes. And with the current conflict in the Middle East, I imagine that number will keep growing. Among the displaced are nearly 29 million people formally identified as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees. The scale of this crisis is mind-boggling. It would be about the equivalent of 20 people leaving everything behind each minute to escape war, persecution, or terror.
A person identified as a refugee has fled their home and country because of "a well-founded fear of persecution due to his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion." The United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention set this criteria. The US has a rich history of resettling refugees, as far back as 1948, when the first law explicitly addressing refugee admissions was implemented due to individuals fleeing the aftermath of World War 2.
But sadly, only a fraction of the 29 million people identified as refugees will have the opportunity to rebuild their lives through resettlement. In 2020, less than 1% of the world's recognized refugees were resettled, leaving many languishing in protracted displacement, vulnerable to exploitation and despair. Refugee resettlement is a lifeline for those who have no other options. It's a chance for children to receive an education, for families to access healthcare, and for individuals to regain their dignity and self-sufficiency.
We are excited to expand resettlement in Kansas City and extend a welcome to refugees. We will join the organizations already doing great work with refugee resettlement in Kansas City, including our long-time partner, Catholic Charities. And on the Missouri side, Della Lamb and Jewish Vocational Services.
The overarching umbrella of Refugee Resettlement could include many programs as it grows, but we are starting with the Reception and Placement program(R&P). R&P offers newly arrived refugees a structured 90-day period of support as they adapt to life in the United States. This program provides essential services such as securing safe and furnished housing, initial financial assistance for basic needs, access to medical care and vaccinations, cultural orientation, assistance with documentation like Social Security numbers, job placement services, enrollment in English language classes, and connections to community resources. The goal of the R&P program is to empower refugees to rebuild their lives, become self-sufficient, and integrate successfully into their new environment, all within a challenging but crucial 90-day window.
When looking at it through that lens, that is a lot to accomplish in 90 days. I can't imagine arriving in a foreign culture and being expected to work a job by the end of my first 90 days there.
We have been approved to assist in the resettlement of 75 refugees starting from January to October 2024.
This is a big undertaking, and we are going to need help in 4 main ways:
Pray: We believe that prayer is a significant part of the work that we will be doing. Pray for the families that will be coming, pray for the volunteers that will serve, and pray for the resources that will be needed.
Share: Help us to spread the word of the work the Lord is doing. Do you have a church or small group we could share with? Could you share our posts on Social Media? Could you tell a friend? Please help us share about refugee resettlement in Kansas City.
Connect: Welcoming refugees requires a lot of resources: financial, material, and human connections. We are looking for connections in the areas of rental housing, apartment furnishings, and employers who may be interested in hiring clients. If you or someone you know can help in these areas, we would love to hear from you.
Serve: We will have one-time, ongoing, individual, and group opportunities to serve available.
If this is something that you are interested in, we invite you to join us.
We will host two events in November to orient potential partners and volunteers to this incredible opportunity. The first event, Tuesday, November 7th, at 9:30 AM, will be geared toward church and community partners.
The second event, which will take place on Saturday, November 11th at 9:30 AM, will invite people interested in knowing more about what volunteering will look like to come and learn.
Also, please share this information with your friends, family, and neighbors who may be interested in joining in the work of welcome.
Click here to RSVP for either of the informational gatherings!
If you cannot make either of the events and would like additional information, please contact me at KristenM@missionadelante.org
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE: NOVEMBER 6TH -9TH
Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs. This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.
For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe
Be part of our programs!
We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.