Dear family, friends, and my dear colleagues,

As you know, I am so fortunate to work for the YMCA International Services where we serve vulnerable newcomers (refugees, Afghan SIVs, trafficking victims.) If you have met the clients we serve, then you know how easy it is to love them.

If you have NOT met any of our clients before, give me two minutes: I was visiting with two clients earlier in the week, and as clients frequently do, they shared something that stuck with me. They fled South Sudan during the most recent civil war, and lived for 10 years in a refugee camp in a neighboring country. The two oldest "kids" are just over 18. They both speak intermediate English, and I was able to talk with them easily as long as I was careful with my word choices. (They speak three other languages in addition to English, so they have already blown way past me.) They arrived three weeks ago from the refugee camp, just in time to see a rare Houston snowstorm.

When my coworker and I asked them about their needs, they did not mention much. They shared that most of their basic needs were met already. They have a safe home, electricity, beds, blankets, and food. We asked a few more questions, and they finally mentioned their shoes. Both were wearing shoes that looked like crocs. The shoes were admittedly well-worn shoes, and one had a piece missing from the side. They explained – they both need to get jobs right away to support themselves and their family. The clock is ticking, and three weeks have flown by. They each have just the one pair of shoes, and they are worried that the well-worn shoes might keep them from getting jobs.

This is what 99.99% of our refugee clients are like when they arrive here. They need short-term help to get started. They have had years to dream about possible futures. If they get cleared and chosen to resettle in a safe country like ours, they do not waste time.

Help us finish the task we were given before refugee resettlement was halted. Our immediate need is $75,000 to help provide rent and utility assistance to the last group of refugees who arrived to the US before the policy changes. As the situation evolves, our need will likely increase. Any amount that you are able to donate would be incredible and will go to our newly arrived clients.

Sincerely,

Claire

Claire Poff, LCSW

Senior Program Director

Case Management, Preferred Communities, Refugee Health Promotion & Trafficked Persons Assistance Program

YMCA INTERNATIONAL SERVICES

3110 Hayes Rd., Suite 300, Houston, TX 77082 and

7850 Howell Sugar Land Rd, Houston, TX 77083

Zoom Phone (936) 259-0669| https://ymcahouston.org/locations/international