Which
refugees and asylees are helped by Lutheran Services of Georgia?
Refugees seeking admission to the US must first register. Those living in
refugee camps register with the United Nations High Commissioner for
Refugees (UNHCR), while those living outside refugee camps must register
with a US Embassy. A few of those who register will be granted admission to
the US. They are assigned to a national voluntary agency, such as Lutheran
Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS). The national voluntary agency takes
responsibility for their resettlement.
LIRS then assigns refugees to its affiliate agencies, which includes
Lutheran Services of Georgia’s Refugee Resettlement Program. We make the
final decision to accept or decline a case, based on our assessment of the
refugees’ chances to achieve a self-sufficient and fulfilling life in
Atlanta. We assist refugees from anywhere in the world without regard to
race, ethnicity, religion, age, or gender. We have resettled people from
Bosnia (the former Yugoslavia), Burma, Ethiopia, Iraq, Iran, Liberia, Sierra
Leone, Somalia, the former Soviet Union, Sudan, Turkey, Vietnam, and other
countries worldwide. (Top of Page)
There are two different types of refugee “cases” that are resettled by LSG:
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Family Reunifications:
Familes previously resettled by LSG co-sponsor many of our refugees with our
assistance, in a process known as “family reunification.” These families are
called “anchor cases.” Often a relative will agree to take some or all of
the responsibility for arranging housing, providing food and clothing, and
meeting other basic needs of the new arrivals. However, this can quickly
become an overwhelming responsibility, particularly if the co-sponsors are
themselves recent arrivals. Volunteers are often needed to assist with
various needs that may arise.
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Free
Cases:
Unlike anchor cases, free cases are refugees who have no known relative or
friend to assist with their resettlement. Georgia families, churches, and
civic organizations may co-sponsor these refugees. With the assistance of
LSG, the co-sponsoring group acts as a facilitator to make sure that all
necessary services are provided to the new arrivals.
LSG’s Refugee
Services can also provide limited assistance to asylees, people
who have been granted permission to remain by the US government
after they arrive in the US. (Top of Page)
What
financial assistance do refugees receive during the resettlement process?
Lutheran Services of Georgia is able to provide a limited amount of direct
financial assistance for a short period of time to the refugees we resettle.
This money comes from the federal government and we are mandated to put it
directly into the hands of the refugees. Checks are issued to the refugee
whose name is listed as the head of the household.
The goal throughout this initial three-to-four-month period must always be
to promote financial independence for the refugee family. As soon as the
adults in the family become employed, they can begin to take responsibility
for their housing and living expenses.
Resettlement and
Placement (R & P) Grant.
All refugees resettled by LSG receive these funds, which come from the US
Department of State. LSG receives $425 for each refugee (including children)
at the time of arrival. This amount is split into two separate checks, which
are given to the head of household at the beginning and end of the first
month. The first check ($175 per person) is given during Orientation.
The case manager discusses with the refugees whether they have additional
necessities that must be purchased. If so, some of the R & P funds are used
to meet the refugees’ immediate material needs. A check for the remaining R
& P funds is disbursed during a Home Visit.
After the first month, R & P funds are exhausted, and the refugee household
will enroll in one of two programs, Matching Grant or Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families.
Matching Grant (MG)
Early Self-sufficiency Program.
These funds are provided by the US Office of Refugee Resettlement. Refugee
families with one or more employable adults are offered enrollment in MG as
a superior alternative to TANF (described below). If they enroll in MG, they
are not permitted to access TANF funds. They are permitted, however, to
apply for Food Stamps and medical assistance.
The choice of programs is made by the refugees, but there are advantages to
enrolling in MG. Although the base amount that the family receives through
MG is equivalent to the amount that they would receive through TANF, MG
families also receive bonuses. There is a household signup bonus, and all
employable adults also receive a transportation bonus each month. Adult
children 18 and older who are seeking employment are treated as separate MG
cases.
MG funds are disbursed at the end of 31, 61, and 91 days, provided that the
adults are actively seeking employment. An added advantage of MG over TANF
is that the family continues to receive assistance during this three-month
period, even if they begin work.
