JUL 26 2022
With the continued increase in global conflict, in 2022, our world is a place where 100 million people have been forced to flee their homes. This is an increase from 89 million a year ago, which includes over 6 million people in Ukraine who have had to flee their homes. The majority of these displaced people are women and children. Northwest Arkansas is a wonderful and welcoming community that can provide the safety and refuge displaced families desperately need.
Ukraine
The US created a way for 100,000 Ukrainians to come to the US through a new immigration pathway offering humanitarian parole called Uniting for Ukraine. Unlike the refugee resettlement pathway which connects refugee families with resettlement agencies, this program offers individuals or community groups in America the opportunity to sponsor a Ukrainian individual or family directly with the opportunity for a temporary stay in the US for up to two years. Sponsors commit to providing financial support and arranging housing. The platform welcome.us offers an online training and connection for groups who want to sponsor a family through Uniting for Ukraine.
While Ukrainians arriving through Uniting for Ukraine are not eligible for the Reception and Placement program, as of May 2022, Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees may access other refugee benefits. At Canopy, Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees can access one of two employment assistance programs:
1. Matching Grant services include financial assistance, intensive job search services and case management for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees in Northwest Arkansas, pending slot availability.
2. Refugee Support Services provides virtual assistance and referrals available to Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees statewide.
To date, Canopy’s Ukraine Response team has met with 5 families and their sponsors living in Arkansas through Uniting for Ukraine. Any Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees in Arkansas or their sponsors are encouraged to reach out to Canopy and we will provide a screening for service eligibility.
Afghanistan
Between October 2021 and April 2022, Canopy resettled 138 Afghan Allies evacuated by the United States through Operation Allies Welcome. This tremendous resettlement effort demonstrates the values and generosity of the Northwest Arkansas community from the realty companies and private landlords that rented to Afghan families to the hundreds of community volunteers and all those who donated Welcome Kits to furnish 54 homes! Canopy was acknowledged by our national agency, the Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, as one of the most successful sites in quickly connecting Afghan Allies with permanent housing. Across the country, Afghan families spent 3-6 months moving from extended stay hotels to temporary housing, and thousands are still in a temporary housing situation, keeping families in a state of limbo. Prompt settling in permanent housing plus services by Canopy’s exceptional Employment Team has resulted in 79% of households employed and financially self-sufficient by their sixth month and 100% employed and financially self-sufficient by their eighth month. In comparison, the national average is only 35% self-sufficient by month six and 57% self-sufficient by month eight.
Neighbors, colleagues and classmates are encouraged to continue to show support and compassion as most of our new Afghan neighbors have families back in Afghanistan facing a severe famine and economic crisis.
Refugee Arrivals Continue
While Canopy welcomes and serves families from Ukraine and Afghanistan, we have also resettled 61 refugees this year from Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Syria. Before the year’s end, we hope to welcome the families from Afghanistan, Guatemala, Democratic Republic of Congo and Syria who have been assigned to travel to Fayetteville, some of whom would be reuniting with family living in NWA after being separated for several years.
Here are some of the ways to support refugees resettling in NWA:
- Have an affordable apartment or home to rent in NWA? Contact housing@canopynwa.org!
- Welcome a family through a co-sponsor team! Find out more or sign up for a co-sponsor training!
- Kids are excellent welcomers! Check out “A Helpful, Hopeful Guide to Talking to Kids about Welcoming Refugees” to guide conversations about the refugee crisis with your child in an age appropriate way.
- Share Canopy’s social media so more people become aware of refugee resettlement efforts in Northwest Arkansas. Check out our Facebook, Instagram, or Linkedin
- Donate. We accept gift cards in any amount that can be used to purchase home furnishings and supplies or groceries and financial contributions.
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