Going Beyond the Welcome

A refugee family of two parents and 4 kids arrived in Raleigh last fall and due to the housing shortage, were placed at an extended-stay hotel by their refugee resettlement agency. After being referred to Refugee Hope Partners by their resettlement agency, our staff was able to meet with this family just before school started.

Our Social Work team worked with community partner Note in the Pocket so the 4 children could start school with enough clothing. Then, our Education team met with them to see how they can get acclimated to school and provide additional academic support through Homework Help. Family Engagement volunteers were matched with this family soon after and spent time getting to know this family by taking them to the park where the four kids could play instead of being cooped up in their hotel room. Finally, in November, when they got a new place to stay, their Family Engagement volunteers were there to help them move and to celebrate their new place with them.

There continues to be refugees being placed in extended stays and our dispersed education team is working to specifically meet the needs of families staying there. Holistic programming that serves the whole family is essential to our mission of engaging, equipping, and encouraging refugee families so that all may thrive.

When RHP welcomes a new family, we go beyond just the "welcome." Our holistic approach addresses social, emotional, spiritual and physical needs as we walk alongside refugee families well after their arrival to our city.