This blog, Refugee Outreach, turned up in my alerts this morning. I didn’t go back to the beginning but it appears to be a group of students in an Anthropology Class, maybe at Loyola in Chicago, who are chronicling their experiences volunteering to help refugee families. There is nothing earth-shattering here, but anyone interested in understanding the refugee program better should read through this.
However, since we had addressed the overload of refugees and lack of proper care of refugees in Chicago previously, here, I was especially interested in the blog entry about an eviction notice involving refugees resettled by the Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago (ECAC).
The blog entry is entitled, “Situation gets real” and is dated 11/18/09:
This week at our family’s house was probably the first time we had a bad experience. Usually it’s all laughter, chatter and homework. This time was quite different. We get to their apartment, and “hang out” (a term we’ve been trying to teach the daughter for a while now) for a bit. After a few minutes, they hand us a few papers and ask if we would explain them.
Kate and I casually pick up the papers and see that it’s a copy of the daughter’s report card. We explain her grades and decide to talk to the teacher due to a discrepancy in grading. Then we go to the next sheet of paper, and much to our dismay, it was an eviction notice. I don’t think I’ve ever been more unsure of what to do in my entire life. I felt so helpless. Kate and I did what we could. She notified the ECAC and Dr. Amick.
We decided that it would be best if they went directly to the ECAC the next morning and showed them the letter. I suggested that maybe we should go with them. We tried to explain the severity of the situation without scaring the bejesus out of them, even though I knew Kate and I were very afraid.
For the next few days I was stressed out beyond belief. Usually the things I stress out about are silly compared to the severity of this situation. I was genuinely sad, afraid, confused and most of all, I felt so helpless. There really was nothing much Kate or I could do but wait, and the wait was probably the worst part.
But, good news a week later—saved from eviction for now and a grant to start a business:
After being stressed out about the eviction situation, we get some amazing news!! Alex and Dr. Amick let us know that everything is going to be ok. They also let us in on a wonderful idea they have thought about in order for our family to make money. The mother in our family knows how to sew and embroider very well and they are willing to give her a grant in order for her to start her own business. When I read the e-mail, I was ecstatic! It felt like a giant weight had been lifted.
Not only had I been worried about the eviction situation, but I was worried about the job situation as well. As of now, there has been no income, and since the mother knows very little English, I was afraid that she would have lots of trouble finding a job. Not only is she going to potentially have a job, but she is going to do something that she loves! I am so excited for this project to get started!
We went to the fabric store today with Alex and another representative from the ECAC to buy some fabric with the money that we raised and that our class was so generous to allow us to use. Thanks guys!
Soon, she is going to receive a donated sewing machine and her little business will start! I can’t wait to see what she can create!
Semester is over, does that mean the students just disappear? One student does say she hopes to continue helping her family after the holidays. That is good to hear.