Looking for a helping hand
Allison Clarke, posted Jan. 30, 2007
Imagine not knowing how to work the hot and cold water knobs on a faucet or not knowing how to use a microwave. Picture coming from a country where there is no schooling and where police can beat and torture you at will. Now imagine being thrown into the fast-paced and free lifestyle of the U.S.
The Refugee and Immigration Services, under the Catholic Diocese of Jefferson City, helps ease these transitions and assists families with their needs to become functioning members of society.
Funded by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, donations and state grants, RIS furnishes and pays housing for up to five months. In that time period, volunteers and employees work with the refugees and immigrants with whatever they need to live in the U.S. Though RIS is under the Catholic Diocese, religion is not a factor when coming to the program.
“In our program, we are looking to make the refugees self-sufficient,” said Senad Music, case manager and office coordinator for RIS in Columbia. “We are trying to make them do that because, in America, nobody likes you if you stay on public [aid] too long or if you don’t make money for too long.”
From the moment a refugee arrives in America, a volunteer or employee of RIS guides the newcomers until they are completely adjusted to life in the U.S. Medical needs, English lessons, job placement, driving lessons — anything someone coming from a refugee camp or oppressed country could need — RIS takes care of free of charge.
“For example, [we have] a girl who is coming Feb. 6. She is From Liberia. She has family here. We contact her family and look for volunteers who can help her when she is here,” Music said. “We are making plans. We look in her history, what she is [going to] need, where she [will] live, how her work history is. When we get all that information, we start making appointments and getting ready for her.”
Adjusting to cultural changes between the U.S. and war-torn, impoverished or oppressed countries such as Uzbekistan, Russia, Sudan and Somalia are very difficult and long processes, according to Music who fled Bosnia 10 years ago. Everyday things for people born in the U.S. are new concepts to many foreigners.
“One time I saw [immigrant] men smoking by a sign that said ‘Smoke-Free.’ They didn’t know any better,” Music said. “They thought they could smoke for free. Of course, I went and corrected them, but they didn’t know.”
RIS always is in need of volunteers because of the detailed services they provide. The organization needs people to help with everything from moving furniture to helping new students with homework or working around the office.
“I go over and sometimes just get to have dinner with them,” said Jonathan Morrand, a volunteer at RIS. “It’s nice for them just to have a contact.”
Music said the main qualities RIS looks for in volunteers are reliability and honesty about when they can and can’t come in. The time commitment is up to the volunteer. Music said he understands being in school or having a job and said volunteers can set their RIS schedules as needed.
“I come in when I can,” Morrand said. “If I get a call from Senad, I meet with him as soon as I can. If I get a call from a family, I meet with them as soon as I can.”
Anyone who wants to volunteer or apply for an internship can do so after passing a background check.
“It’s an amazing experience,” Morrand said. “I’ve met people from all over the world and eaten some amazing food.”
Interested persons may contact RIS at 573-442-7568.
“Although Mizzou is really diverse and you can meet people from all different cultures and backgrounds, this is more personal and you really get a feel for what their culture is like,” Morrand said.
