Jim is not bashful about his belief in the importance of helping those who are less fortunate. He recently asked his church’s men’s group to make a donation to CRIS, which they did in his honor. He mentioned that they had wanted to spend some of the money on a sweetheart dinner for Valentine’s Day. “It’s more important to help refugees get set up in a new home than to entertain ourselves with a nice dinner,” he said. His cohorts agreed.

Jim lamented the difficulty of finding enthusiastic volunteers for social justice work. “Over the years, I’ve tried to get people involved in doing the work. Most of the time, they would rather give money than time.” We discussed the possibility that this occurs because donations of one’s time and talent require more effort and create a greater emotional connection to those in need than just writing a check.  The reward of providing direct assistance – the satisfaction and human connection, we agreed, is far greater than the effort expended.

As we parted, we wished Jim a happy birthday – he will be 84 years young this week. In return, we received a warm handshake and a set of dishes for a family that will soon arrive in Columbus. They will likely never meet Jim Boyd, but they will benefit from his kindness, and he is happy to know he has been of assistance.

Nahla, a staff member at CRIS reflected on what her clients have accomplished in this past year and what she looks forward to in this new year.

Last year was the best and the most productive for me in CRIS!  I got to develop and improve my Employment program by modifying some of its requirements to be more compatible with the reality out there and with the most common characteristics of my clients. At the beginning, I designed the curriculum and the registration procedures,  tried to apply those on the very few clients I had just to find shortly afterwards that the program was not heading the desired direction. To help refugees resume their career as engineers, dentists, teachers, or pharmacists required first that I help them find an entry level job to be able to save some money and get some experience on the American job market. Simultaneously, I direct them to the procedures of being re-certified in the U.S. It is necessary to explain to the highly educated refugees (of which most of my clients are) that they need to know that their experience overseas and their certificates are not recognized here and that they need more time and money to be acknowledged as professionals in their previous careers. 

 With this clear view, I could benefit my clients greatly to help them understand and accommodate the new environment to reach the goal of self-sufficiency for themselves and their families. Whenever I see the happy look at a client’s eyes after being hired in a stable and descent job, I feel so proud and pleased for this is indeed their first step on the road of dignified and independent lives. 

Happy New Year from the team at CRIS!  We hope that during this new year you will consider the great impact you can have on refugee families through welcoming them to the United States.  If you are interested in helping welcome refugee families to Columbus you can contact Hannah Hartshorn at hhartshorn@cris-ohio.com.

We are so thankful for community members that make our work possible.  So many people support our programs though faithfully donating their time and energy to investing in helping refugees and immigrants reach and sustain self-sufficiency, ultimately helping to build thriving communities.

Happy New Year!

Winter is officially here! Kick off the season with CRIS and support the refugee community by helping us give warmth to newly arriving refugee families. Each week brings new people to our community, many of whom have few belongings when they arrive, particularly when it comes to the kind of cold-weather apparel needed for an Ohio winter.

That’s why CRIS is collecting new or gently used coats and blankets throughout the winter in order to keep families warm. With the help of many generous faith groups, community organizations, schools and individuals, CRIS has already provided coats for dozens of families, but winter’s only just begun and the need continues with each new arrival to Columbus; there’s no better way to welcome refugees into our community than by giving the gift of warmth!

Bring your clean new or gently used coats and blankets to the CRIS North Office (4889 Sinclair Rd, Suite 111) Monday through Thursday, 8:30-4:30. If you have further questions, please contact Hannah Hartshorn at 614-987-1642 or volunteer@cris-ohio.com.

Muufo – Somali Bread

2 cups white semolina or farina
2 T. all purpose flour
1 T. sugar (optional)
¼ cup dry chopped onion or ½ medium fresh onion, chopped very finely
1 garlic, chopped very finely
½ T. active dry yeast
1 ¼ cup luke warm water

Combine all ingredients and mix well in a bowl. Add water and knead to a dough-like substance. Cover the bowl tightly and place in a warm place for at least 6 hours or overnight. When the dough has risen, pick it up with your fingers, or half a handful, and place on a buttered baking pan, spacing them 2 to 3 inches apart. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and place on the lower rack of an oven heated to 450-500 degrees for about 10-15 minutes, until golden in color at the bottom side of the muufo. When done the top of the muufo is white. If you want the top side to be golden, brush some oil and flip the muufo and bake for another 2 minutes. Serve with any kind of sauce and enjoy!!

Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS), a local non-profit, is collecting coats for Refugee families who have recently resettled in Columbus.

Refugees are individuals who have fled their countries of origin and who meet the United Nations’ criteria of having a “well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.”

Many of the families that we resettle have few belongings when they arrive in Columbus.  We would like to help them get through the winter by providing warm winter coats, hats, gloves, and warm blankets for them and their children.

We greatly appreciate donations of clean new or used coats, hats, gloves or blankets. Please place them in the bin labeled “Coats for Refugee Families.”

Questions? Contact:

Hannah Hartshorn

CRIS Resource Developer

hhartshorn@crisnorth.org

614.987.1642

My Name is Dahir, a Somali refugee who came from Dadaab, the largest refugee camp in the world, located in Kenya near the Somali border. I have spent nearly two decades in a refugee camp.

