Refugee & Immigrant rights - Louisville area connections

By Ellen Birkett Morris

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. 

– Emma Lazarus,
As seen on the Statue of Liberty

Walk a Mile in My Shoes: A Refugee Camp Simulation is a unique and dynamic learning experience providing a powerful glimpse into what many refugees endure when fleeing from their homes and living in a refugee camp. The three-hour experience cultivates global awareness and compassion through the practice of empathy and perspective-taking.

Walk a Mile in My Shoes: A Refugee Camp Simulation

Immigrants and refugees are our neighbors, friends, teachers and co-workers. Kentucky has long been a haven for immigrants and refugees. According to the Kentucky Office for Refugees, Kentucky has resettled about 4,028 refugees from Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Iran and Syria since 2011.

In 2016, Kentucky took in more than double the national average of refugees per 100,000 residents. Sizable numbers of Iraqis and Somalis live in the area, and roughly 50,345 residents of the city were born outside the U.S., which amounts to about 7 percent of its overall population. Recent travel bans threaten to interrupt this long tradition, to separate families and to sew chaos and fear. Here are 13 ways to help those affected by the travel ban and below are some local resources that will allow you to volunteer, donate and/or advocate.

Are you an immigrant and need an advocate? Go to Immigration Advocates and Legal Services.

To volunteer, check out local agency web sites below or go to Volunteer Match. To donate, go to the agency’s website and click on the donation tab or button.

Local Immigrant and Refugee Services & Resources (primarily sourced from Louisville Metro’s website)

Office for Globalization	This Louisville Metro Office works to enhance Multi-Culturalism. They assists in connecting immigrants and refugees to governmental and non-governmental resources.
Kentucky Refugee Ministries	They are a non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing resettlement services to refugees. They work with the refugees to help promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into our community.
Americana Community Center	They are a non-profit organization, which provides a spectrum of services for the many diverse residents of Metro Louisville.  These services enable people to discover and utilize resources to build strong families, create a safe, supportive community, and realize their individual potential.
Catholic Charities of Louisville, Inc.	They are part of the largest, private human services network in the United States, serving people of all religious, ethnic, social and economic backgrounds. Through the Kentucky Office for Refugees (KOR) provides leadership; policy guidance and advocacy on specific issues affecting refugee resettlement. Migration Refuges Services (MRS) equips refugees with the support and assistance they need in order to become self-sufficient through services such as English, cultural and work orientation.
Community Services Translated Press Releases	Community Services is committed to accommodate Limited English Proficiency (LEP) by providing outreach and eligibility information in at least two non-English languages: - Spanish version of 2016 LIHEAP Crisis Press Release - Arabic version of 2016 LIHEAP Crisis Press Release
La Casita Center	La Casita Center enhances the well-being of Louisville's Latino community through education, empowerment, advocacy, and wellness. La Casita Center works intentionally to build a thriving community based on mutual support and respect.

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TWW - Louisville Member Spotlight "Immigrant & Refugee Rights" - Meet Monica

interviewed by Amy Merrick

When did you join our group? 
I joined Together We Will right after the election because I was looking for ways to connect with others who were like-minded. This group has given me hope and a sense that there are many others fighting for an equal and inclusive America. 

How has your life changed since 11/8?
I had become politically complacent during the Obama years and believed that the U.S. wasn’t necessarily post-racial, but was headed in a progressive direction. I mistakenly thought that America fully believed in, and was ready for marriage, racial, and gender equality. 

Since then, I have spoken with people on different sides of the political spectrum, and I now know there are people that had difficulty accepting a black president, and didn’t want a female to lead us. They didn’t see themselves reflected in Democratic leadership. The crazy thing is that they are neighbors, colleagues and friends. We just never knew they felt that way.

I am alarmed that we have stepped back by decades into a political reality that excludes and places blame on marginalized Americans. The health of our planet is no longer protected by our government, and women are rapidly losing reproductive rights, and access to care. I see corruption and corporate interests such as oil, and guns/ammunitions take ground without regard for consequences. As political pundits say, I feel ‘woke’ now. I know I can’t stand idly by, and I am engaging politically to fight for Americans, our planet, and the world I want my children to live in.

