Bridge Refugee & Sponsorship Services , Inc. is the local Diocesan
Refugee Coordinator involved in the ministry of refugee resettlement
through Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM). During 2000, Bridge resettled
22 families (64 individuals) through EMM. This population was comprised
of 7 Sudanese; 6 Ukrainians; 4 Vietnamese; 4 Serbians; and 43 Bosnians.
Twenty families were assisted by church sponsors. Church sponsorship
is the backbone of our resettlement program. It is a four-month moral
commitment that requires countless hours of English tutoring, transportation,
and mentoring. It also requires a financial commitment of $3-5,000.
Our hope is that the sponsor-refugee relationship develops into an enduring
friendship.
Bridge also participates in EMM's Match Grant program and enrolled
47 people in 2000. The Match Grant program is the most useful tool we
have to help refugees become self-sufficient.
Bridge received $1,500 from the Diocese in unsolicited funds that we
used to cover urgent client needs. In October, EMM withdrew its presence
in Bristol, citing administrative costs. Knoxville and Chattanooga are
working together to sustain the same level of EMM resettlement.
Respectfully submitted by Mary Lieberman