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Catherine McAuley Center Welcomes a Rush of Afghan Refugees in Cedar Rapids

3/14/2022

 
After the Taliban-takeover in Afghanistan forced thousands of families to flee from their homes and seek resettlement, RISE AmeriCorps Members and staff at Catherine McAuley Center (CMC) are helping Afghan refugees adjust to their new lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

In affiliation with the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), CMC is responsible for resettlement services to support refugees during their first months in the country. From coordinating housing to medical assistance to cultural orientation, CMC is the official guide in Cedar Rapids for refugees abruptly dropped into a foreign land and culture.

RISE AmeriCorps Member David Clower said the number of Afghan refugees arriving in Cedar Rapids has poured in like a tidal wave, in comparison to the usual trickle of refugees resettled from mostly Central Africa. During just a two week period in November 2021, over 80 Afghan refugees arrived in Cedar Rapids. In all, Clower said 250 Afghan refugees have been welcomed by CMC from mid-November to mid-February. In contrast, CMC often resettles only about 150 clients over a year.

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RISE AmeriCorps Members with EMBARC Help the Karenni Community Gain Citizenship

3/14/2022

 
Since January, two RISE AmeriCorps Members have been essential in helping a group of refugees from Burma on their way to U.S. citizenship. Thu Meh and Pray Meh, who serve with EMBARC, host a weekly class to help fellow members of the Karenni community excel on their interviews and tests.

Thu Meh said the citizenship class is extremely important for her community, because passing the interview and civics test are required in order to be awarded citizenship. Citizenship has many advantages for immigrants and refugees living in the U.S., including easier access to public benefits, the freedom to travel abroad, the ability to vote, family reunification for their loved ones in other countries, and more. 
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Karenni community members meet to prepare for the U.S. citizenship test and interview, with help from RISE AmeriCorps Members Pray Meh and Thu Meh.

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    ​About the Blog

    RISE AmeriCorps Members uplift and empower Iowa's refugee and immigrant communities. This blog was created with the intent of sharing these valuable success stories with the public.

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EMBARC | RISE AmeriCorps Program

4801 Franklin Ave.
Suite 1159
Des Moines, IA 50310


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  • Home
  • About RISE
    • Our Mission
    • Our Impact
    • Our AmeriCorps Members >
      • '21-'22 Members
    • Our Host Sites
    • Our Leadership
  • Resources
    • Timesheets
    • For Members >
      • Member Benefits >
        • Health Resources
        • Education Award
        • Living Allowance
        • Loan Forbearance
      • Enrollment and Exit
    • Training Opportunities
    • For Supervisors
    • Reporting
  • Stories
    • Blog
    • In the News
    • Stories App
  • Apply!
    • Become a Member >
      • Why Join RISE?
    • Become a Mentor
    • Become a Host Site
  • Contact RISE