What do you feel is the importance of diversity in social movement?
As a Latina, I have noted a change in the demographics of social movements. This election has mobilized many, including people who hadn’t necessarily felt marginalized before. We see a lot of white Americans and interestingly, white women emerge as champions of change.  It’s important to note that, historically, many of the rights we’ve had to fight for, such as women’s right to vote, Civil Rights, and marriage equality would not have happened without allies and majority support. 

'White silence,’ is actually something many movements are concerned about, because change occurs when the mainstream aligns behind social and civil causes. Today people are talking about ‘intersectionality,’ and the fact that social inequality occurs on a multidimensional basis. This knowledge, and the fact that together we are stronger, has transcended differences, and brought people together regardless of immigrant status, racial, gender and sexual orientation differences.  A memorable example of this is when the Muslim community in St. Louis and Philadelphia raised funds to repair Jewish cemeteries.

The path to inclusion starts with the humble understanding that there is a lot we don’t know, and a lot we can learn about each other. Secondly, we should support each other’s causes because they are interrelated. Finally, it is important to proactively reach for a broader understanding, approach, and long-term vision because, ultimately, we will all move further and faster, together.

     

What have you found too be the most effective tool in effecting change so far?  Many are heavily focused on the national agenda but the fastest way to effect change is by starting at the city and state level. Our country is structured in a way that allows states a great deal of autonomy and we have significant disparities across the board from voting and reproductive rights, to educational standards. Marriage equality, as an example, progressed state by state until it reached the Supreme Court. States wield a tremendous amount of power, not to mention that what happens here impacts us immediately.

I have not taken my eye off the national stage but have applied most of my energy to learning about local bills, communicating with my state legislators, and becoming involved with organizations such as TWW-KY, Moms Demand Action (for common sense gun laws) and Indivisible KY. I feel that it is easier to focus on changing that which is within our reach. I also believe that if we move our home state towards an inclusive and progressive agenda a broader base of Kentuckians will want to see that change reflected nationally. I would like to finish by saying that observing victories in other municipalities and states across American has really inspired me to believe that one city at a time does work.

How are you feeling?

The first few months after the election were very difficult, but today I feel that through knowledge and action, I can and will impact our future and our children’s. The Women’s March marked the dawn of a Progressive Era that is being led in large part by women. We are moving our world from a ‘winner takes all’ approach to a compassionate, collaborative and inclusive direction. I feel hopeful and empowered by the way so many different groups have come together to fight for a common goal.

TWW April meeting: Immigration and Refugee Issues

April is Immigration and Refugee Issues month at Together We Will (TWW) and in support of this focus, TWW’s monthly meeting will feature Kentucky Refuge Ministries and Beaded Treasures Project along with their tireless efforts to uplift refugees within our community and enable them to become successful community members and citizens. 

Kentucky Refugees Ministries

Since 1990, Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM) has welcomed refugees from the world over through its community outreach and advocate services. KRM is committed to promoting diversity for the benefit of the whole community using a comprehensive approach and a dedicated support team of over 80 caseworkers, instructors and attorneys in Louisville and Lexington.  

KRM focuses on the following areas:

• Basic Needs -housing, securing ID’s, and school enrollment.
• Self-Sufficiency - teaching English as a second language, assisting job readiness and placement services.
• Integration - cultural orientation, connection with other refugees, and legal support for immigration issues. 

During our monthly meeting on April 30. Kentucky Refugee Ministries will share their work in refugee resettlement, explain legislation that has impacted refugees recently, and let us know how we can get involved.  Additionally, a client will share their personal story and how KRM benefited them and their family.

Coffee Break Activism 4/20

Coffee Break Activism
by Naomi Penner

Now that the legislative session is over (until Bevin's TBD special tax reform session), it's time to focus on a few issues in our city.

1. One of these is the upcoming city budget. Thanks to Councilman Bill Hollander (District 9), an ordinance was passed to give Metro Council and the public more time to evaluate the Mayor's budget. The Mayor's budget will be released on April 27th. Metro Council must pass a finalized budget by June 30th. The time in-between can be used by the public to help influence and shape the budget.

