World Refugee Day 2019 Refugee Women Honorees
Advocating for refugees' and immigrants' self-empowerment, fostering community bonds, celebrating talents and traditions across cultures.
Refugee Connections Spokane Engages in COVID-19 Response!
Due to the changing nature of the Corona Virus, currently, the Refugee Connections Spokane Office is closed until further notice as the Community Building is closed.
We are working with our partner agencies, such as the Spokane County United Way Area Executives, the Spokane Public Health District and Spokane Public Schools to keep our constituents updated on the best practices.
In addition, we are seeking donations to help resource our refugee elders with food and other supplies that they need as well as to help put together care packages for our refugee kids connect program.
Area resources, such as food banks and school meals: thefigtree.org
Volunteer for Covid-19 response through Spokane County United Way: volunteerspokane.org
Spokane School District translated materials: spokaneschools.org
Spokane Regional Health District: srhd.org
Washington State Department of Health translated materials: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020/HealthEducation
Asian Pacific Islander Coalition: facebook.com/apicspokane/
Department of Social and Health Services with multiple language translations: COVID-19 Translated Resources Directory – organized by Language. It has over 70 languages and 630 links. It also includes ASL resources, native languages, and mental health resources can also be found here in the grey box on the right: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/office-refugee-and-immigrant-assistance
Direct link to the DSHS document: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/ESA/oria/documents/DSHS-ORIA%20WA%20COVID%20TRANSLATED%20RESOURCES%20DIRECTORY.pdf
City of Spokane: https://my.spokanecity.org/covid19/
Unemployment Insurance: www.esd.wa.gov
We are working with various agencies to get more materials updated in different languages. If you see a gap in any language please do let us know so we can work to get more information to you and your communities!
We are working with our partner agencies, such as the Spokane County United Way Area Executives, the Spokane Public Health District and Spokane Public Schools to keep our constituents updated on the best practices.
In addition, we are seeking donations to help resource our refugee elders with food and other supplies that they need as well as to help put together care packages for our refugee kids connect program.
Area resources, such as food banks and school meals: thefigtree.org
Volunteer for Covid-19 response through Spokane County United Way: volunteerspokane.org
Spokane School District translated materials: spokaneschools.org
Spokane Regional Health District: srhd.org
Washington State Department of Health translated materials: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Emergencies/NovelCoronavirusOutbreak2020/HealthEducation
Asian Pacific Islander Coalition: facebook.com/apicspokane/
Department of Social and Health Services with multiple language translations: COVID-19 Translated Resources Directory – organized by Language. It has over 70 languages and 630 links. It also includes ASL resources, native languages, and mental health resources can also be found here in the grey box on the right: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/office-refugee-and-immigrant-assistance
Direct link to the DSHS document: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/ESA/oria/documents/DSHS-ORIA%20WA%20COVID%20TRANSLATED%20RESOURCES%20DIRECTORY.pdf
City of Spokane: https://my.spokanecity.org/covid19/
Unemployment Insurance: www.esd.wa.gov
We are working with various agencies to get more materials updated in different languages. If you see a gap in any language please do let us know so we can work to get more information to you and your communities!
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World Refugee Day on June 20th Cancelled!
World Refugee Day Celebration Cancelled Due to COVID-19
Refugee Connections Spokane, along with over a dozen community organizations, has worked over the past months to host the United Nations World Refugee Day on Saturday, June 20th.
Unfortunately, due to our concerns for the safety and health of all attendees, we have decided to cancel the June 20th event and will regroup to organize the event for next year. We have taken into consideration health department guidelines regarding social distancing and large gatherings as part of our decision-making.
This year, we were planning to host the event on the Spokane Community College Campus at The Lair, as we had intended to honor refugee students in higher education in our community.
We are sharing what some of our agencies are doing to address the COVID-19 response with our refugee communities.
Refugee Connections Spokane has hired a part time Refugee/Immigrant Service Coordinator to respond to specific needs, such as food insecurity, utilities, rental assistance, hygiene and cleaning supplies, facemasks and others. We are distributing food boxes, activity kits and school supplies to our Refugee Kids program. Our website lists materials and links for different languages and our Facebook page and group are updating daily on important information related to COVID-19 as it relates to impacts on refugee and immigrant communities in Spokane.
For over forty years Spokane Community Colleges has provided English as a Second Language instruction to refugees in Spokane Community. In order to continue supporting refugee families in their pursuit of an education and the development of their career skills during COVID-19 crisis, Spokane Community College has moved all ESL instruction completely online.
Administrators have connected students with available equipment to ensure continuance of their education, and faculty have worked tirelessly to support students’ developing digital literacy skills in addition to their English-language skills.
For the sake of ensuring the safety of our clients and our staff, Lutheran Community Services Northwest has temporarily converted our services to remote or telehealth alternatives. Our staff is available during all of our normal business hours for counseling, victim advocacy, and child welfare services via telehealth. In addition, our Unaccompanied Refugee Minor and our Domestic Foster Care programs are continuing to license new foster families and place children and refugee youth in safe, healthy homes. We are open and here for you during this challenging time!
Spokane Regional ESOL Consortium is maintaining safe social distancing while embracing our network and digital literacy to connect refugees and immigrants to important community services and resources during this pandemic.
Spokane International Translation is continuing to provide written translation and oral interpreting services to our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working with local partners to provide virtual services by means of scheduling telephonic and video remote interpreting. Our office is working with local school districts, medical facilities and community partners to translate parent letters, important COVID-19 research and consent forms as well as other important announcements. For more information, please contact Spokane International Translation at: 509-327-8064 or email: sit@perciba.com.
