Atlanta Speaks: Refugees Welcome!
Donation protected
In 1978, my parents fled their country in the middle of the night by a handbuilt boat. The chances of death were high--but a Thai fisherman saved the lives of nearly 30 members of my family, including my pregnant aunt. Under the strong political leadership of Republican Gov. Robert Ray, my family, along with other Vietnamese refugees, was resettled in Madrid, Iowa with sponsorship support from the Catholic Church and an American family.
Today Gov. Deal has issued an executive order to stop the resettlement of Syrian families in our state. He instructed state agencies to deny Syrian families access to SNAP benefits that are rightfully owed to them. These SNAP dollars provide bare bone necessities: the food to nourish families.
Here in Atlanta, we stand with refugee families and we will continue to open our communities to those who are fleeing violence and terror. As part of our commitment to sponsor an incoming family in partnership with New American Pathways, we are raising funds to help resettle a family in our city.
Over the next month, a community-based team will collect items to set-up an apartment for a family. And once our family is here, we will spend the next 180 days helping the family navigate transportation, jobs, grocery shopping, visits to the doctor, ESL classes, and other American customs.
Funds collected will go directly to New American Pathways to increase their capacity to provide staff support and intensive case management support.
Mom, age 28, and Dad, 31, celebrate their first Christmas in America with my older sister born in Madrid, Iowa on July 4, 1979.
Today Gov. Deal has issued an executive order to stop the resettlement of Syrian families in our state. He instructed state agencies to deny Syrian families access to SNAP benefits that are rightfully owed to them. These SNAP dollars provide bare bone necessities: the food to nourish families.
Here in Atlanta, we stand with refugee families and we will continue to open our communities to those who are fleeing violence and terror. As part of our commitment to sponsor an incoming family in partnership with New American Pathways, we are raising funds to help resettle a family in our city.
Over the next month, a community-based team will collect items to set-up an apartment for a family. And once our family is here, we will spend the next 180 days helping the family navigate transportation, jobs, grocery shopping, visits to the doctor, ESL classes, and other American customs.
Funds collected will go directly to New American Pathways to increase their capacity to provide staff support and intensive case management support.
Mom, age 28, and Dad, 31, celebrate their first Christmas in America with my older sister born in Madrid, Iowa on July 4, 1979.Organizer
Bee Nguyen
Organizer
Atlanta, GA