|
Restoring lives, uplifting Triad communities.
|
|
|
Keep reading for the latest news and opportunities as we serve refugees, immigrants, and our welcoming Triad community!
|
|
In Celebration of Citizenship Day in September: Prince's Story
|
|
|
Reflecting on September as the time of year that we celebrate citizenship with #CitizenshipDay, we invite you to read to learn about one of our own’s stories, Prince and his wife, Laurette!
Becoming a citizen affords a lot of privileges and is a process that can be uncertain for some. Prince Mushunju, Employment Services Coordinator at World Relief Triad, reflects on his and his wife’s experience one year since they received citizenship. Read their story here >>
|
|
|
|
Advocacy Event Hosted in October
|
|
After a successful afternoon, we are grateful to have learned more about the value of prioritizing “People Over Partisanship” with insight from Matthew Soerens! Church and community partners gathered from across the state to enjoy an event filled with learning, fellowship, food, questions, and calls to action on advocating for various populations facing vulnerable situations. (Special thanks to The Summit Church in Kernersville for hosting the event!)
As local churches seek to welcome, serve and learn from their new refugee and immigrant neighbors, many encounter systemic challenges that prevent our immigrant neighbors from fully integrating and flourishing in our communities. Through conversation and discussion, we explored how the church can provide love, welcome, and support to our newest neighbors by advocating for their holistic well-being!
|
|
|
To learn more about how you can get involved with local, state, and national advocacy, please email us at triad@wr.org for more questions!
And check out our advocate webpage at the button below:
|
|
|
Closing Out the Fiscal Year for 2022
|
|
With a heavy sigh of both relief and joy, we are reflecting on all that we were able to accomplish as we closed out the fiscal year for 2022 at the end of September.
During our 2022 fiscal year:
- We resettled a total of 62 refugee families (or 231 individuals) – 34 families were resettled in Winston-Salem, 24 families in High Point, 3 families in Greensboro, and 1 family in Lexington.
- We mobilized and equipped 11 Good Neighbor Teams to come alongside newly arrived families through relational connection and logistical support.
- We have served a total of 159 people through our employment services including 71 job starts (with 15 of those being job upgrades).
- We currently have 24 refugee youth enrolled in our Youth Mentoring program which supports youth in a variety of ways (tutoring, community connection, acquiring driver’s license, college readiness, etc.)
- We provided intensive case management and health-related support for 25 refugees. In addition, 12 people received therapy services, and we had 29 garden participants.
- World Relief served a total of 154 immigrants through the immigration legal services program – with 36 green cards being acquired and 30 people becoming U.S. citizens!
We recognize that these efforts are not just a reflection on the hard work of our staff and those who are serving these populations. We know that we would not be able to accomplish what we had without the commitment of our community financially, in their time, and their care. Heading into the fiscal year for 2023, we are expectant and excited about how we can continue serving diligently!
|
|
|
Indefinite Pause of our Anti-Human Trafficking Program
|
|
Since 2004 our Triad office has been engaged in anti-human trafficking work, both in caring for survivors and seeking to prevent trafficking from occurring through outreaches, training, collaborating with local law enforcement, and building community awareness. This has been a unique aspect of our local work, and not only that, our Triad office is the only World Relief office focused on serving this population and addressing this specific area of vulnerability. Yet sadly, due to a lack of funding and some staff transitions, we have had to indefinitely pause this program until we can secure the necessary (sustainable) funding to continue serving the community in this specialized way (even as we continue to offer other supportive services and programs for refugees and immigrants).
We hope to resume this form of service and care to our community in the future, but right now we do not have the necessary funding and community partners to do so. If you have further questions about the pausing of our anti-human trafficking program or would like to know more about how you could help us rebuild this program, please reach out to us at triad@wr.org.
|
|
|
CLIENT SERVICES: BY THE NUMBERS
|
|
|
Since September 1st, we have welcomed 67 more individuals to the area! Our newest neighbors have come from the Dem. Rep. of Congo, Syria, Venezuela, Burundi, Iraq, Vietnam, El Salvador, and Rwanda.
Over the next few weeks, we expect at least 6 more arrivals (of individuals and families) to arrive in the Triad.
|
|
|
|
URGING CONGRESS TO PASS THE AFGHAN ADJUSTMENT ACT
|
|
Most of the Afghan arrivals who were evacuated were brought into the United States on a temporary immigration status as “parolees.” However, since parole only provides temporary protection, these individuals need access to permanent legal status to be able to rebuild their lives in the United States.
