|
|
Refugee Family Update
Many thanks to all of your for your continued support of the refugee family. Three more family members arrived in the Twin Cities August 5 (their first night in the US spent at JFK airport due to a cancelled flight). All nine members crowded into the Carl Street apartment for almost three weeks before the new arrivals officially claimed their own apartment Monday, August 25. Now that housing is secured for all and we have made our way through many of the bureaucratic appointments, our needs for volunteer time have become more specific.
If you would like to help but feel awkward because you have not met the family, please do no let that stop you. You will be comfortably introduced to all, and you will find that friendships easily grow.
This family is a joy to work with.
Specific Bus Orientation for Family Members
1. Chandra Lal needs to learn bus routes from his apartment (Eustis and Larpenteur) to LSS at 710 E. 24th Street for regular appointments with case workers. Familiarity is also needed on the #3 and #61.
2. Ambika and Dadiram need to become familiar with bus routes from their apartment to Goodwill at Fairview and University. They begin a work training program October 1.
3. Ambika needs to attempt bus routes from her apartment to English class at 2700 Lake Street (Lake and Hiawatha in Minneapolis). If the route is workable for her, she may switch English classes.
If you can help with any of the bus training, please contact Linda O'Malley lindaomalley@comcast.net 651-699-7842 (h) 651-261-6404 (c) Thanks!
Donations Requested
- 3 dining room chairs for the new apartment.
- Full-length mirror to hang on the back of a door.
- Adult winter clothing, men's and women's (smaller adult sizes) -- sweaters, sweatshirts, jackets, long-sleeved shirts. We are not requesting pants (too hard to size!)
Please contact Mary Huber if you find any extras in your closet this month.
mhooper1976@yahoo.com 651-690-1973 Many thanks!
Personal Mentors Needed
We are looking for one or two male members of the congregation to serve as personal mentors for Dadiram, Govinda (Dadiram's dad), and Chandra Lal (Dadiram's 21-year-old brother). This person will need to help the men find appropriate cold-weather clothing at thrift stores, possibly free stores like Joseph's Coat, or some new merchandise at stores like Target. Linda O'Malley will brief you about how to use the EBT card for shopping or to get cash. This is not a long-term commitment, and will involve possibly a few visits to stores in the next few weeks, and then to finish up cold-weather needs in October or November. Your help would be so appreciated with this. If interested, please contact Linda O'Malley lindaomalley@comcast.net 651-699-7842
(h) 651-261-6404 (c)
Employment
Three adults in the family are looking for work. Work locations need to be accessed by public transportation, and their apartments are on the #3 and #61 bus lines. If you have friends who are looking for janitorial, cleaning, or restaurant workers, you might want to consider the employment potential of Chandra Lal, Ambika, and Dadiram.
Chandra Lal-Exceptional young man (age 21). He plans to attend night school from 4:30-8 p.m. with the hopes of increasing school time with a 3:30 p.m. start. Work availability is morning and early afternoon.
He speaks English (will still need ELL in school).
Dadiram and Ambika-Both will begin a work training program at Goodwill. This program gives each 15 hours of paid employment for 13 weeks, and they will be ready for regular work in January 2009. They have begun learning English, and are improving every day, but they will need a job with minimal English requirements. Dadiram also will attend night school beginning September 9, requiring Ambika to be home with the kids in the evenings. Day and weekend employment times would be best for their schedule.
Questions or ideas-contact Larry Soderholm or Linda O'Malley lindaomalley@comcast.net
larry.soderholm@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Thank you!
Linda O'Malley
|
|
