Eugene K. Poma’s Post

🤝 How Churches Help Refugees and Immigrants Churches are stepping up to provide vital support for refugees and immigrants in our communities. These faith-based organizations are not only offering a welcoming environment but also a range of essential services designed to help newcomers navigate their new lives. Here are some ways churches are making a difference: 🌍 Hosting Refugee Families: Many churches partner with local resettlement agencies to host refugee families, providing them with safe housing and a supportive community as they transition to life in a new country. 📚 Educational Support: Churches like those involved with Nazarene Compassionate Ministries offer scholarships and educational programs for refugee children, helping them catch up on missed schooling and integrate into their new environments. 🤝 Legal Assistance: Some congregations provide legal support for immigrants seeking paths to citizenship, ensuring they have access to the resources needed to navigate complex immigration processes. 💼 Job Training and Employment Services: Churches often assist newcomers in finding jobs by providing training programs, resume workshops, and connections to local employers. 🩺 Healthcare Services: Many churches organize mobile medical clinics or partner with healthcare providers to ensure refugees receive necessary medical care and support. If you’re looking for ways to get involved or need assistance, reach out to your local church community. Together, we can create a welcoming environment for those seeking refuge and a fresh start. #ImmigrantSupport #RefugeeHelp #ChurchAid

There are so many well-known figures.. Who have fled their home countries seeking safety, only to go on and make remarkable contributions to society. Their stories remind us of the potential within every refugee. But here's the thing, this potential can only be realized if they are given the tools and resources they need. For refugees, it's not just about basic necessities like food and shelter, it's about access to education, job training, and a supportive community. When we provide these resources, we empower refugees to contribute fully to their new societies. It's about creating an environment where they feel valued and seen, not just as refugees but as individuals with unique skills and experiences. By doing this, we're not just helping them survive, we're helping them thrive. And that's what it's all about. Giving people the chance to make a meaningful impact in their new homes. #RefugeeIntegration #InclusiveHiring #RecruitRefugees

Would you look at this! 5 meaningful reasons why you should refer to REP over the next 5 weeks. Meghan Dyer has simplified the support our team has to offer for refugees accessing the programme. If you are looking for support specifically for refugees or have friends, colleagues and connections that would like to have a chat please drop me or Meg a message and we can take it from there. #5weeks #5reasons #refugees #employability #catch22

5 challenges you may face as a refugee in Norway: • The overwhelming pressure to speak #Norwegian before you can even think about contributing to society. It can be isolating and discouraging, and feel like a lot of pressure. • Being put into the same box, labeled as a refugee, assuming all refugees are the same! It might feel as though your individuality is being taken away. You’re not just a “#refugee”; you have a story and a uniqueness that matters! • Getting pushed into low-skill jobs despite having years of experience and qualifications. It’s frustrating to feel like your hard work doesn’t count here. • Struggling to find resources because they often aren’t available in multiple languages. It shouldn’t be that hard to get the support you need! • Facing a reluctance from others to engage in conversations about #bias and #discrimination. We need to talk about these issues openly, not sweep them under the rug! But through Recruit Refugees, I am committed to: • Advocating for your skills and experiences, no matter what your current level of Norwegian might be. • Recognizing you as an individual with #unique talents, not just a label. • Connecting you with job opportunities that truly match your qualifications. • Providing accessible, #multilingual resources so you can find the support you need. • Fostering open conversations about #inclusion and #diversity, ensuring everyone feels seen and valued. We are here for you, comment with questions!

A new literature review titled, “The Importance of Placemaking and Public Space for Migrant and Refugee Resettlement” by Marisa Cigliano and Lucía Barberena, delves into the role of placemaking and public spaces in facilitating the #integration of #migrants and #refugees. The authors emphasize public spaces’ impact on migrants’ sense of belonging and identity in a new place, and they highlight ongoing projects, organizations, and gardens in #NewYorkCity that foster community for migrants. The authors stress that access to quality public space is essential for migrants and refugees to establish roots, build social connections, and cultivate a sense of belonging in their new homes. https://buff.ly/46Gz1An

🧡 Refugee Week: Promoting Awareness and Taking Action 🧡 Together, this Refugee Week let’s make Our Home a more welcoming, safe and sustainable place for all. Here are a few ways you can get involved. 🧡 Educate: Learn about the refugee experience and share this knowledge with your network. 🧡Advocate: .Display your support by promoting Refugee Week in your workspaces (e.g. putting up a poster) or supporting on your social media channels 🧡 Engage: Volunteer with organisations that assist refugees or mentor refugees in your professional field. 🧡 Hire: Consider how your organisation can provide opportunities for refugees, recognising the unique skills and perspectives they bring. 🧡 Join the movement: the link at the bottom has a variety of different ways that you can get support at an individual or organisational level. I am currently coaching a refugee through One to One Children's fund and I come away inspired and energised every session from the resilience and strength of my coachee. Links are in the comments for ease 🧡 #SimpleActs #RefugeeWeek #OurHome #Awareness #Action #SupportRefugees #InclusiveWorkplaces

