Iraqi refugee family moves to Lakewood

[Kate McCarthy]

A heartbreaking story. There is link in the article for how to help.

http://blog.cleveland.com/pdworld/2007/ ... first.html

[David Anderson]

Thanks for linking this article, Kate.

I know that all Lakewoodits would move Heaven and Earth to help this family. However, any outpouring of neighborly support can quickly turn overwhelming.

Does anyone have any insight as to how a community of neighbors can provide assistance to this family in a coordinated way that meshes with the assistance already being provided by the government while also protecting the family’s privacy?

This just might be the most important topic ever on the OD.

[sharon kinsella]

There should be a social worker at the Dept. of Human Services here in Lakewood. We also have Lakewood Christian Services that is already doing assistance programs for people in economic crisis. They do an excellent job.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

it's very sad.

mixed marriages/families have it the hardest during times of civil war. But yet the love that these families have within them all is far stronger than any hatred that they had to face.

I wonder what we can do to make them feel welcome in the city.

I know that medical care is probably the biggest stress amongst immigrants that move to the US. My family was lucky we found a organization that happened to be in Cleveland doing check-ups and blood work for free so we were able to get some treatment.

I'll see what I have in my closet maybe they would want some clothes. My mom's been pressing me to sort through all my stuff to see what we can donate to organizations anyway, so I'll take the opportunity to help out a Lakewood family.

I encourage you all to do the same. Maybe a bag of groceries, that goes a long way.

[David Anderson]

Ivor -

Thanks for the insight regarding health care.

Concerning the urge of all of us to help by providing groceries or clothing, well, this is the issue of I wrote about initially. These donations need to be coordinated or before you know it 30,000 concerned Lakewood neighbors will fill this family's living room with more used clothing than they could ever use. (While I often buy second hand jeans, I'm not sure I would want used, back of the closet clothing from random people - even a fine, warmhearted neighbor like you, Ivor.)

The same goes for groceries. If 15 concerned folks just dropped by with a gallon of milk ...

This type of uncoordinated but well intentioned help could easily create more trouble than help.

Again, how can we, as concerned neighbors, coordinate assistance with the professionals already helping this family and be there, again, in a coordinated way, when the government assistance/guidance expires?

Sharon's suggestion that Lakewood's Dept. of Human Services may already be on the job may be accurate, or not. How do we/I pry from a social worker at any level privileged information about a family receiving assistance? I doubt they would give it to me if I called and said that I read this article and want to help.

How can we find out know how to help?

[Kate McCarthy]

I think Catholic Charities' Office of Migration & Refugee Services is coordinating the help. Here's the contact information:

7800 Detroit Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44102
216-281-7005

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

I talked to my dad a bit ago, he explained to me that they probably have a lot of services available to them (as they should) already.

Welfare will help them tremendously as they get a foundation going and get used to the culture change.

I think the culture change, along with the PTSD and sorrow makes it difficult for families to get used to life here. The trauma is something that is very hard to get over, especially when moving at the age of 9-16, since most kids socialize and make friends at that age.

[Stephen Eisel]

How about any of the local Mosques?

[David Anderson]

The Catholic Carities office does tremendous work and is indeedhelping this family. The issue there is that they don't like to earmark or funnel outside resources to a particular family. They would prefer contributions be made to their general effort.

I believe a supporting Mosque was indicated in the article, Stephen. I'll contact them.

Again, this family has a few remaining months to get their footing before the public assistance expires.

I'll check in later when/if I learn of how we may be able to support the family through the Mosque.

[Amy Bennett]

This is just an idea - and one I'm not even sure is a viable one - but the elementary schools have Family Resource Coordinators. I know that they collect supplies, clothing, donations, etc. and distribute to families in need. The Coordinators are incredibly helpful to those of us working in and attending Lakewood City Schools. I know if one of them were contacted, they could direct donations in a confidential manner. They would also have the best idea of what is needed.

There are also several families who recently moved to Lakewood from Burma/Myanmar. I know the ESL teacher was going crazy a few weeks ago getting the kiddos shoes.

This family could probably really benefit from a connection with members of our community. I'm not sure how exactly to do that, though. I am an ESL teacher and my students often suffer from PTSD. I find that my students begin to heal when they make personal connections and find others taking an interest in their wealth of knowledge and experience.

Ivor- All of us at McKinley marvel over your successes! You make us proud.

[Ivor Karabatkovic]

If it's one person in Lakewood that knows how to help new immigrants in our schools it would be Amy Bennett.

She helped my brother who was a freshman at LHS when we first moved here, and myself when I started 4th grade and worked with me until 5th grade.

Mrs.Bennett your work is greatly appreciated, know that.

My folks say hello and send their regards to you and your husband!