Friday, Oct 8
Theme: Refugees
Service Challenge Objective: Giving Support to Those in Need: Journey's End
Advocacy Action: Attend a talk, Dr. Reitsma, Canisius professor and a speaker from the United Nations. This will take place in Bouwhuis Library on campus on Wednesday Oct. 6 1-2:30pm
On October 6th the Canisius College PA students attended Memories of Flight: Archiving Refugee Histories by speaker, Montserrat Canela Garayoa in the Bouwhuis Library.
"No one becomes a refugee by choice; but the “ rest of us can have a choice about how we help. ”
- Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Journey’s End Refugee Services is a nonprofit organization celebrating over 35 years of serving refugees in Buffalo. We are a Christian community-based organization with the mission of welcoming refugees without regard to ethnic origin, religion, gender or sexual orientation, or creed.
Refugees are a specially designated group of immigrants who have been determined by the UN and the US as “someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.” (UNHCR.org)
The resettlement process involves apartment selection and set up, airport reception and a warm cooked meal on the day of arrival, food and goods shopping, cultural orientation, medical and social service needs, enrollment in school for children, and all other aspects of life with which refugees need assistance upon arrival in Buffalo.
In addition to the resettlement process, we, along with many volunteers and interns, assist refugees with:
English Language Training
Youth & Adult Education
Vocational Training
Job Placement & Support
Citizenship Test Preparations
Immigration Legal Services
Interpretation
Home Tutoring
Young Adult Mentoring
Entrepreneurship
Agricultural Training
And more!
Journey’s End strives to provide refugees with the resources and support they need, to become successful, active, and contributing members of the Western New York community.
Volunteers and Interns play an integral role in our welcome process by personally demonstrating the care and compassion of the community at large for the clients they serve. Ways to help during the COVID-19 era include:
1:1 Adult ESL tutoring via Zoom
“Fun Friday” Group Conversation Practice
Hands-on work on our urban refugee farm
Naturalization Exam prep tutoring
RAMP Young Adult Mentoring Program (in person and online)
Donation Drives (Including personal hygiene & new household supplies, as well as warm winter outerwear – please email volunteer@jersbuffalo.org to discuss the most urgent needs)
Apartment set-ups (the Home Again Program)
Creative FUN-draising activities
For more information about our work or to learn more about volunteer or internship opportunities, please visit www.jersbuffalo.org or email volunteer@jersbuffalo.org
WELCOME KIT (Plan on family of 5-7. Many items can be purchased from the Dollar Store or Dollar Tree. Raid friends’ pantries! Scour online sales! Extras of toiletries and cleaning supplies are welcome and appreicated!)
On the Required List that We Must Provide by US Law:
Linen and Other Household Supplies
One bath towel and one wash cloth per person (must be new)
One set of comforter/sheets/pillowcase(s) per bed (Bedding in a Bag sets can be had cheaply online, esp. in clearance sales) (Twin set for children or single adults, and full/queen for 2 parents – these must be new)
Appropriate seasonal blankets (must be new) for each bed (light blanket for late spring/summer; comforter for fall/winter, or preferably both)
Electric alarm clock (no wind-up clocks) (can be used as long as it works)
Notebook, pens and/or pencils (one new set, and a cheap composition book or legal pad from Dollar Store is fine)
Two Lamps and package of new light bulbs (Lamps can be used as long as in excellent working condition and no loose parts)
Shower Curtain and Shower Liner and Hooks (new)
Hangers for closet (new)
Cleaning Supplies (everything should be new and in original packaging – Dollar Stores are great for some of these items, if people don’t have in their pantries at hom. Multiples of cleaning items like liquid all-purpose cleaner and dish soap and sponges, are most welcome!)
Dish Soap
Bathroom/kitchen cleanser (like Comet)
Liquid All-Purpose Cleaner like Fabuloso or Lysol
Powder laundry detergent
Sponges/Scouring Pads
Big package of paper towels
Two wastebaskets (big one for kitchen, small one for bathroom)
Box of large trash bags
Broom w/dustpan for broom and/or Mop w/bucket
Toilet Brush
Kitchen Items (most can be gently used but clean and not chipped preferred)
One place setting of tableware per person (fork, knife and spoon)
One place setting of dishes (plate, bowl and coffee/tea cup) per person (these do not have to match as long as they are not chipped! New dish sets are very much appreciated!)
At least one drinking glass per person (no chips, clean and like new – no plastic cups, wine glasses or beer mugs. New glass sets are very appreciated!)
Pots and pans (at least one sauce pan, frying pan and baking dish – no old Teflon or heavily used or scratched ones – new sets are very much preferred and appreciated)
Large pot for making soup, stews for bigger family
Mixing/serving bowls (no chips, do not have to match)
One set of kitchen/cooking utensils (new very much preferred)
One set of sharp knives (new)
Cutting board
Dish towel (new)
Two batteries for smoke alarm (new)
Package (or more) of paper napkins
Can opener (not electric, new preferred)
Scouring pads (new)
Toiletries (only in original packaging and new, and family-size please. Multiples of toiletries are most welcome!)
Large package (or more) of toilet paper
One bottle shampoo (or more)
Two bathroom soaps (one for sink and one for shower), per person
Toothpaste
One toothbrush per person
Hand and body lotion – family size
Deodorant (number based on size of family – for example, if there are three, then provide three deodorant sticks)
Box of sanitary napkins, for teens and young women (No Tampons!)
2 Boxes of Kleenex min.
Basic first aid kit
Disposable razors
Shaving cream
Hand sanitizer/facemasks/disinfectant wipes for kitchen/bathroom
Helpful Items NOT On Required List, but if you have them lying around and are in clean/excellent working condition or new, would be wonderful additions.
Small microwave (new is best; but will take used if clean and in good working condition)
Small-Medium flat screen TV with antenna and remote (new is best). Please make sure it is in good working order. Television is an excellent way for our clients to pick up English. We cannot accept old TVs that are not flat screens, due to space reasons.
Extension Cords (new preferred)
Dictionary
Electric Fan (if possible, several box fans for bedrooms)
City map
Extra alarm clock
Basic tool box
Tea Kettle (preferably new; no instant coffee makers)
Working toaster oven (used and clean is fine, but new is best)
Radio (plug-in)
Umbrella(s)
Family-sized rice cooker (clean and in excellent condition, if used; new preferred – all our families use rice in cuisine)
Large soup pot
Colander/strainer (new)
Plastic wrap and foil (new)
Bins for rice, tea, and sugar
Grocery Gift Card to SaveALot or Tops (any amount helps!)
Check to offset first month’s rent, if financial donations are made.
Please email kathy at kspillman@jersvolunteer.org if you have any questions or concerns. THANK YOU for this precious gift to a new refugee family!