This week is #RefugeeWeek and the theme is ‘Our Home’. Home can be more than one place and finding it can be a journey, especially for young asylum seekers who have to leave their countries and rebuild their lives. This week is a crucial time for raising awareness about the perilous journeys young refugees, young asylum seekers and migrants undertake in search of safety and a new home. The trauma of witnessing violence, losing loved ones, and enduring dangerous travel conditions can have profound psychological impacts on young people. Upon arrival in a new country, they often encounter language barriers, and the uncertainty of their legal status. Adapting to a new education system and finding social support can be daunting, making it essential to provide compassionate and comprehensive assistance to help them rebuild their lives. At Horizon, we specialise in supporting young refugees, young asylum seekers and migrants in need to find home in a single person or community through therapeutic care, support and education. This Refugee Week we extended our warmth and hospitality beyond our own homes, schools and supported accommodation services to make our community more welcoming. Simple acts like having a chat, walking together, or sending a message of welcome can help everyone feel like they belong. Together, let’s work in solidarity to ensure young refugees, young asylum seekers and migrant in need have the right to a safe home, regardless of their background. This fundamental right ensures that all children, regardless of where they come from or their circumstances, are provided with a secure and supportive environment. A safe home is essential for their well-being, growth, and development, offering them the stability needed to heal from past traumas and build a hopeful future. How can you get involved? View the Refugee Week pack below for resources and inspiration: https://lnkd.in/eRTa9gkz #RefugeeWeek #Inclusion #YASMIN #SimpleActs #OurHome

How is your organisation marking Refugee Week? Refugee Week provides organisations and individuals alike an opportunity to celebrate the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees around the world. But with our recent Refugees At Work (2024) research showing that 40% of hiring managers were unsure of the law around hiring refugees, we know there is still much to be done to support refugees to enter and thrive in the workplace. In her latest article, Marianna Zajac, Senior Research Psychologist, looks at how organisations can best support refugees at work. Her article covers: - The main findings of our Refugees' At Work research - 3 ways organisations can better support refugees at work - What refugee week is and why it's important Read here in full: https://lnkd.in/eakvA5vs #RefugeeWeek #SimpleActs #InclusiveCulture #DEI #Research

Nebraska is proactively addressing its manufacturing labor shortage by training refugees, and the program extends to include non-manufacturing employers, broadening its impact. This initiative has been highly welcomed by the refugee community, who often face significant challenges in finding stable employment due to language barriers. By offering targeted training, the program equips refugees with essential skills, enhancing their job prospects and economic stability. This innovative approach not only benefits refugees but also provides employers with a skilled workforce, fostering a more inclusive community and effectively addressing local labor market challenges. Learn more via: https://buff.ly/3yQELL9 Nebraska Public Media #MidwestUrbanStrategies #Nebraska #RefugeeSupport #JobTraining #WorkforceDevelopment #LaborShortage #ManufacturingJobs #EconomicInclusion #CommunityEmpowerment #EmploymentOpportunities #SkillsTraining #InclusiveEconomy #WorkforceSolutions #RefugeeEmployment #SkilledLabor #JobIntegration #EconomicGrowth #LanguageSupport #CareerDevelopment #LocalEconomy #DiversityInclusion #EmploymentPrograms #RefugeeResettlement #IndustryCollaboration

June 20th is World Refugee Day, and as such, an important day to celebrate reseilience and diversity through education. Here's one refugee story and an empowering organization behind him. Meet Eiad. 👇 Eiad, a young graduate, fled Syria in 2012 to escape the horrors of war and violence inflicted by the national army, responsible for the deaths of over 200,000 civilians. His dangerous journey across the Mediterranean in a wooden boat ended with him being granted asylum in a new home under the protection of the Geneva Convention. Despite being a qualified dentist and residing in a country facing a talent shortage like the UK, it took Eiad nearly six years to pursue his profession. Eiad's story put the challenge in perspective for me, placing a reflection on the resilience and determination of individuals like him who overcome immense obstacles with grace and courage. What is World Refugee Day? 🔍 Established by the United Nations, World Refugee Day seeks to educate the public on refugee issues, mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and celebrate the contributions of refugees. This day serves as a reminder that everyone has the right to seek safety – whoever they are, wherever they come from, and whenever they are forced to flee. Spotlight on Chatterbox: 🌐 One remarkable initiative making a difference is Chatterbox, an innovative online language learning platform. What sets Chatterbox apart is its unique model of employing refugees as language tutors. Not only does this provide refugees with meaningful employment opportunities, it also allows them to use their language skills and cultural knowledge to educate others. What Can You Do: 🔗 HR professionals and leaders can committ to supporting refugees in the workplace by taking a pledge and connecting with a community dedicated to creating inclusive work environments for refugees. I've greatly appreciated learning about Chatterbox from Mursal Hedayat MBE and look forward to supporting the iniative. https://lnkd.in/eEbNNHkZ #ElevateRefugees #RefugeeWeek #WorldRefugeeDay #EducationForAll