| Stoughton Resettlement Assistance Program - 2022 |
Amount Funded: $5,000.00 |
| I believe that the positive end impact to the greater Stoughton area is fundamental to what we are doing. Asking for our community’s help in providing these newcomers a new, safe start to life is a powerful opportunity for all of us. Residents, groups, organizations and churches have found solidarity in a cause to think globally and act locally. We have discovered a passion in our community to support these families who have already lost loved ones, have left many of them behind, have had to leave pets and all possessions, and who have to start their lives again.
The funds we are requesting would be used beginning in November to support the incoming families (October, 2 families ; November, 2 families), as well as to provide continued support of the four current families. This includes paying rent, utilities, cell phones that work here, clothing not available from the clothing pantry, food not provided by the pantries, transportation costs, and researching low-cost immigration resources. From the budget you can see that we estimate $2070 for each new family we resettle until they begin work. In addition, we would love the kids to be able to do tumbling classes, swim lessons, open swim, and purchase needed items not provided by other organizations.
With each family there is a gathering event within a month of their arrival to welcome them. This gives volunteers and the community a chance to meet them and be a further resource.
SRAP has planned additional informational and fundraising ideas. One is a Jeffersonian dinner that will allow for discussion and interaction of current events in Ukraine and how this impacts everyone around the world. We are discussing an art fundraiser, as well as an event to celebrate Ukrainian foods and customs. We will continue to inform and update community groups and others about the impact that their volunteerism has, as well as their donations.
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| The overarching goal is to assist refugee families to resettle in their own fully furnished apartments in Stoughton, WI and to provide them with the help to integrate into our community, schools, jobs, churches and activities. The financial assistance for rent, utilities, transportation, immigration costs, clothing, food and personal items will assist 8 Ukrainian families (at the time of this request) as they resettle, apply for work permits, and get jobs so that they can partially or fully pay for these expenses. Currently, there are 15 named committee volunteers working on this project, each with different responsibilities for assisting the families. But this project has required a village to pull off, and our community has rallied to the cause in so many ways. In reviewing the time commitment for the first four resettled families, these individuals and many other community helpers who came together to support them have given well over 300 dedicated volunteer hours. As we begin the second phase with the four additional families, we can only expect the same, as well as the continued support of the families already here.
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