TUCSON REFUGEE PROGRAM

What’s New in Refugee Resettlement?

We have had had a busy fall here at the Tucson Refugee Program. Between August and December, we welcomed 75 individuals, making up three-quarters of the total number of refugees received in all of 2007. This wave of arrivals saw the influx of two populations relatively new to Tucson, who will continue to be the main group that LSS will resettle through 2008: the Burundians and the Iraqis. Each is proving to be interesting to work with, presenting unique challenges and rewards.

The Burundians are arriving from Tanzania, where most have been living in refugee camps since fleeing their home country in 1972. The Iraqis, of course, have been displaced much more recently as a result of the current conflict in the Middle East and have been living as urban refugees in places such as Syria, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Egypt. We also continue to resettle Somali and Cuban refugees, who are welcomed into sizeable existing populations here in Tucson.

The staff has been working diligently to meet the varied needs of all of our clients, from initial resettlement services for new arrivals, to ongoing advocacy and support for refugees who have been here for a number of years.

We are fortunate to have several new staff members in our office who, working alongside continuing staff, have helped ease the pressure of this extremely busy time.

Refer to the UN website to learn more about the conflict in Burundi:

http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=17870&Cr=Burundi&Cr1=

http://www.un.org/children/conflict/english/burundi28.html

Program Staff

LSS-SW is sad to announce the departure of its director, Janell Mousseau. Janell has served as director of both the Refugee Resettlement Program and the Asylum Program of Arizona. She is leaving to pursue further studies at the University of Arizona. Congratulations Janell! We will miss her strong leadership and management of both programs.

Juan Carlos Albarran is serving as the new Employment Specialist. Juan Carlos is a Cuban American with an advanced degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona and has a background in the service industry and hotel management.

Louisa Bifano is the current Volunteer and Church Co-Sponsorship Developer. She has a bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona and was most recently working as a volunteer English teacher in Mexico.

Sandy Marshall began with LSS-SW in September as the donations coordinator, but will start as a full-time case manager at the first of the year. A native Tucsonan, Sandy completes his Master’s Degree in Near Eastern Studies at the University of Arizona this December. He has lived and worked in the Middle East and speaks Arabic.

Mukadesa Muftic continues to serve as Case Manager. A former Bosnian refugee, Mukadesa has been with LSS-SW Refugee Program since 1999, longer than anyone else in the office. She is the lead case manager with the Iraqi clients.

Aress Omar continues as Case Manager, working primarily with Burundian and Somali clients, but has recently taken on Iraqis as well. Aress is from Somalia and has been with the program for 4 years.

How can you help?

Volunteer! The growing volunteer program at LSS-SW offers a number of different ways to contribute to this dynamic effort. The Refugee Mentorship Program matches community members with newly arrived individual refugees or families to act as mentors, teachers, and friends. Community volunteers are a crucial part of the resettlement process, as they help guide refugees through their first few months of life in the U.S.

Church Co-sponsorship – LSS-SW coordinates faith-based co-sponsorships for refugee families. If your congregation would be interested in learning more about this ministry, please contact us to arrange for a presentation.

Material Donations – Apartments for refugees are furnished and stocked with basic amenities provided almost entirely through donations from the community. You can help by donating new or gently used furniture, household goods, and personal care items.

Financial Contributions – Your contribution can make an huge difference in our ability to provide support in all forms to refugee families.

Job Development – Employment can be one of our biggest challenges, but it is also the most important factor in achieving self-sufficiency. Businesses are invited to join other Tucson employers who are willing to add refugees to their workforce.

How does LSS-SW help refugees?

For over 25 years, LSS-SW has been dedicated to helping refugees establish new lives in Arizona. With national and local support, we provide arriving refugees with basic necessities for starting life anew – food, clothing, housing, furniture, medical care, employment, etc. Resettlement and adjustment services are also provided with an emphasis on helping these families become self-sufficient as quickly as possible.

Some food for thought: A few years ago, a poll was taken among refugees resettled in a major U.S. city. They were asked the following question: What was the most important factor in their resettlement experience that contributed to their overall success? The overwhelming response was: An American friend. If you are interested in being that friend – that key to a refugee’s success – please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Louisa Bifano at 520.721.4444 or vista.lss@gmail.com

Contact Us:

LSS-SW Refugee Program and the Asylum Program of Arizona are located at

710 E. Speedway Blvd. Tucson, Arizona 85719
APA line: 520-623-4555
Refugee line: 520-721-4444
Fax: 520-721-4479

The LSS-SW Multi-Cultural Division also has a Phoenix-based Refugee and Asylum program at:

2020 W. Indian School Rd. Suite E-26, Phoenix, Arizona 85015
Phone: 602-248-4400
FAX: 602-248-4968