World Relief - Refugee Resettlement Team

Do you want to be part of our team? Wheaton Bible Church will be resettling two families in Sept. 2008. There is an orientation on August 17, 12:30-2:00 pm, Lower Level 206. Lunch is provided. Please RSVP to Chris McElwee, 630.876.6624. This is only an orientation there is no obligation. If you have forgotten to sign up please join us anyway, we will have enough food for you!

World Relief DuPage is one of several agencies that contracts with the US Government to resettle refugees in the US. What makes World Relief unique is their vision to work with churches to meet the growing needs of refugees in the US and around the world.

Wheaton Bible Church is partnering with World Relief to help resettle families in DuPage County. These families have been living in the worst possible situations for a long time, some for their whole lives.

Time commitment is as little as one hour a week on up. Here are the descriptions of some of the roles you can play on a refugee resettlement team:

Host Family –

The host family allows the refugee family to live in their house for 5-7 days. This allows the family some stability while the apartment is acquired. The family will be busy each day going to appointments and getting paper work done. Most of this is handled by other members of the team.

Home set-up –

This person or persons helps to collect items needed for an apartment. Beds, furniture, plates, cookware, etc…

Medical –

The medical team assists the family in making medical appointments and helping the family communicate with doctors and nurses. An interpreter is provided if needed. The medical team also teaches the family about nutrition and hygiene. These will be unfamiliar concepts to some refugees.

Community and Home Orientation –

This person or persons introduces the family to their new home, safety, use of appliances, maintenance, cleaning, etc…. They also help the family familiarize themselves with their new community. They help to explain US cultural practices and norms as well.

Transportation –

This person or persons help to provide transportation to Social Security offices, grocery stores, ESL registration, and initial health screening for the first month the family is here. They also help to explain public transportation and assist with driving classes and education about driving in the US.

Employment –

This person or person works with World Relief to provide job leads, practice interviews, and coordinates job placement. They would also work with family members desiring higher education options.

ESL –

This person provides assistance in getting the family to ESL classes, tutoring and friendship with the family.

Education. –

This person or persons, help to explain the education process, tutor children in school work, practice English with the children, and help with any extracurricular activities.

If you are interested in hearing more about this team of people, please contact Chris McElwee cmcelwee@wheatonbible.org or Sandy Goetz, sandygoetz@sbcglobal.net.