Lea Tienou-Gustafson is the Director of our Refugee and Immigrant Community Services (RICS) programming, leading our refugee resettlement efforts across Chicago. As the crisis in Afghanistan continues, RICS has had to increase efforts to serve both the immediate needs of those fleeing the Taliban, even as we continue to welcome others from across the globe. Below, she shares her perspective on her teams work over the past month.
When we talk about achieving equity and opportunity for all people at Heartland Alliance, my team takes it to heart. For years, the RICS team has connected our city’s newest residents to community, education and employment services, and the supports they need to succeed in their new country.
Most importantly, we are here to welcome people in crisis with open arms and provide them a space to feel safe.
The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is especially impacting our work right now. We are fortunate to be working with Afghan refugees in Chicagoland for many years, and have been in conversation with them to partner in supporting the Afghan evacuees that are already arriving in Chicago.
As soon as we know a new arrival is on their way, we begin to prepare for a wholistic array of services to support folks as they adjust to their new life in Chicago. The immediate nature of this current crisis means that our response times are even shorter, and our staff are working even harder to ensure these individuals receive the same welcome as any other refugee we serve.
When we greet these people at O’Hare Airport, individuals can rest assured that we have found them a safe place to stay and a guide that will help them connect with community and services. We will provide case management, employment services, youth and family services, ESL classes, and connections to medical and mental health services.
Thanks to our supporters, volunteers, and donors, we have been able to make sure that those fleeing Afghanistan are greeted with apartments, furniture, clothes, and the daily necessities of life.
This is a unique experience, and we’re proud to help people who are fleeing this crisis. But it’s important to remember that most of the time, refugees have to wait years before they can come to America. Even as we respond to this influx of Afghan evacuees, we continue to welcome refugees from all around the world.
And we will continue to meet that challenge, because we believe that all people deserve a safe place to call home. At Heartland Alliance, we feel honored to be a part of welcoming these people to their new homes.
Thanks to all who have supported us in what has been a challenging month. The generosity from our Heartland Alliance community has been truly heartwarming, and we are proud to have you by our side. The work is not done until the millions of people displaced around the globe find home. We hope you continue to believe in a world that can achieve that goal.
