In January, ICSJ made a donation to financially co-sponsor the resettlement of a Nicaraguan family of five.
Here is the latest update from RefugeeOne on the Andino Ramirez Family! You can read the Pope Francis’ most recent letter addressing migration in the U.S. HERE.
The Andino Ramirez family has done a fantastic job of utilizing RefugeeOne’s services to build an independent life here in Chicago. We’re inspired by their adjustment and excited to share these updates with you all.
As mentioned in the previous update* the mother participated in (and officially graduated!) our Cultural Orientation program. She dedicated herself to taking in all that she could from the course. In fact, she was the only one who brought a journal and took detailed notes! Her determination has been evident in every aspect of her resettlement process.
The mother also showed resiliency in her job hunt. Over the past few months, she worked closely with our Employment team to find work. They attended job fairs together and applied for numerous positions near the family’s home. Our Employment team noted she was excellent in interviews and answered questions thoroughly. Today, we’re proud to report that she gained employment from one of those interviews! After a few weeks on the job, she’s enjoying her new position and is eager to improve in her role.
Though the mother and her three children have a permanent status in the U.S., she still feels deep fear of deportation and immigrant detention for her family and especially her husband—fears that many of our clients share. We’re glad she opted into our Wellness services to have space to discuss these anxieties with one of RefugeeOne’s licensed therapists.
On the school front, all went well for the children at parent-teacher conferences. The kids are finishing up the year well and preparing for some summer fun! Many schools offer summer programs for students, and once RefugeeOne learns which school programs they’re participating in, we’ll invite them to our summer programming that works with their schedules.
Thank you again for helping newcomers find their pathway to safety in Chicago. Your donation not only makes a direct impact on the Andino Ramirez family, but also bolsters this community of welcome. We’re grateful to be in this work together!