We are excited to let UUCP know that the first mighty refugee support team (Bonnie Frasier, Cathy Kim, Cheryl Thomas, Gill Hamilton (lead), and Maribeth Gallagher) has met the refugee family they will be supporting for the next three months.
The family is from Afghanistan, arrived in the U.S. only 3 weeks ago, and consists of a mother, father, and 9 children ages 2 to 19! They are a lovely family, and our first meeting was a joy. Even the 2yo shook hands with each one of us!
They are living in a 3-bedroom apartment provided by Lutheran Social Services of of the Southwest for three months, with the goal that the father and 19yo son, both skilled carpenters, will find work by that time. Other family members will attend school. The girls were unable to go to school in Afghanistan and are very excited: the goals of the older girls are to be a cardiologist, a neurologist, an engineer, and a pilot.
If members of the congregation wish to contribute Walmart gift cards of any amount, that would be welcome but not necessary. Just send an email to refugee@uucp.org.
We do not want furniture or household goods at this time, as the apartment is small and preferable for them to choose their own items. If anyone has work for a skilled carpenter in a company that will provide the tools, that of course would be of interest.
We thank UUCP for their support and encouragement and are thrilled to embark on this venture!
For more information, contact refugee@phoenixuu.org .