Working with UNHCR for six years in an over-populated refugee camp in the middle of the desert with limited resources was not an easy job, however changing the lives of refugees was my biggest task that I always wanted to achieve.

We registered more than 1,500 spontaneous arrivals from Somalia every day and 500 newborn babies. We worked to process cases to reunify families and vulnerable cases, needing the attention of protection and community service officers. We also did field work, including monitoring basic services like food distribution, working in the health centers, housing, water, and sanitation.  There was never a day in the office where we weren’t busy.

When refugees are being processed for resettlement they have to go through two interviews.  My role was to interpret for these interviews accurately.  When the interviews are completed the resettlement unit submits the files of those families who are approved to countries such as Australia, Canada, some countries in the European Union, and the United States.

After UNHCR has submitted these files to the U.S. government there are more interviews, and then the background and security check.  If candidates pass their security check they are then eligible for resettlement in the U.S.  If their case is accepted for resettlement they attend cultural orientation classes in preparation for their arrival in the United States.  Often they have high expectations for what life in America will be like, so during cultural orientation trainers do their best to help the know what to expect.

Community Refugee and Immigration Services’ Refugee Resettlement program focuses on the reception and placement of refugees in Central Ohio. Resettlement caseworkers welcome families from the airport. We understand that they are tired when they arrive, so we introduce ourselves as their caseworkers, take them to their apartments, and provide them with a hot meal. After this we do another cultural orientation and a health and safety orientation.  Caseworkers spend most of their day with clients in driving them to Social Security office, their medical screenings, and other appointments. I like working with CRIS because its all about dealing with the basic needs of a newly arriving refugees and changing the lives of families.

Dahir is from Somalia and has been working with CRIS for a few months now.  Dahir spent almost two decades in Dadaab refugee camp, and while there worked for UNHCR.  Dahir is passionate about working with newly arriving refugee families and welcoming them to the United States, working hard to assist them in learning about their new homes. 

Donate to CRIS through the Columbus Foundation website on Thursday November 10 and all gifts will be matched!  Please don’t miss this opportunity to support the work CRIS is doing to empower refugees and immigrants in Central Ohio.

Reaching out and building a relationship with a newcomer can make a world of difference!  Only 20% of foreign born people in the US ever enter an American home.  Let’s help make that 20% grow.

You can support the work CRIS is doing with refugees and immigrants by volunteering (email volunteer@cris-ohio.com for more info), donating in kind goods (find the list here), or donating on our website!  We are thankful for the many relationships we get to see develop between newcomers and volunteers; it is truly a privilege to work with so many amazing people!

Pho Bo- Beef Noodle Soup

You’ll find this soup everywhere in Vietnam-from street stalls to fancy restaurants. It is the classic breakfast meal, but it is just as delicious served any time of day or night.

1 medium piece of fresh ginger root
1 large onion
12 cups water
2 lbs. beef bones
12 oz. beef brisket
3 pieces star anise
1 cinnamon stick
Pinch of salt
Pepper
1 cup bean sprouts
8 oz. flat rice noodles
8 oz. raw beef sirloin, thinly sliced
1 medium onion, sliced
½ cup finely cut baby leeks or spring onions
½ cup chopped ngo gai (saw-leaf herb) leaves
½ cup chopped cilantro leaves

Garnish:

1 T. chili sauce
3 T. hoisin bean sauce
2 small red chilies, sliced
2 limes cut into wedges
Mint leaves
Cilantro leaves

Grill ginger and onion until the skins are burnt. In a deep pan, combine water, bones and beef brisket. Bring to a boil, skimming frequently to remove residue. Add salt, grilled ginger and onions, star anise, and cinnamon. After 45 minutes remove the tender cooked beef and slice it very finely. Strain the soup into a separate container, adding salt and pepper to taste.

Wash and drain bean sprouts. Quickly blanch rice noodles and bean sprouts in boiling water to soften, but do not overcook. Arrange in a soup bowl. Top with beef brisket, raw beef sirloin, sliced onion, chopped baby leeks, ngo gai and cilantro leaves. Pour the boiling soup into the bowl and sprinkle with freshly ground pepper. By that time the raw beef should be medium cooked.

Serve with chili and hoisin sauce, sliced chilies, lime wedges, mint, ngo gai and cilantro.

Helpful hints: Grilling the ginger and onion can be done either over an open flame or simply in a pan. Chicken is a delicious alternative to beef, and most Vietnamese restaurants offer both.

I arrived to the United States of America as a refugee in December of 2008 through CRIS.  After that I was assigned to attend a job training class.  Mr. Chris was my class instructor and Berhanu was my employment counselor, who worked one on one with me to apply for jobs.  I explained to Berhanu what I used to do in Iraq as a tailor.  Then, Berhanu started looking for tailoring positions in Columbus.  I attended my first job interview at a department store and I was tested in the next interview.  Eventually I was accepted for that position as a tailor.  I have been working at this company for almost a year and I am very happy.

Name: Ibrahim

Country of Origin: Iraq

Job Title: Tailor