Refugee and Immigrant Connections

“Expenses advertising 233 supplies 448 wrd supplies 2,501 travel 920 conference and meetings 87 insurance 1,123 auto insurance 2,828 wrd insurance 392 business registration/lic 10 meals/meeting expenses 140 bank, cc process charges 22 vehicle expenses 608 refugee activity fees 264 wrd other program exp 300 taxes, licenses, permits 421 equipment rental, r&m 1,869 gifts and goodwill 175 non-investment depreciation 961 total 13,302”

“Furniture & equipment 1,657 1,657 less accumulated depreciation 1,229 1,391 vehicle 5,000 5,000 less accumulated depreciation 3,000 3,800 total 2,428 1,466”

“Accounts payable and accrued expenses 950 906”

“Refugee connections spokane (rcs) is a non-profit organization which works to identify and address barriers to the successful resettlement of refugees and immigrants in the spokane area. Rcs also strives to increase awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the cultures and traditions, resettlement experiences, skills, abilities, and contributions of refugees and immigrants. This means we work with refugee communities and other refugee service providers to develop projects, programs, and resources which benefit refugees and immigrants in the spokane area.”

“Refugee elder outreach and title v program this program is dedicated to the empowerment of refugees and immigrants who came to the united states later in life. In addition to ensuring that elders are included in other rcs projects, rcs coordinates activities and events specifically tailored for refugee and immigrant elders. These include: basic esl classes; civic-oriented "settling into spokane" field trips; training in the use of public transportation; nutrition education; and participation in a community garden. Refugee elder/immigrant senior outreach connects clients with esl classes, senior service workshops, civic and cultural field trips, citizenship classes and elder groups with art and music and food. We focus on holistic health, with the goal to enable participants to become citizens.”

“World refugee day refugee connections spokane (rcs) takes the lead in coordinating with nearly 12 other local organizations to host a community-wide celebration of local refugees for the annual united nations world refugee day. World refugee day celebration has increased its participation, gathering 700 attendees with a naturalization ceremony, children's activities, international performances, awards ceremony, international food, cultural marketplace, and community agency fair to raise awareness and education about refugees impact in spokane.”

“American law and justice workshop american law & justice workshop addresses the need for refugees and immigrants to understand civic responsibilities. We are renewing this program with partners in community agencies and churches. Law and justice workshop events are dedicated to: 1) fostering a positive view of the u.s. Legal system, given that many refugees come from places where authority is a symbol of threat; 2) explaining the purpose of our criminal justice system and how it functions; 3) identifying key civil rights and liberties; and 4) providing information - in writing - to each participant about where to seek help in protecting those rights. Rcs has collaborated with our community partners to present three workshops since 2013. Police potluck rcs coordinates with the spokane police department to bring officers together with refugee and immigrant communities for an informal meal. These gatherings promote positive relationships and understanding between spd officers and the refugee and immigrant communities. Translator/interpreter course to increase the availability of certified language interpreters and translators, rcs has collaborated with community partners to re-establish regular language certification testing in eastern washington, and to prepare bilingual refugees and immigrants for this test. Through our advocacy, the washington state department and social health services (dshs) now offers regular language certification testing in eastern washington. In addition, we have worked with community volunteers to present a course to prepare bilingual refugees and immigrants to take this test. This means more interpreters will be available to help those refugees and immigrants with limited english skills to communicate with service providers. Patient passports patient passports, in 10 languages including english, contain refugee and immigrant contact information, medical providers, medications, allergies, and other information needed for patient visits to clinics, hospitals, and emergency rooms. Wsu medical school pharmacy students help with outreach and distribution. Patient passports help people with limited english skills to communicate with health care providers to enhance their health and well-being. We make this resource available nationwide. Refugee kids connect refugee kids connect mentors refugee/immigrant youth in apartment complexes through outdoor activities, games, arts and crafts, stem challenges, homework help and lifeskills workshops. Our pilot is successfully branching out to 4 additional sites. Refugee harvest refugees' harvest mobilizes refugees to glean produce donated from spokane neighbors and farmers distributing it back to the community. Rcs relied heavily on the many volunteers for many functions of the organization. There are about 100 volunteers who provide support. As a young organization, volunteers are essential to the organization carrying out the organations programs.”