Page 19 - Our Hands Spring 2020

NEW AMERICANS NEW AMERICANS

REFUGEE CLIENT REACHES GOALS A Christmas Reunification Story

BY JORDAN PIZZO
IN ENGINEERING CAREER s many of us know, Christmas time is more than just the old at first, and timid to speak English. As we waited at our gate, I began

story of Santa Claus, the decorations, and the placing of gifts
you could tell my ability to speak Spanish really made him more
Aunder the tree - it is a time for family. For most of us, we see speaking Spanish to him, playing little games to pass the time, and
fter a long journey, Inas Naser said she was feeling a sense job at Tim Hortons near her home, which provided a flexible our family quite frequently and look forward to the holiday season comfortable and able to open up. Being on the plane with the
youth, I could tell he was nervous but excited at the same time. I
to rejoice and come together with our loved ones. However, for
of comfort as she returned to her career pathway of civil schedule and easy transport. Samaritas supported her to gain her some, especially those we see in this line of work, being together joked with him, shared one of my books, and taught him some
A engineering. She started her new position in February driver’s license, as well as recertification of her diploma in June with family is something they can only dream of. For me, this English words to help pass the time and help keep him
2019 as Project Supervisor with the Department of Public Service 2018. This recertification opened up opportunities and her Case Christmas Eve became more than just a celebration with my family. comfortable. He told me that when he settles in, he hopes to get a
Engineering Division in Wayne County. Manager assisted Naser in applying for a This Christmas Eve would be one where I truly saw the meaning of good job, continue school, and continue practicing his English. We
Naser was serving as a civil engineer for 3-month project with Coop Engineering the holiday season, where I would help bring a family together. laughed so much! I was having such a wonderful time getting to
more than 14 years in Iraq, when this work with Wayne County. With this experience, know this youth, hearing his story, and listening to his goals as he
A youth at one of our
begins his new life.
was abruptly interrupted in 2012. and orientation on job searching and shelters was turning 18 on
interviewing provided by Samaritas, Christmas Day. Many would After our connection, we finally arrived at the place where his sister
“In 2012, people kidnapped my husband,” she was offered the new job as Project see this as an exciting day lived. He turned to me and smiled as soon as the plane touched the
Naser said. “I lived in fear from that day on. Supervisor, her current position. Naser said to celebrate their birthday, ground. I said to him “Hoy es un buen dia! Bienvenido a casa!” Today
We paid a large sum of money to get my she is so happy to be working again in her however, this youth needed is a good day, welcome home! We sped through baggage claim
husband back from his captors. Less than field of engineering and to have reached to be reunited with his where there were so many people. After searching for a few
a week later, he had a heart attack because this goal. family before turning 18, minutes, he said her name, and then they began running towards
each other. I stood back and watched the reunification unfold. They
and time was running short.
of the trauma and stress he experienced. With little time left, I sobbed and hugged without letting go for minutes. That experience
After his death, my father and brother She has more goals, though, to received a phone call the had me at a loss for words. I understood more in depth the meaning
moved into my home to help me cope with continuously develop professionally. She evening before Christmas of what we do and how everyone in this organization helps
the loss of my husband and protect my reaches out to her Case Manager with Eve, giving me the accomplish this work. Once the paperwork was finished, we said our
children. However, I still did not feel safe. occasional questions about workplace opportunity to travel across good byes. I have never seen someone so grateful.
I applied for refugee status through the US etiquette and formal, professional English the country with this youth and help him reunite with his sister who As I boarded my plane home, all I could think about was his
was living in another state. When I heard of this opportunity, I
Army, using my brothers’ connections.” vocabulary to use in workplace settings. thought there was no way I could say no, knowing that this youth perspective. I have three brothers, and I could never imagine being
She is now attending Oakland Community had fled his home country and that, with the circumstances being at that age and not seeing one of them, let alone for as long as this
After waiting years, her family was College and studying project design in what they were, it was necessary he be reunited with his sister youth was away from his sister. It was a Christmas Eve I will never
approved to come to the United States, the School of Engineering and Computer whom he had not seen in years. forget. That experience humbled me, and I cannot wait to be a part
resettling in Michigan through Samaritas Science. She has outlined clear steps to of more experiences like that. I am truly grateful to work alongside
on June 21, 2017. Naser said Samaritas keep growing: pass her Fundamentals of I arrived at the shelter around 4:30am to accompany the youth to people who believe in this work and have a desire to serve others.
assisted her with housing, social security paperwork, accessing Engineering exam, complete four years of Progressive Engineering, his destination. When we arrived at the airport, he was nervous, shy
health care, obtaining a driver’s license, school enrollments, pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam, and receive
cultural orientation, and her Green Card application. her license.

She wanted to continue her career as an engineer, but experienced “I am so thankful for the support of my family and the help I’ve
barriers upon entering America. First, she was a single mother and received at Samaritas — from Zaid, Nasma, and Raeed,” Naser said. HOPE (CHURCH) SPRINGS ETERNAL!
responsible for getting her three children to and from school each “I think things will continue to get better for my family and I am arlier this summer New Americans partnered with Hope Lutheran Church to
day and therefore sought a job with a flexible schedule. Second, excited about our future in the United States.” co-sponsor two single moms from Congo and their young children. Hope,
she had a challenge with transportation since she did not have a Eour wonderful partner congregation, took on not one, but two families for six
driver’s license or car and needed employment options near her months. That resulted in a beautiful journey when a group of over 25 registered
home. Third, she was learning English, but she was not yet fluent volunteers, and an additional 15 or more supporters walked alongside the families
and our New Americans team. Their support included hundreds of volunteer
to understand all the aspects of certain jobs. With her skills and For more information about how you can help New Americans hours, thousands of miles of driving them to appointments, shopping, and other
determination, paired with resources offered by Samaritas, they through Samaritas, with mentoring, transportation assistance, needed trips, in-kind donations of furniture, appliances, household items, clothing,
worked hand and hand to address these barriers to help her reach job and housing opportunities and other benefits, please contact free dental care to all family members and a donation of approximately $10,000.
her employment goals. Lauren Brosch at lbros@samaritas.org. Thank You to the caring congregation at Hope Lutheran for providing hope and
happiness to our New American families!
Naser’s Case Manager at Samaritas helped her connect with a

Timothy Jaheim

Jaheim is a young lad who’s a bit of a gourmand. “Jaheim loves food!” says his
You can’t find a better reason to add Timothy to your family than the worker. “He loves pizza, potatoes, burgers, breadsticks and McDonald’s.” Jaheim
compliment paid by one of the people who knows him best. “I believe also is a bit of a jester who loves interacting with others. As Jaheim’s worker puts
that Timothy is a very resilient child, and any family would be lucky to it, “He is funny, silly, goofy, engaging and social.”
have him!”
For more information visit samaritas.org For more information visit samaritas.org

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