Dear friends,
Today, I am going to answer a question I hear a lot: How does the fact that there are no refugees or immigrants coming to our country and many who are here legally are being deported affect the mission of Refuge?
Simple answer: It doesn’t.
As you know, our mission, which includes a workforce development program, welcoming environment creation, and accurate storytelling, is predicated upon the theme of welcome. We have negligible (more like zero!) power over how the United States welcomes the most vulnerable in the world or how the discussion about refugee resettlement ensues in the public square.
But we know that heartily welcoming anyone who is here now is essential for our communities to be whole.
We want to be a bastion of hope, therefore we are positioning ourselves to welcome when the doors open to newcomers again. But in some ways, the landscape around us has not changed all that much. In fact, deportations have never not been a looming fear, it’s just that the unpredictable nature of things has indeed ramped up.
There are still displaced people here who need what we offer: employment and training that uplifts and expands their lives, a place to be safe while drinking coffee or tea with neighbors, and a storyline that delights in their very existence instead of maligning it. These are real and enduring offerings. And we are privileged to make them with our refugee and immigrant team and with you.
And we are committed to real people more than we are committed to issues.
Still here,
Kitti
P.S. –
What to expect in the near future:
Fewer pictures or specific stories for now. Every expert in policy tells us this is best for now in order to keep our people safe.
Here’s what not to expect:
We are not here to be shrill nor are we here to engender fear. For example, I wrote this email last Thursday morning after listening to this podcast, but I decided to wait to send it until the normal Weekly Pour day. You get enough reactionary noise in your inbox! I feel enough reactionary feelings! Breathe, friends, breathe. Peace, friends, peace.
P.S.S. –
We’ve re-added the “share this email” button. Several of you shared or posted last week’s email called “Smoldering with Gratitude,” and I thank you!!
P.S.S.S. –
There are FOUR ways you can engage with our aromatic, tasty form of welcome in the ATL (pictured below): Refuge Clarkston, Refuge Midtown, Refuge Norcross, and Refuge Mobile Coffee Service!