Spokane County United Way continues to support our community during the current pandemic and beyond. $2.2 million has been raised for the COVID-19 Response and Recovery fund through a partnership with United Way, Innovia Foundation, and Empire Health Foundation. Click here to learn more. 65,000 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) items were donated by our community. The donation center was managed by our staff and volunteers. These items will go to hospital staff and first responders. Click here to learn how you can donate masks to essential workers. Over 500 volunteer positions related to COVID-19 have been filled using our volunteer site VolunteerSpokane.org. Find your opportunity there.
$676,352 in federal funding has been awarded to United Way for local nonprofits, faith-based and governmental organizations who provide food, shelter and supportive services. Click here to learn more about the EFSP and CARES funding application process.
About us: Refugee Connections Spokane was founded in 2011 to advocate for refugees’ and immigrants’ self-empowerment, to foster community bonds and celebrate talents and traditions across cultures.
For more information:
Marijke Fakasiieki
Executive Director
Refugee Connections Spokane
marijkef@refugeeconnectionsspokane.org
www.refugeeconnectionsspokane.org
(509) 209-2384 (o)
Refugee Connections Spokane, along with over a dozen community organizations, has worked over the past months to host the United Nations World Refugee Day on Saturday, June 20th.
Unfortunately, due to our concerns for the safety and health of all attendees, we have decided to cancel the June 20th event and will regroup to organize the event for next year. We have taken into consideration health department guidelines regarding social distancing and large gatherings as part of our decision-making.
This year, we were planning to host the event on the Spokane Community College Campus at The Lair, as we had intended to honor refugee students in higher education in our community.
We are sharing what some of our agencies are doing to address the COVID-19 response with our refugee communities.
Refugee Connections Spokane has hired a part time Refugee/Immigrant Service Coordinator to respond to specific needs, such as food insecurity, utilities, rental assistance, hygiene and cleaning supplies, facemasks and others. We are distributing food boxes, activity kits and school supplies to our Refugee Kids program. Our website lists materials and links for different languages and our Facebook page and group are updating daily on important information related to COVID-19 as it relates to impacts on refugee and immigrant communities in Spokane.
For over forty years Spokane Community Colleges has provided English as a Second Language instruction to refugees in Spokane Community. In order to continue supporting refugee families in their pursuit of an education and the development of their career skills during COVID-19 crisis, Spokane Community College has moved all ESL instruction completely online.
Administrators have connected students with available equipment to ensure continuance of their education, and faculty have worked tirelessly to support students’ developing digital literacy skills in addition to their English-language skills.
For the sake of ensuring the safety of our clients and our staff, Lutheran Community Services Northwest has temporarily converted our services to remote or telehealth alternatives. Our staff is available during all of our normal business hours for counseling, victim advocacy, and child welfare services via telehealth. In addition, our Unaccompanied Refugee Minor and our Domestic Foster Care programs are continuing to license new foster families and place children and refugee youth in safe, healthy homes. We are open and here for you during this challenging time!
Spokane Regional ESOL Consortium is maintaining safe social distancing while embracing our network and digital literacy to connect refugees and immigrants to important community services and resources during this pandemic.
Spokane International Translation is continuing to provide written translation and oral interpreting services to our community during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are working with local partners to provide virtual services by means of scheduling telephonic and video remote interpreting. Our office is working with local school districts, medical facilities and community partners to translate parent letters, important COVID-19 research and consent forms as well as other important announcements. For more information, please contact Spokane International Translation at: 509-327-8064 or email: sit@perciba.com.
Spokane County United Way continues to support our community during the current pandemic and beyond. $2.2 million has been raised for the COVID-19 Response and Recovery fund through a partnership with United Way, Innovia Foundation, and Empire Health Foundation. Click here to learn more. 65,000 Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) items were donated by our community. The donation center was managed by our staff and volunteers. These items will go to hospital staff and first responders. Click here to learn how you can donate masks to essential workers. Over 500 volunteer positions related to COVID-19 have been filled using our volunteer site VolunteerSpokane.org. Find your opportunity there.
$676,352 in federal funding has been awarded to United Way for local nonprofits, faith-based and governmental organizations who provide food, shelter and supportive services. Click here to learn more about the EFSP and CARES funding application process.
About us: Refugee Connections Spokane was founded in 2011 to advocate for refugees’ and immigrants’ self-empowerment, to foster community bonds and celebrate talents and traditions across cultures.
For more information:
Marijke Fakasiieki
Executive Director
Refugee Connections Spokane
marijkef@refugeeconnectionsspokane.org
www.refugeeconnectionsspokane.org
(509) 209-2384 (o)
RCS Continues Census 2020 Outreach through October 31, 2020!
The Census Bureau www.2020census.gov provides language support including language guides in 56 languages and phone support in 13 languages. The online census form is available in a variety of languages.
To be counted, go to: http://my2020census.gov/ It only takes 5 minutes of your time.
To have a Census Cultural Liaison in Arabic, Kinyarwanda/French/Swahili, Marshallese, Nepali, or Russian, please reach out to help you be counted, please contact marijkef@refugeeconnectionsspokane or (509) 209-2384. We are still hiring for Hmong, Vietnamese, Karen, Chin, and Korean languages.
To be counted, go to: http://my2020census.gov/ It only takes 5 minutes of your time.
To have a Census Cultural Liaison in Arabic, Kinyarwanda/French/Swahili, Marshallese, Nepali, or Russian, please reach out to help you be counted, please contact marijkef@refugeeconnectionsspokane or (509) 209-2384. We are still hiring for Hmong, Vietnamese, Karen, Chin, and Korean languages.