Temporary Assistance
for Needy Families (TANF).
These funds are Public Cash Assistance administered by the state. Soon after
arrival, the case manager escorts each refugee family to the TANF office to
determine their eligibility for publicly funded programs under special
provisions for the first 91 days in the US. We encourage all refugees,
including those in the Matching Grant Program to apply for Food Stamps and
medical assistance. Families not eligible for MG, or who do not choose to
enroll in MG, receive TANF funds at the end of 31, 61, and 91 days in the
US.
As soon as someone becomes employed, the family must notify the TANF office
and provide proof of their new income amount. TANF will then reduce or
eliminate their Public Assistance accordingly.
At
the end of 91 days, each refugee household that still requires financial
assistance must reenroll in TANF. At that point, they lose their special
refugee status and they must demonstrate the same need and eligibility as
any other US family.
(Top of Page)
How
can I (we) volunteer? What would I (we) do?
Your friendship is the greatest gift you can offer to refugees during their
first difficult months of transition to a new country, a new language, and a
new culture. There are many
different ways to assist new arrivals.
Much of what you can do depends on the amount of time you wish to donate,
your interests, and your skills. Volunteer opportunities are as varied as
our volunteers. Choose the one (or more) that’s right for you!
Welcoming
Activities
-
Help
with apartment set-up and decorating for the homey touch
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Create welcome
baskets for arriving families
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Orientation to the
Community
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Take a refugee
food shopping (using their money or yours) and help them select items
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Teach the use of
public transportation
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Teach
how to use phone services
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Medical Assistance
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Take people to the
Health Department for follow-up appointments
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Take people to
medical and dental appointments
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School Services
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Register children
for school
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Be a school
liaison (help families to understand school procedures)
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Tutor
children after school
-
Collect school
supplies
English Language Instruction (ELI)
Employment
Miscellaneous
-
Take people to
LSG’s Clothes Closet and help them select appropriate clothing for work,
school, etc.
-
Sponsor a donation
drive (for example, furniture or clothing drive) at your church or other
organization
-
Assist adults with
driver’s education and taking the driver’s test
-
Participate in
fundraising activities
-
Provide clerical
or office assistance at LSG Refugee Services
We also depend upon volunteers to donate the items that will be needed to
set up apartments for arriving refugees. Many times all of the belongings of
a refugee will fit into one small carry-on bag. You can help them start to
rebuild their household here in their new country by putting together a
“welcome box” or “apartment kit.” We ask that all items other than
furniture, electronics, and clothes be purchased new for the refugees.
Furniture, electronics, and clothing may be in “clean and gently used”
condition. (Top of Page)
Related links:
How
can I donate cash or material items to assist refugees?
Imagine trying to make a home for yourself in a new country with only the
contents of a single suitcase! That is the plight in which most of our
refugees find themselves. LSG does all it can to provide our families with
basic necessities, but the task is both overwhelming and expensive.
The US government simply does not provide sufficient funds to supply all of
our refugees’ basic needs. We must turn to warm-hearted Americans like you
to help us provide the rest through your tax-deductible donations. Material
needs of our refugees include
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All of the items
that furnish their first apartment
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Welcome
baskets
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Book bags and
supplies for children (distributed in late summer)
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Coats, hats,
gloves, and scarves for refugees facing their first winter
-
Vehicles for
transportation to and from work
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Holiday
gifts for children and teens
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Holiday
meal baskets
Your assistance is
greatly appreciated by our refugees and all of us who work with them. Thank
you!
From this page, you can link to several lists of needed items.
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Printable list of items used to furnish apartments for newly arriving
refugees
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For
updates on the most needed items
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We accept donated cars in
drivable condition to pass on to our refugee
families.
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To arrange for us to pick up your
clean and gently used items and/or used vehicles, please call Vedad Fetic at 678-686-9620
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We encourage corporations to add us to their corporate giving programs.
Individuals and corporations can make tax-free cash donations.
Try our registry at Amazon.com
(Top of Page)
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