Catholic Charities, which has handled the vast majority of the refugee resettlement here in Amarillo, had their funding pulled as part of the government’s recent budget cuts. As a result, they had to lay off 26 staff members and put a pause on their refugee resettlement services. This affects many of the hard-working refugees we know and love who live in our apartment communities. So we plan to step up and fill in a few gaps where we’re able to.
1) They had been offering tutoring after school at the North Grand Villas for the refugee kids at both there and Cathy’s Pointe (next door) every Wednesday afternoon. This had been a pretty vital connection and help for those families – 20 plus kids come each week for homework help and learning activities. We fully plan to keep that going. One of the young men who helped tutor (and was let go)is a refugee himself who is currently in graduate school. We’re contracting with him on a part-time basis to working to put together a team of volunteers who can help him each week.
2) Catholic Charities has been a vital resource helping refugees navigate a new culture, learn to pay bills, enroll children in school, etc. Recently settled families no longer have the financial assistance to help them as they look for jobs, fill out paperwork, etc. So we anticipate we’ll be relied on more than ever by some of these families. We want to make sure they’re stable and taken care of so they can focus on getting to work and adapting.
We know we can’t help everyone or solve big problems being faced. But we know we can be prepared to meet a few small needs right in front of us. It’s why we’re here.
If you’d like to help us with these new unforeseen challenges, please consider contributing to our “Fill in the Gaps Fund” and help us continue to Feed, Clothe, and Love our new neighbors! Click the button at the top of this page!