Celebrate Hope. with Interfaith Works Center for New Americans

Transcription

1 Celebrate Hope with Interfaith Works Center for New Americans

2 President s Foreword The Center for New Americans is a program through Interfaith Works that is responsible for successfully resettling people who have gone through the vetting process and have been selected to begin their new lives here in Syracuse. The staff greet people upon arrival at the airport, find and furnish initial apartments, assist new arrivals in preparing for (and finding) employment and medical care, and helping them understand their new culture. Over the past several months our executive cabinet has spent time learning about the programs and services that Interfaith Works offers. Hearing the stories of war and fear from the refugees gives you a new perspective of true hardship. At our project kickoff meeting, we heard from two former refugees that have lead successful lives here in our community thanks to support and friendship they found at Interfaith Works. One of the things they said that they appreciated the most was a renewed feeling of HOPE for themselves and their families. For more information on the programs and services offered at Interfaith Works visit: In this toolkit we have outlined 6 hope based initiatives to help our members become familiar with and engaged in the success of our newest neighbors: We can learn from our New American neighbors in our Stories of Hope Program. We can engage with our New Americans at our family oriented Hockey for Hope program We can offer our New American s opportunities with our Work for Hope program. We can serve our New American s by participating in our Serve for Hope program We can provide for our New American s by donating time at the Duck Race to End Racism or by donating any of the items on our Gather for Hope list. We can celebrate our New Americans and Interfaith Works at our Celebrate Hope wrap up party. We are looking forward to partnering with Interfaith Works, sharing hope and connecting with CVC members on another great signature project. If you have questions and would like to learn more, or if your company is interested in participating, please feel to reach out to any of the contacts listed in this toolkit. Sincerely, CVC CVC President Interfaith Works Volunteer and Donor Coordinator Daryl Files dfiles@interfaithworkscny.org (315) x208 CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 2

3 HISTORY About Interfaith Works InterFaith Works was founded in 1976 to build bridges of understanding among people of different religions and across racial divides. In the U.S. climate of concern for interracial understanding during the decades of civil rights activity, InterFaith Works aligned to fulfill this important function. The agency was also ahead of the curve on creating interreligious understanding, working first among Catholics, Protestants, and Jews, and then expanding to include Muslims, Sikh, Buddhist, Mormon, Baha is, and other faith groups. The need for this work heightened after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and continues to serve as a vehicle to address hate towards those who are considered different. Over the years, the agency added social service programs to address the needs of people who are vulnerable, low-income, targets of oppression, and refugees who arrive through the federal refugee resettlement programs, fleeing war, political repression, and famine. Programs to address the needs of frail elderly, of those in prisons, hospitals, and nursing homes, and programs to address hunger and housing have been a part of InterFaith Works. These programs will continue to be a part of our human service work. In the coming decade, the core of the agency s work will focus on creating dialogue on community issues and promote the racial and religious diversity of our community. MISSION STATEMENT InterFaith Works of Central New York, through education, service and dialogue, affirms the dignity of each person and every faith community and works to create relationships and understanding among us. Interfaith Works Programs Center for New Americans Center for Dialogue Senior Services Program Interfaith Initiatives Program VISION STATEMENT InterFaith Works builds bridges of understanding to affirm the dignity of all people in Central New York. Working with the different faith communities and the diversity of the region s people, we address deeply embedded social divisions. Informed and influenced by the values and ethics of the faith traditions, we work with the community to find common ground on its issues. Using the tools of interfaith and cross-cultural dialogue, we create life-changing experiences that lead to actions for the creation of a more equitable and loving community. Daryl Files dfiles@interfaithworkscny.org (315) x208 CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 3 CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 3

