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Refugee�Assistance�Encourage hope

What is a refugee?

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• Someone who has been forced to leave their home country because they are unsafe there. They may be fleeing violence, war, severe persecution, or consistent human rights violations.

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• They may be fleeing armed conflict, violence, persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

• Their own government cannot or will not protect them.

• Most have to leave their homes very quickly and with very few belongings.

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• They usually have to travel long distances to find safety and end up living in crowded, unsanitary refugee camps or other temporary shelters.

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• They may be called asylum seekers until granted refugee status. 

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Historically, the USA has welcomed an average of 125,0000 refugees every year, until recent years where administrations have dropped numbers as low as 5,000.

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Points to note:

• There has never been a terrorist attack as a result of welcoming refugees through USA’s well-vetted program.

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• The Refugee Resettlement Agency along with USAID only uses 1% of the Federal budget.

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• The current administration has suspended live-giving programs like food/water distribution and necessary medical aid.

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• All long standing bipartisian US-sposored refugee programs have been formally closed. US has stopped accepting refugees and the programs that help them integrate into communities.

HOW CAN WE ASSIST:

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Create a timeframe to write and call our elected officials: a strategic plan to voice

our beliefs concerning the lives refugees, the hungry, thirsty and medically fragile.

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Contact Representatives in a cohesive, concentrated effort to let them know what their constituents (us) believe about assisting refugees and vulnerable.

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We have more power than we think. Teamwork makes a difference. Actions united in defending the vulnerable is a moral obligation.

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Who do we contact? CO Representatives as a united group.

Please check flyer to contact Sec of State Marco Rubio and the White House.

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https://www.bennet.senate.gov/contact/write-to-michael/

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https://www.hickenlooper.senate.gov/email-john/

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https://hurd.house.gov/contact/email-me

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How should we contact them?�

Consider using the template when writing or calling a representativeoffice.

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Hello, my name is_________. I am (what do you do?) in Pagosa Springs, in the great state of Colorado.

I also attend (church) and serve/volunteer with (give example of how you are involved with community. Thank you for all you do to make our state a wonderful place to live and raise a family.

I am (calling/writing) to support the private sponsorship program overseen by Welcome Corps. Our local hosting team completed the training that equipped them to welcome refugees from around the world who arrive in USA and have a legal pathway to citizenship. Private sponsorship allowed them to build thoughtful friendships with the families they have hosted. They shared life experiences like celebrating holidays, birthdays, attending medical appointments, and church together. They enjoyed taking responsibility for helping families feel safe in the United States via legal pathways.  

Our local hosting team followed a legal process to bring people fleeing crisis to our community. I am devastated the opportunity to welcome refugees has now been suspended by the new administration and puts people at risk of life-threatening situations once more. I believe USA, especially our local team in Pagosa Springs team, can faithfully welcome those who need a permanent, secure home. We’ve already done this process successfully two times.

I am asking you to please ensure refugee sponsorship programs reopen as soon as possible so that families can continue to find security through safe, orderly, legal pathways to the United States.

Template regarding USAID and survival assistance:

Same format to introduce yourself.

You are part of a church (name) that helps operate a food pantry and know of local not-for-profits that donate to alleviate food insecurity in our community and in various African nations.

You also understand financial assets, paying bills and the requirement for government agencies to be audited. Include that you believe the government should take responsibility for how and where tax money is spent. Giving is being generous and a wise steward.

Yet, the recent audit of USAID should not be at the expense of depriving people in extreme need from the basic resources to survive - food, water and mandatory medical care.

We were blessed to be born in a country that has sufficient supplies, but imagine not eating tomorrow, or not having potable water or medicine for an infected wound? Shouldn’t the world expect a nation that calls itself “Christian” to do the right thing the right way and send life-saving aid in a timely manner? It is our moral obligation to assist the vulnerable, regardless of borders.

Then thank the representative for taking measures to release aid for people in desperate need of life-saving measures. That’s how you want your tax dollars spent.

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����Questions?���Comments?���Let’s make a plan!��1. Who’s involved? Anyone who is part of the Pagosa community.��2. Dates to blitz phone calls � and letters/emails? ��3. Meet together and/or follow up with texts saying, � “I did it!”?�

Among the Least

PO Box 3543

Pagosa Springs, CO 81147

www.amongtheleast.org