Opening Our Doors. Louisville, Kentucky and the Refugee Experience. Dr. Muhammad Babar President, Muslim Americans for Compassion

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1 Opening Our Doors Louisville, Kentucky and the Refugee Experience Dr. Muhammad Babar President, Muslim Americans for Compassion

2 My Journey Came to USA from Pakistan in 1996 Not a refugee forced out of my country Rather, an immigrant pursuing a better life

3 A Place for Many Kentucky is among the top states receiving resettled refugees Largest populations served are from Burma, Congo, Cuba, Syria, and Somalia. Avg. 60% of those refugees settle in Louisville.

4 A Place for Many

5 A Place for Many Louisville s foreignborn population growth rate of 42% from

6 Upon Arrival Where to fit in? How to be accepted? Professional/personal connections

7 A Sense of Place Louisville, Kentucky Population: 605,762 Largest city in Kentucky Represented by several faith traditions and cultures 137 different languages spoken in Jefferson County Public Schools Among 50 cities in the U.S. with the highest percentage of foreign born population.

8 A Sense of Place Louisville, Kentucky

9 A Sense of Place Louisville, Kentucky

10 Refugee Resettlement A private-public partnership Federal government does not fully fund the cost of refugee resettlement

11 Refugee Resettlement A portion of the cost is secured by resettlement agencies through donations from the local community in the forms of cash or in-kind donations (volunteer hours and other material donations).

12 Where to Start Louisville Metro Office for Globalization Assists new Americans to Louisville to achieve selfsufficiency and success. Promotes multi-culturalism in our city. Engages in economic development through global economic outreach.

13 Where to Start Kentucky Refugee Ministries A non-profit organization, is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees through faith- and agency-based co-sponsorship in order to promote selfsufficiency and successful integration into our community.

14 Where to Start Catholic Charities of Louisville Migration and Refugee Services The official representative of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) in the state of Kentucky. USCCB is one of seven U.S. voluntary agencies that have cooperative agreements with the United States government to resettle refugees who have been legally admitted to the United States, as victims of persecution because of their religious or political beliefs.

15 Global Louisville Action Plan Established in December 2016 Louisville Metro Government, Metro Chamber of Commerce and Greater Louisville Inc. Identifies recommended actions to accelerate the attraction of new foreign-born immigrants and streamlines resources and services that assist them with achieving their highest potential in our community.

16 Global Louisville Action Plan

17 Global Louisville Action Plan Core Category - Integrate Equitable and efficient access to quality employment, good housing, safe neighborhoods, pathways to education, entrepreneurship and career advancement.

18 Global Louisville Action Plan Core Category - Empower Long-term engagement and participation by immigrants as fully-integrated members of the larger Louisville community will activate their full potential to contribute to Louisville s prosperity.

19 Global Louisville Action Plan Core Category - Attract Inviting immigrants and extending a warm welcome via a welldeveloped message and outreach plan.

20 Global Louisville Action Plan /global-louisville-action-plan

21 Beyond Business Muslim Americans for Compassion Addresses social and civic concerns in communities that are under-served, trying to utilize our resources efficiently to achieve what we believe is the most positive effect. The organization s main event is the annual interfaith Iftar dinner, which is hosted in partnership with Interfaith Paths to Peace.

22 Beyond Business Interfaith Paths to Peace Interfaith organization that promotes world peace through interfaith understanding, and cultivates interreligious cooperation through education, programs and events.

23 Beyond Business Compassionate Louisville Through intention and social innovation, Compassionate Louisville creates and celebrates a community and world becoming more and more compassionate.

24 Beyond Business Center for Interfaith Relations Celebrates the diversity of faith traditions, express gratitude for our unity and strengthen the role of faith in society through common action. The organization s best work is seen in its annual Festival of Faiths.

25 Thank You! From Louisville, Kentucky A City of Compassion