Monthly Update

Hello Dedicated HNB Supporters,

Despite the status of new refugee arrivals being a holding pattern until October 1st (see below for more details,) Homes Not Borders has been stepping it up with our other programs and this past few weeks have been quite busy!

First, we held our first in person storytelling class - 15 hours over the course of a weekend with 10 amazing storytellers learning the craft (along with HNB's very own Amy Wrona, Amal Abuldood and - newest edition - Hana Omar.) I heard all of them during the mini-show at the end of the class, and they were AMAZING!! From Ezatullah reminiscing about how proud he was to take his sisters to school every day on his bike to Maria recalling all the notes she used to forge in high school just to get out of being embarrassed in English class. To see their stories and others, make sure to buy tickets to our storytelling show on October 10th (more info below).

Secondly, we held the volunteer training and kick off picnic for our next cohort of Newcomers to Neighbors. We have a great group with eight Afghan families (36 people in total) settling into life in the Maryland and 20 volunteers eager to help them navigate their new lives. The kick off picnic was especially great watching our volunteer, Jim, teach a few young Afghan girls how to properly throw a football and watching the Afghan woman proudly unpack their thermos of tea and fighting to be the first to serve Manizha, HNB's director of family services.

With all the craziness in the world, it is interactions like these above and bravery and honestly of all our storytellers that give me a glimmer of hope in humanity and future of this country and those that choose to call it home.

In Solidarity,

Laura Thompson Osuri

Executive Director

AUGUST IMPACT

53

individuals helped with household goods & furniture

11

set-ups completed

13

families supported with mentoring

$31,153

in household goods and furnishings passed along to refugees

465

volunteer hours

$2,493

in money to refugees (Moving Up Fund & Artisans earning)

REFUGEE & SIV UPDATE

While we have been busy helping recently resettled refugees thrive, still no new refugees have arrived, beside a handful of Afghan SIVs (those who aided the U.S. government in Afghanistan coming on their own. The talk of the town in the refugee services world is what will resettlement look like post-October 1st when the new fiscal year starts. I (Laura) have talked with several groups and have heard reports of several rumors, but we are all just bracing to find out what the final presidential determination (the number of refugees allowed in the country) is and what groups in will encompass. I will say, that it does not look good for those that have traditionally been refugees from worn-torn, humanitarian crisis zones like Venezuela, Sudan, Ethiopia or even Afghanistan.

And just to restate HNB's position: we serve refugees and forced migrants based on the UNCHR definition of such. And will continue to stick to this, even if the administration attempts to redefine what a refugee or asylum seeker is to better fit their goals an narrative.

HNB NEWS

Sponsor an Afghan SIV Family

After October 1st any Afghans SIVs (those that helped the U.S. troops in Afghanistan) will no longer get any support from the federal government. So we are working with other nonprofit groups to find them support. So please consider sponsoring a family as most SIVs want to come to the D.C. area.

There are no hard and fast requirements but its recommended that each group can:

• Raise $1,000 per individual in the family (and you will be match with an extra $1,000 per individual up to $5,000 - and the money you raise is tax deductible via WelcomeNST!)
• Find and prepare housing for the family’s arrival (HNB can help with this!)
• Commit to at least six months to help the family find employment, medical care, education, transportation, child care, financial management, legal assistance, etc

If you are interested, please join an virtual information session, TONIGHT Monday Sept 22nd at 6:30 PM, sponsored by our partner WelcomeNST. You can REGISTER FOR THE CALL HERE.

And you can also fill out THE SPONSOR INTEREST FORM to get more information (and mention you were connected by HNB) and, hopefully, get on track to sponsoring a family!

Auction Items or Sponsorships for Storytelling Show?

We are looking for sponsors for the event and items for our silent auction.

If you own a small business, being sponsor (at $1,000 to $10,000 levels) would be great to get your name out and/or also putting your items or service up for auction.

Or if you simply have season tickets to a sports team you are might not use or you own a vacation home with some open weekends - please consider donating!

Contact Amy Hoang Wrona - amy@homesnotborders.org - if interested.

3610 East Street, Landover, MD 20785

info@homesnotborders.org • www.homesnotborders.org