4 Hockey for Hope Event Details: Friday April 14th 6 or 7 PM War Memorial Arena Syracuse, NY The Syracuse Crunch have generously offered us 50 tickets to the April 14th Ice Hockey game against the Binghampton Senators! The CVC will host members on a first come first serve basis to join our New Americans for pre-game snacks in the event room at the War Memorial Arena. Volunteer Options Available: Set up the event room. Donate snacks. Be a facilitator for the event, creating ice breakers and possibly game ideas. CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 4

5 Stories of Hope Throughout this initiative, we will offer opportunities to hear from some of our New American s and their journey to Syracuse. These stories really bring to life the impact that Interfaith Works has on their lives and on the growth and success of our diverse city. Consider attending these events and also get involved by hosting a new American in your corporate office. Where do our New American s come from? What forced them to leave their homes? How have they adjusted to life in Syracuse? How can you help? Get answers to all of these questions by attending our Stories of Hope. Event Details: Look for upcoming event details How Can You Help? Attend our events and share them as widely as possibly. Communicate what you learn at these events to your networks to help spread the positive impacts our New Americans have on our community Create your own event at your company to introduce your employees and engage them in volunteer opportunities with Interfaith Works Daryl Files dfiles@interfaithworkscny.org (315) x208 CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 5 CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 5

6 Gather for Hope Can you imagine leaving everything you have and everything you have known to pursue a better life? If all of a sudden you were forced to leave your home, your family and friends, your routine, your life, for something completely unknown to you, what would you need to begin that new life? Here is a list of the items families need as they settle in. Winter Coats Home Decor Childrens Books Umbrellas Personal Care Volunteer Grocery Gift Cards Dish Soap & Detergent Towels Blankets Diapers If you prefer to jump in and be a part of things instead providing donations, consider joining our volunteer team at Interfaith Work s annual Duck Race to End Racism. Event Details Saturday, June 10th 12-4 pm Syracuse s Inner Harbor Syracuse, NY How Can You Help? Consider committing to a goal of items per company or person. They could be all the same or a variety of the requested donations. Reach out to your company partners and ask them to contribute to the goodie bag project. Put together a gift basket from your company and attach a logo and small note. CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 6

7 Service for Hope Create a day of service for the Center for New Americans. Our goal is to get at least 12 members to create their own day of service with Interfaith Works over the course of the next year. Daryl Files the Volunteer and Donor Coordinator at Interfaith Works has a wealth of ideas that you can use to get your team involved. Spring Gather spring cleaning supplies and home necessities. Host a picnic in the park Collect kids books and toys How Can You Help? There are many opportunities already established, or you can use you imagination and team s skill set to create your own day of service. Summer Holidays in July Gather back to school supplies Organize a garage sale scavenger hunt Fall Host a coat drive Welcome New Americans and create Welcome Home Baskets Winter Create Thanksgiving meal baskets Adopt a family for the Holidays CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 7 Daryl Files dfiles@interfaithworkscny.org (315) x208 CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 7

8 Work for Hope Job Sharing Our members are searching for amazing employees and our New Americans are eager to fill them. As a member of the CVC, we welcome you to share your job opportunities with us as they become available. We will then provide the Center for New Americans a list of these opportunities in hopes that we can facilitate a match. How Can You Help? Send any positions that you are trying to fill our way. Will share them with Interfaith Works to see if there is a match. Consider mentoring a New American for the types of roles you typically hire. Join our New Year, New Job Fair! Connect with New American s who are seeking part time and full time employment opportunities. Event Details: January 2018 TBD CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 8

9 Celebrate Hope At the culmination of our Signature Project we will celebrate our efforts with a fun evening. Together we can share our stories of hope for the future for New Americans and for our city. This is a challenging time for Interfaith Works as the political environment has forced changes in their programs and their ability to continue their work in the same capacity. Let s celebrate the Interfaith Works team and our own teams for making a difference. Celebrate Hope Goals Increase awareness of the programs available to support our New Americans. Provide opportunities for CVC members to get involved. Align New American s with job and support opportunities that our members may offer Event Details: April 2018 TBD CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 9 CVC Signature Project Toolkit Page 9