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IRM Opens
its Arms to Evacuees from Hurricane Katrina
September 23, 2005
 Hundreds
of survivors of Hurricane Katrina have arrived in Connecticut,
and more are on the way. As you know, Interfaith Refugee
Ministry’s primary
mission is to resettle foreign refugees. But as you would expect, we
will not stand on the sidelines with so much to offer in the face of
such overwhelming need. With more than 20 years of experience resettling
foreign refugees, Interfaith Refugee Ministry (IRM) is uniquely qualified
to help homeless American families from the Gulf Coast resettle in Connecticut.
Survivors of Hurricane Katrina have much in common with our refugee clients.
They have experienced a crisis, were forced from their homes, and are
beginning a new life in a new place. They need shelter, clothing, food,
and jobs. They need help enrolling their kids into schools and arranging
doctor’s appointments.
IRM is involved in evacuee resettlement
through multiple avenues. First, we are working with a team
of City of New Haven departments and nonprofit organizations who are
resettling families in the New Haven area. And through a separate initiative,
in cooperation with Episcopal Migration Ministries and Church World Service,
IRM is preparing to resettle as many as 50 evacuee families
throughout Connecticut – all of whom would be sponsored, or hosted, by churches
or other community groups. At the moment, we are in the process of resettling
a New Orleans family of seven with an ecumenical group in Canton, CT.
We continue to identify and support other churches and institutions ready
to sponsor Katrina evacuees.
Finally, this week the Department of Social
Services (DSS) announced that it will utilize the expertise
of the six refugee resettlement agencies working in CT to resettle these
evacuees. IRM will provide case management services—including arranging housing
and travel back to the Gulf States—to evacuees living in the Greater
New Haven area who have registered with FEMA, the Red Cross, or State
agencies.
Like most Americans, you are probably looking for a way to
get involved. If you are interested in helping IRM in this
effort, please contact our office—by phone at (203) 562-2095 or by email at info@interfaithrefugee.org.
Furthermore, to keep up with the added workload, we have hired additional
staff and expanded our services. While this work was neither anticipated
nor budgeted, it is terribly necessary and it is why we need your help.
Please consider sending a tax-deductible contribution today to support
IRM’s work.
With your help, IRM will continue to welcome all newcomers – from
other countries and from our own – and work to ensure that they
have the best possible start to their lives in Connecticut.
Learn more about how your group can sponsor a family displaced by
Hurricane Katrina.
Read IRM's article on resettling Katrina survivors
in Connecticut.
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