Info Session World Relief Overview Asylees, Asylum Seekers and Immigrants Detention Center Overview Volunteer programs Next steps
Mission Every refugee and vulnerable immigrant welcomed by community, rooted in community, and empowered for community
Biblical Response When a foreigner lives with you in your land, don t take advantage of him. Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love him like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt. -Leviticus 19:33-34 (MSG)
Many of the Characters in the Biblical Narrative Were Refugees or Immigrants Abraham Rebekah Jacob Joseph Ruth David Jesus Paul Immigrant Family-Based Immigrant Refugee Victim of Human Trafficking Family-Based Immigrant Refugee Refugee / Celestial Immigrant Employment-Based Immigrant
Pop Quiz How many Forcibly Displaced people are there world wide?
There are 65.6 million forcibly-displaced people worldwide 40.3 Million Internally Displaced People 22.5 Million Refugee s 2.8 Million Asylum Seekers
Immigration Changes Refugee Resettlement 8
Asylee resettlement: World Relief Seattle 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Asylees by Fiscal Year
Who are Asylees? An asylee is someone with a well founded fear of persecution and has crossed an international border. They have a similar status to that of a refugee and can eventually apply for citizenship. Asylees are granted their status after entering the U.S while refugees are granted a status before arriving in the United States.
Persecution is based on Race Religion Nationality Membership in a social group Political opinion
Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma A holding facility for immigrants and asylum seekers going through immigration proceedings. Started 2004 Capacity for 1575 Serves Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. Is a private company run by GEO and overseen by the department of homeland security Average time spent is 3 months 77% of detainees are deported NWDC the 4th largest of the 112 Detention facilities in USA
Some Examples Someone fleeing persecution who has crossed the border into the U.S. to claim asylum A student who has overstayed their visa An undocumented worker who has been picked up at work in an I.C.E. raid
Where are people coming from? In the past 2 months World Relief Seattle has welcomed people from Cameroon Venezuela Ukraine Guatemala El Salvador Peru Honduras Ethiopia Mexico China Eretria India Nigeria
Volunteer Opportunities
Church Services inside the Detention Center Inside : Volunteers from World Relief and local churches visit men and women at the Immigration Detention Center in Tacoma every Saturday and Sunday to coordinate church services 8 Church Services a Weekend Spanish English (Interpreted) Russian 102 countries have been represented since 2000
Window Visits & Correspondence A volunteer commits to meet with a detainee on a regular basis. Purpose of the visits are as follows: Time of listening Sharing God's word Encouragement prayer
Welcome RV Greet detainees who are released Assist those who need help making travel arrangements Pass out snacks, backpacks and toiletries
Transportation Team Taxi type service Provide transportation from the detention center to the bus station, airport, temporary housing, or to our office in Kent. Opportunity show someone the area and meet someone new.
Host Homes URGENT NEED Volunteer houses someone released from the detention center for 1-3 nights, sometimes longer if guest has won their asylum case and plans to go on a WR program. Provides food, lodging and transportation *if you know someone who may be interested please email smurray@wr.org
good neighbor team Good Neighbor Team Video
good neighbor team Description: A trained group of 10-15 people who welcome and care for a refugee family during their first 6 months in America, in partnership with World Relief and with the support of their congregation. Roles: Team Leader Host Home Housing Search Coordinator Transpiration Coordinator Social Services Coordinator Education/ESL Coordinator Health Care/Dental Coordinator Employment Coordinator Finances Coordinator
good neighbor team Benefits..the refugee family the World Relief service team the Church family
Volunteer Intake Process 1. Volunteer Application. 2. Attend a volunteer training. Yay, you re ½ way there. 3. Complete a criminal background check and driving check. This may take up to 4 weeks for some. 4. Attend an orientation specific to your volunteer role. 5. Once your background check is cleared, you start volunteering!
What can you do today? $30 = 10 Spanish Bibles of detainees $50 = Backpack and shoes for released or deported detainees $110 = Helps secure a green card for one asylee WorldReliefSeattle.org/GIVE
Questions?