Thanks to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, a long-standing grassroots organization that works to address various issues all over the state, a "People's Guide to the Budget" has been created to help understand the local budget, highlight important areas the budget targets (or doesn't), and inform the public on what can be done to improve the budget.

Here's what you can do help create a city budget that works for all Louisvillains:

a) Read KFTC's "People's Guide to the Budget"
http://kftc.org/PeoplesGuideToTheBudget

b) Contact Mayor Fischer (502-574-2003) and your Metro Councilperson (502-574-1100) to share your priorities for the 2017/18 budget.

c) Share the guide with friends, family, and neighbors and encourage them to voice their opinions about the budget.


2. Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities are proposing an increase in rates that would hurt customers, especially those of low-and-fixed income, and potentially damage our health and air quality.

LG&E and KU want to double their flat monthly service charge, making a fee that would be paid no matter how much energy is used. KU's base rate for electric service would jump from $10.75 to $22 per month. LG&E's monthly fee for electric would also jump from $10.75 to $22, while their fee for natural gas service would increase from $13.50 to $24. Meaning a customer would owe a minimum $46 a month even if they use little-to-no gas or electricity.

It's up the KY Public Service Commission to approve, reject, or edit these proposals. Public comments must be made soon!

Send your comments to:
Kentucky Public Service Commission
Public Information Officer
P.O. Box 615
Frankfort, KY 40602

or

Learn more and send an email through this form:
http://kftc.org/take-action?tdburl=https://www.congressweb.com/kfc/6#/6/

It is required to include the rate case in the subject or your email or letter and your full name and address

• LG&E customers: Case #2016-00371
• KU customers: Case #2016-00370

3. Support Louisville Sex Education Now! 

It's almost the end of the school year and JCPS still has not decided upon providing a comprehensive sex education program in schools. Board Member Stephanie Horne (District 3) is a NO vote on this issue. 

Help encourage her to support Louisville Sex Education Now by signing this letter:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhLGj43VhT5fv5USmCVkkxM2WRMT59j10BjBgutfzzx7pWMw/viewform

4. Sign-up to attend a webinar on Kentuckians for the Commonwealth's newly released, Empower Kentucky Plan. Learn about their findings and recommendations on how KY can develop a clean energy future.
Webinar is on Wed. April 19th, at 1 pm.
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/fedea74a490f7ea24ac87b605f06faf5


5. Learn about Louisville's history of redlining. Redlining, which dates back to 1933, is a form of discrimination in which lending agencies decline financial services to people living in specific neighborhoods, or businesses charge higher service rates.

Louisville Forward, the city's economic development branch, has created an interactive map showcasing redlining in Louisville.
https://lojic.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=e4d29907953c4094a17cb9ea8f8f89de


6. Support Kentucky Health Justice Network. With one abortion clinic, EMW, facing possible closure, KHJN is more vital than ever. With a firm belief in reproductive justice, KHJN helps provide women with the funds and services needed to achieve abortion access.
Donate to their current fundraiser: https://bowl.nnaf.org/campaign/kentucky-health-justice-network/c115761


7. Donate furniture and household goods or make a financial contribution to Kentucky Refugee Ministries. KRM is a non-profit with a mission to provide resettlement services to refugees, as well as community resources and opportunities to achieve successful integration into our community. Find out how to donate here: https://kyrm.org/give/

Coffee Break Activism - 3/29

Coffee Break Activism

by Naomi Penner

The Kentucky legislative session is not quite over yet! Legislators head back to Frankfort on Tuesday to work in preparation for the final legislative days on Wednesday and Thursday. Anything is possible to pass in those last two days, which is why we need YOU to contact Frankfort!

It's easy, the receptionists are wonderful, and it takes up to 5 minutes.

Call 1-800-372-7181 and make your voice heard!

1) To all Senators & all House Reps:

• Support HB 156 (aid to Eastern KY)

• Oppose HB 72 (developer’s dream bill)

2) To all Senators:

• Oppose HB 315 (feeds the prison pipeline)

•  Support SB 120 (criminal re-entry reform)

3) To Senate Judiciary Committee and all Senators:

• Oppose HB 281 (strip AG of power)

4) To Senate Education Committee and all Senators:

• Oppose HB 128 (bible course in schools)

• Support HB 307 (improves learning for students with dyslexia)

• Oppose HB 151 (neighborhood schools)

• Support HB 145 (opioid abuse prevention course in schools)

5) To Senate Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor Committee and all Senators:

• Oppose HB 296 (cuts benefits for injured workers)

*Need more info about these bills? Read about them here.

