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Hi All,
Our names are Lindsay Auer and Matthew Collins, we are a married couple living in north county San Diego. We've created this gofundme page in response to the horrific and heartbreaking reality that the Syrian people are currently facing. We are tired of watching the news and feeling helpless, which is why we paired up with a local non-profit where we could "adopt" a family of Sryian refugees and assist them in transitioning to America. For the next year (and far longer we hope) we will work with the family, to show them that they are safe, welcomed, and loved here.
Please, meet the Bakdalia Family.
The Bakdalia family -Zakaria (husband, 43 years old) and Violeta (wife, 54); fled Aleppo, Syria and were granted refuge a few months ago in San Diego, CA. They are a friendly and gracious couple--the first time we met them, they welcomed us into their home and referred to us as their brother and sister.
They live in a small studio apartment and are currently depending on meager public and private non-profit resources and support to begin their new lives here in America. They do not have a car and the public transportation in San Diego is very limited. This makes getting to a job challenging.
Zakaria, speaks a little English, and attends a class at the local school to improve. They receive $350 in monthly cash assistance, their monthly rent is $650. They also receive food stamps, but he's worried it won't be enough to cover his family's basic needs each month while he searches for work. The feeling is new for him, he said. As a dentist back in Syria, he said he never had trouble with money. He is willing to do just about anything from cleaning to warehouse stocking, etc.
Violeta, speaks limited English. She used to be a nurse in Syria. Unfortunately she is suffering from a severe case of PTSD, which currently prevents her from holding a job.
I know there are many of you, who like us, have been watching the news of what is happening in Syria as of late. In the last 5 years, a reported 470,000 people have been killed in the civil war, 6.1 million have been displaced. I know that you have seen the photos of bloodied children, families on life rafts, lifeless babies washing up on shore and wondered, how does this happen, and what can I do? And I know there are many different things we can do, starting with donating to organizations that help lead on the ground relief efforts, I urge everyone to do that. But as Americans, with 10,000 refugees who have come to our country, terrified, empty handed, not speaking the language, there is so much we can do here at home. And I ask you to help me make a difference in the lives of 2 of these refugees.
Like most refugees newly resettled in the country, the Bakdalia family arrived in the U.S. with very few belongings, and they had no credit nor salary. Literally ANYTHING you can contribute will be a help to this lovely couple.
Additional information:
1. Who you are and where you’re from
Lindsay Auer from Medford Lakes, NJ
2. Your relationship with the parties for whom you are raising funds and your method of contact with them
"Adopted" Family via Syrian Community Network
3. How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible)
We will be using the funds to help meet their needs (clothing, food, medicine, other household goods; car; bills and rent, etc) until Zakaria is gainfully employed and more financially independent.
4. Your specific plan for how the funds will be withdrawn from and sent to the beneficiary of the campaign
I will be withdrawing the funds and delivering them to the Syrian Community Network (http://www.syriancommunitynetwork.org/)
who will transfer the money to the Bakdalia's
expressely for the family's needs listed above.
Our names are Lindsay Auer and Matthew Collins, we are a married couple living in north county San Diego. We've created this gofundme page in response to the horrific and heartbreaking reality that the Syrian people are currently facing. We are tired of watching the news and feeling helpless, which is why we paired up with a local non-profit where we could "adopt" a family of Sryian refugees and assist them in transitioning to America. For the next year (and far longer we hope) we will work with the family, to show them that they are safe, welcomed, and loved here.
Please, meet the Bakdalia Family.
The Bakdalia family -Zakaria (husband, 43 years old) and Violeta (wife, 54); fled Aleppo, Syria and were granted refuge a few months ago in San Diego, CA. They are a friendly and gracious couple--the first time we met them, they welcomed us into their home and referred to us as their brother and sister.
They live in a small studio apartment and are currently depending on meager public and private non-profit resources and support to begin their new lives here in America. They do not have a car and the public transportation in San Diego is very limited. This makes getting to a job challenging.
Zakaria, speaks a little English, and attends a class at the local school to improve. They receive $350 in monthly cash assistance, their monthly rent is $650. They also receive food stamps, but he's worried it won't be enough to cover his family's basic needs each month while he searches for work. The feeling is new for him, he said. As a dentist back in Syria, he said he never had trouble with money. He is willing to do just about anything from cleaning to warehouse stocking, etc.
Violeta, speaks limited English. She used to be a nurse in Syria. Unfortunately she is suffering from a severe case of PTSD, which currently prevents her from holding a job.
I know there are many of you, who like us, have been watching the news of what is happening in Syria as of late. In the last 5 years, a reported 470,000 people have been killed in the civil war, 6.1 million have been displaced. I know that you have seen the photos of bloodied children, families on life rafts, lifeless babies washing up on shore and wondered, how does this happen, and what can I do? And I know there are many different things we can do, starting with donating to organizations that help lead on the ground relief efforts, I urge everyone to do that. But as Americans, with 10,000 refugees who have come to our country, terrified, empty handed, not speaking the language, there is so much we can do here at home. And I ask you to help me make a difference in the lives of 2 of these refugees.
Like most refugees newly resettled in the country, the Bakdalia family arrived in the U.S. with very few belongings, and they had no credit nor salary. Literally ANYTHING you can contribute will be a help to this lovely couple.
Additional information:
1. Who you are and where you’re from
Lindsay Auer from Medford Lakes, NJ
2. Your relationship with the parties for whom you are raising funds and your method of contact with them
"Adopted" Family via Syrian Community Network
3. How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible)
We will be using the funds to help meet their needs (clothing, food, medicine, other household goods; car; bills and rent, etc) until Zakaria is gainfully employed and more financially independent.
4. Your specific plan for how the funds will be withdrawn from and sent to the beneficiary of the campaign
I will be withdrawing the funds and delivering them to the Syrian Community Network (http://www.syriancommunitynetwork.org/)
who will transfer the money to the Bakdalia's
expressely for the family's needs listed above.