There are many ways the faith community can provide support for refugees in the Austin community. In some cases, services exist through non-profits or the refugee agencies but additional volunteers are needed. In other cases, services do not exist and an innovative, flexible group of volunteers can fill a gap in very meaningful ways. In the list below, if a specific agency provides the service, their website or email is listed. If no agency provides the service or the support outlined is desired by more than one agency, contact Kaylee at Kaylee@refugeeconnect.com to get connected and involved.

Working through Refugee Services of Texas (http://refugeeservicestexas.tripod.com/austin.htm) this is a six-month commitment to provide volunteers and finances to assist the family in becoming self-sufficient. Includes opportunities to furnish the apartment, orient the family to day-to-day life (i.e. grocery shopping, bus travel, apartment life), assist with English mentoring, provide transportation to appointments, host social activities and much more.

• Adopt-a-School: check out "Current Programs" tab for more information.
• Summer Youth Program: provide volunteer and/or funding assistance for AAIM's 6-week skills development program that assists newly arrived refugee students to prepare for school. Contact Lu Zeidan at AAIM for more information: luz@aaimaustin.org
• Sports outreach: coordinate with area rec centers, service organizations and churches to create sports programs for refugee children and teens.
• HS Community group: establish programs that connect refugee teens and provide safe, fun activities evenings and weekends.

• English mentoring programs/Conversation partners (through AAIM http://www.aaimaustin.org/refugees.html).
• Host/organize trade fairs: create opportunities for refugee crafts people to sell their wares.

There are many everyday needs in the refugee community that a church can take on and work independently or through existing service providers:

• Baby showers
• Childcare
• Tax assistance and budgeting
• Transportation: provide assistance getting refugees to appointments & activities that are not on the bus route.
• Household:                                                               
  i. Donation drives
  ii. Set up apartments for in-coming refugees 
  iii. Apartment relations: work with apartment complexes where refugees live to become a resource for communication and problem solving with a goal of helping the refugees to address issues before eviction notice is given.

For more information, to arrange for Kaylee to give a talk to your group about the Austin refugee situation and how you can help, or to get involved, email: kaylee@refugeeconnect.com.