TWW - Louisville Member Spotlight "Legislation" - Meet Naomi

Interviewed by Amy Merrick

Where do I begin? Like lots of others around the nation, I’ve become politically active for the first time in my life. I’ve always wanted to become more civically aware, and this election turned that desire into a necessity. Voting has always been a favorite civic duty of mine, but now I know it takes a lot more than just voting every two or four years. I’ve realized that this whole democracy thing doesn’t work very well without active involvement. The folks up in Washington and down in Frankfort may make the policy, but ultimately we’re the ones in charge. It’s time consuming -- calling, researching, news following, attending of rallies and meetings – so I’m very grateful for the privilege to be able to put my time and energy into this work.

Speaking of privilege, my perspective and understanding of our society has also had an awakening since November 8. Now, privilege – especially as it relates to racism, reproductive justice, tax reform and other institutionalized issues -- is something I think about daily. Even hope is a privilege. I’ve always felt we had a lot to improve upon in this country, notably from the perspective of environmental and women’s rights. Now I know it’s beyond that. We need a complete reworking of our institutions, a recreation of policies that actually go deep and fix these issues from the inside out. 

I’m ready to work, but it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Newswise, so much happens in just one day, not to mention keeping track of so many grassroots groups, individuals and established organizations working towards the same goal. While they are well intentioned, it does add to the daily noise. What do I focus on? Who do I become involved with? Can’t we just have one giant coalition of resistance? As someone who likes organization and everything to be properly in its place, I have a hard time staying motivated when I feel overwhelmed. But then I remember it’s not just about me and I push through the best I can.

    

My top three concerns post-election are 1) the environment, because the damage in regards to the earth is irreparable; 2) the death of facts; and 3) the continuation of current policymaking beyond the next two to four years. I hope this is America’s last attempt to hold on to the past.

In order to stay politically active, I plan to continue to narrow my focus on what issues to get involved with and which groups to be a part of. I’ve always wished I could fix everything that is terrible, but that is not sustainable (or plausible). I just need to pay attention as best I can and keep making sure my voice is heard. I’ve learned the value of attending rallies and meetings because it is necessary to constantly remind yourself that you are not alone and because chanting in a group feels so good. I support the heck out of candidates I am behind, and maybe consider running myself. I try to foster thoughts of love, acceptance, community, awareness, courage, and empowerment in the kids I work with, especially in young girls. I take a break when my mental state needs it. I spend one day a week off of Facebook. I remind myself every day that this is not normal.

I have also found that focusing at the local level is the best tool to effect change. It’s a lot less overwhelming! I saw a hashtag somewhere -- #ThinkGloballyActLocally -- and it really stuck with me. Sure, what happens in Washington does affect what can be done in Frankfort, but ultimately the laws made here by our red majority and Gov. Bevin are going to have a more direct effect on us. I encourage everyone to voice their opinions and concerns to Senators McConnell and Rand Paul because, believe it or not, their job is to listen (though McConnell won’t listen to you), but you’re going to make a way bigger impact by calling your legislators in Frankfort. They are far more accessible, especially because they are not contacted as much, and are easier to visit in person! We must hold them accountable, especially after all the shady crap they’ve pulled this session.

The change has got to come within the state and within our own communities. Look for opportunities to improve the city like planting trees, volunteering as an abortion escort, or attending a metro council meeting. There are tons of great organizations that have been doing this work for years, like Kentuckians for the Commonwealth. They are a diverse group, highly organized, and provide so many opportunities to improve our city and state. There are lots of other newer organizations that need support - The New Kentucky Project, Kentucky Health Justice Network, Louisville Standing Up For Racial Justice (LSURJ). Seek out those local groups.  Also, check out Resistbot. It's a free texting service that turns your texts into faxes. Great for when mailboxes are full or you have a multiple, lengthier messages. Text “Resist” to 50409!