Help Noor's Family Reunite in Tucson

Eight years ago, I arrived in Tucson, Arizona as an 18 year old refugee. I came with my parents and my younger sister, but my older sister Noor stayed behind with her husband and newborn baby.

We have missed Noor desperately for eight years. Shooq, the granddaughter my mother hasn't held since she was born, has grown into an elementary school student. Hammoudi, the grandson my mother has never held is kindergarden age (the same age as his uncle, my little brother!) You may have heard me shortly after we arrived in Tucson talk on KXCI about my mother's pain at missing Noor. That pain has just deepened over the years. But it is about to be over!

This summer my sister Sara and I formed a sponsorship team through Welcome Corps with our dear friends Melanie, Nick, Limell, and Catherine. And this September, Noor and her family will arrive in Tucson!

As a sponsorship group, we are responsible for all of the expenses that refugee resettlement organizations usually cover. We need to pay rent on an apartment for Noor and her family for three months. We need to furnish that apartment, cover the cost of their groceries and utilities, buy school uniforms and supplies for the kids--both the two younger ones and our step-niece Rasha. (If you would like to help purchase specific items that Noor and her family will need, we have an Amazon wishlist that we would love your help with! ) We need to help Noor and her husband Ahmed find jobs, start learning English, get their health care set up, and start navigating life in America.

I, Houda, have been working as a refugee resettlement case manager for a year. So in addition to my own family experience as a refugee, I have the professional skills and knowledge to help Noor and Ahmed when they arrive. My family will be supporting the family in every way we can when they arrive. Melanie, Nick, Limell, and Catherine have been our dear friends since we arrived--and they will be helping with English and resources and transportation.

$10,000 dollars will allow me to pay for the first 90 days of expenses for this beloved family of 5 as they get oriented to Tucson and begin to become more independent. I can barely begin to express how grateful I and my family are for any support you can offer. You will be helping to heal my mother's heart--all of our hearts. Thank you. Shukraan. Shukraan. Shukraan.