Page 16 - Our Hands Fall/Winter 2021

Celebrating Refugee Talent

amaritas is honoring the young refugees in our care with an online art show titled, “Written Dreams in Paper/
Suenos Escritos en Papel” presented by DTE Energy and Delta Dental of Michigan. The 2021 collection can be
Sseen at Samaritas.org/YouthArtshow and in-person at select locations throughout the state. More information
about other participating organizations is available at Samaritas.org/YouthArtShow.

Meet Edwin
Edwin Rigoberto Hernandez-Ventura left Honduras
alone for the United States at the young age of 14.
In 2016, he entered Samaritas’ Refugee Foster Care
Program, which he remained in until the age of 21.
Edwin is extremely passionate about immigrant
rights and creating a welcoming community, and
continues to work with Samaritas to represent
refugee foster youth by speaking to and educating
donors and supporters on the experiences of
unaccompanied children and unaccompanied
refugee minors, including select Traveling Art Show
events throughout Michigan. He advocates for the
entire New American community by serving as
Michigan’s own delegate to the Refugee Congress,
a national advocacy organization.
As a panelist of the Samaritas Refugee Virtual
Roundtable in June, Edwin provided some details
of his harrowing journey to the United States.
Visit www.samaritas.co/RefugeeVideo to see a
recording of the entire discussion.

Young Refugees Need Homes, Staff and More
As a Samaritas Refugee Foster Care staff member
you can build an enviable portfolio and gain hands-
on experience with young refugees from countries
like Guatemala, Honduras, Eritrea, and Afghanistan.

We desperately need case managers in north and
west Michigan to help us care for these young
people and take in more who need help. Other staff
specialists, including mentors, and volunteers are
also welcomed to join our team.

Contact Edward Jeske at Edward.Jeske@samaritas.
org to inquire about the opportunities. And
visit Samaritas.org/Careers to see the current
opportunities.

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