On August 9, 2022, a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives introduced the Afghan Adjustment Act in both chambers of the U.S. Congress to remedy this situation. We invite you to ask your Members of Congress to support this vital legislation.
|
|
|
Airport Pick-Up, Transportation, & Sewing Class Volunteers Needed
|
|
|
A new fiscal year has started and that means the continued increase of new refugee families! In September alone, we greeted 15 arrivals at the airport. It's an exciting and busy time at World Relief, and we need even more help with welcoming families. If you are interested in assisting us with airport pick-ups and transportation, please let us know!
|
|
Our Opportunity Services department has resumed our sewing class in our High Point office, and we need volunteers! If you have experience with basic sewing skills, and can join us for this High Point-based opportunity, let us know: Email us at volunteertriad@wr.org for more details.
|
|
|
You can make a world of difference in the lives of refugees and immigrants by sharing your time and talents. Learn more and apply to volunteer with us at the button below.
|
|
If you're a current volunteer and have hours to log, you can do so here >>
|
|
Our next volunteer orientations take place on November 12th and December 10th. Email us at volunteertriad@wr.org for more details.
|
|
|
A great way to partner with WR Triad is by praying with and for us! Will you join us by praying for our community in these ways?
- Begin praying for the holiday season, that we would go into it with joy and thanksgiving. As we continue to serve those in the immigrant community alongside volunteers and community partners, pray that we are able to balance busy schedules with moments of reflection, hope, and gratitude for all that we have the privilege of doing in this field.
- Pray for both of our offices' preparation as we continue to welcome more arrivals in the upcoming months. We have confirmed the arrivals of at least 5 different families arriving from various countries in the upcoming weeks. Pray specifically for our client coordinators as they work to properly provide services to all of their clients, as well as our resource management team as they prepare their homes.
- For the Afghan immigrants who have arrived and are now waiting for their pending immigration status in terms of citizenship: We are praying and hoping for a permanent solution to arise soon through the Afghan Adjustment Act or by some other legislative means.
- Pray for open positions to be filled with the right people as well as our newest additions to the team who are already contributing to our team in a mighty way. Especially concerning the open position of Office Director, we are praying for peace and a smooth transition in the hiring and onboarding process. Pray for staff members as they continue to train and assure new hires of their roles, as well as for staff to have wisdom throughout the hiring process.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23
|
|
|
CycleBar Partnership Highlight: New Promo Code!
|
|
We have some exciting news... CycleBar Winston-Salem has launched a new promo code that actively benefits the efforts of World Relief Triad!
The promo code is WORLDRELIEF and can be used on any of our regularly priced membership or package options for 20% off, with 20% being donated to World Relief. This code is live now! You can text the studio at 336-829-5795 or reach CycleBar by email at winstonsalem@cyclebar.com for any questions.
As active supporters of the greater community no matter who they are, CycleBar's mission is closely aligned with ours. "We are more than just a fitness studio," Mari Parrott, General Manager of CycleBar Winston-Salem says. "Through offering our 45-minute indoor cycling classes, we offer the opportunity for physical, spiritual, and mental growth. Our community helps give people a sense of meaning, no matter what they're going through."
We invite you to gather with your friends, family, or fellow volunteers for this amazing opportunity to exercise and engage with one another while benefiting World Relief. Check out some of the rides they offer using the link below!
|
|
|
Liberty Hardware Officially Becomes A "Business of Welcome" for World Relief under the Masco Corporation
|
|
After joining us as partners in employing our clients in 2017, Liberty Hardware recently joined our "Business of Welcome" financial partners in gifting $20,000!
As an organization that believes that it is up to the community to choose welcome, we could not be more grateful for this partnership, and we look forward to what the future holds for furthering the culture of both Liberty Hardware and World Relief Triad in serving the refugee and immigrant populations.
|
|
|
|
The first group of World Relief Triad clients to be employed at Liberty Hardware in 2017
|
|
Hannah Corrao, Opportunity Services Manager at World Relief Triad, remembers the beginning of Liberty's partnership as a previous Employment Services Coordinator. She speaks into their partnership as "invaluable."
"We are so grateful for their willingness to hire those who may have barriers in transportation, language, or other areas," Hannah says. "A solid job opportunity not only gets newcomers closer to self-sufficiency, but it is also their first step towards creating a new life in America."
Do you have a passion for seeing tangible ways that your business and the lives of refugees and immigrants could mutually be benefitted? Learn more about becoming a Business of Welcome at the button below!
|
|
|
High Point Community Foundation Gifts $19,000
|
|
We are immensely grateful to the High Point Community Foundation for their continual commitment to meeting the unmet needs of High Point and "strengthening a diverse, healthy, and productive community for both present and future generations." We can see this clearly in their choice to partner with World Relief Triad as we work to create a welcoming community so that every refugee and immigrant can flourish!
|
|
If you'd like to support us financially, visit our giving page >>
Thank you for your generosity!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Follow us on social media to stay-up-to-date about more of the latest news!
|
|
|
|
|
|
