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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04.01.21 FW_ Request for consultation with Supervisor From:Snyder, Ashley To:Paulsen, Shaina Subject:FW: Request for consultation with Supervisor Date:Thursday, April 1, 2021 9:04:57 AM Attachments:image002.png 2020 ODI Annual Report.pdf Opening Doors-Welcoming Refugees.pdf Morning, As email went to each of the Supervisors, please save in Board Correspondence. Ashley N. Snyder Assistant Clerk of the Board Butte County Administration 25 County Center Drive, Suite 200, Oroville, CA 95965 T: 530.552.3307 | F: 530.538.7120 Twitter | Facebook | YouTube | Pinterest From: Jessie Tientcheu <jessie@openingdoorsinc.org> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2021 12:16 PM To: Teeter, Doug <DTeeter@buttecounty.net> Cc: Clerk of the Board <clerkoftheboard@buttecounty.net> Subject: FW: Request for consultation with Supervisor ATTENTION: This message originated from outside Butte County. Please exercise judgment before opening .. attachments, clicking on links, or replying. Dear Supervisor Teeter, My name is Jessie Tientcheu, and I am the CEO of Opening Doors, a Sacramento-based nonprofit organization. Opening Doors supports refugees, immigrants, survivors of human trafficking, and others on their pathway towards stability, self-sufficiency, and belonging. For a bit of background on our organization, I have attached our 2020 Annual Report to this email. In partnership with Church World Service, Opening Doors resettles refugees in the US Refugee Admissions Program. Since 1975, Americans have welcomed over 3 million refugees from all over the world. Refugees have built new lives, homes and communities in towns and cities in all 50 states. I have also attached a brief description of the Refugee Admission Program, and support that Opening Doors provides to newly arrived refugees. We are exploring the possibility of expanding our service area to include Butte county. Since public support for welcoming refugees is key to the success of any resettlement program, and ultimately to the integration of refugees into their new communities, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss this program with you, answering any questions you might have and hearing any concerns as well. Would you have any time next week for a brief phone call? Many thanks, Jessie Jessie Tientcheu (she/her/hers) Chief Executive Officer 1111 Howe Avenue, Suite 125 Sacramento, CA 95825 916-492-2591 ext. 207 916-662-9122 (cell) jessie@openingdoorsinc.org openingdoorsinc.org This message is forthe intended recipient only and may be confidential and/or legally privileged.If you have received this e- mail in error, please notify the sender by replying and delete it from your system. ANNUAL REPORT 2020 ADAPTING TO SUPPORT CLIENT NEEDS DURING COVID-19 economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. An estimated 40% of Opening Doors’ clients experienced Factors such as unpaid leave, in cash assistance to $157,789 care of a sick relative or families affected by COVID-19 children out of school, loss of wages or shortened hours threaten families’ stability. Many of our clients do not have meals, grocery boxes, food 1,011 access to traditional social vouchers, and Eid meals safety nets such as unemployment assistance, federal stimulus checks, or $390,549 in rent paid on behalf of healthcare. families made vulnerable by COVID-19 Beyond our regular programs, Opening Doors also recognized the need to meet clients’ immediate needs. in small business loan $84,030 We quickly mobilized to stabilize refugee and deferrals for micro-entrepreneurs immigrant households that are especially vulnerable during this crisis. We distributed cash relief for rent, utilities, tablets and laptops to families 141 food, and other essential items for families in for online learning and activities the greater Sacramento region. Opening Doors | openingdoorsinc.org | info@openingdoorsinc.org | (916) 492-2591 THE YEAR IN REVIEW WELCOMING REFUGEES newly settled families further refugees supported with individualized welcomed to goals-oriented services Sacramento 45735 SUPPORTING SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING survivors found safety and accessed mental and medical care, resources for housing and other immediate needs, employment assistance, and immigration legal services. 110 EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY hours of business jobs advice given to created or 38 micro-entrpreneurs maintained 52 1,556 DEFENDING IMMIGRANTS immigrants received free services including deportation relief, asylum applications, DACA, and citizenship. Informed 245 families of their legal rights through consultation clinics. 541 HELPING TO HEAL PAST TRAUMA women accessed clients recovering from trauma resources via online received counseling, mental peer support group health services and support. 17 12 REVENUE Refugee Programs $1,085,108 In 2020, Opening Doors' revenue from all sources was $3,428,837. Our expenses for the year were $3,196,936. $648,267 EXPENSES: TRUE PROGRAM COSTS Direct Program Expenses Economic Prosperity Programs 85% $335,799 Our ability to sustainably deliver on our Shared Program Expenses Immigration Legal Services mission depends on strong core support 9% $681,773 functions. Each program is supported by FINANCIALS Administrative Expenses Health Programs and shares responsibility for core mission 4% $216,190 support, which includes the following Fundraising Expenses English Language Programs types of costs: direct program costs, 3% $21,838 shared program costs, administration, Calendar year 2020 and fundraising. WELCOMING REFUGEES Resettling refugees in the U.S. WHO IS A REFUGEE?THE UNITED STATES REFUGEE ADMISSIONS PROCESS A Refugee is a person who is outside his or her country 1. APPLYING TO THE USRAP of origin and is unable to Refugees apply to the US Refugee return due to a fear of Admissions Program (USRAP) persecution because of after registering with the United their: 2. PRESCREENING INTERVIEW Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Refugees are referred to Resettlement Support Centers (RSCs) by the UNHCR. RSCs, funded by US Government, review documents, and conduct initial Race 3. USCIS INTERVIEW interviews. An officer with US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) determines eligibility to resettle Religion 4. SECURITY CHECKS to the United States. Multiple security checks involving the Departments of State, Homeland Security & Defense and other federal agencies, including Nationality 5. MEDICAL SCREENING biometric fingerprint checks. Each member of the family is screened for communicable diseases and other issues that may pose a threat to others. Political Opinion 6. CULTURAL ORIENTATION RSCs provide a cultural orientation about traveling to the US and what 7. TRAVEL refugees can expect once they arrive. The RSCO coordinates with the Membership in a International Organization for Social Group Migration (IOM) to schedule refugees' travel to the US. Refugees are required to repay their travel loans within 3.5 years There are 26 million 8. RESETTLEMENT IN THE U.S. of arrival in the US. refugees worldwide Resettlement agencies work with refugees over 90 days to help them achieve self-sufficiency. If additional assistance is required, Half of all refugees agencies connect them to other 9. POST-RESETTLEMENT are children services. After 1 year, refugees apply to become lawful permanent residents. After 5 years, refugees Less than 1% of refugees may apply to become American worldwide are able to citizens. resettle in a 3rd country Opening Doors info@openingdoorsinc.org | www.openingdoorsinc.org (916) 492-2591 @openingdoorsinc REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT SERVICES Supporting refugees’ successful transition to life in U.S. REFUGEES’ FIRST 90 DAYS IN U.S. Refugees are the most vetted travelers to the United States. The screening process can take as long as 2 years. welcome them at the airport. We transport them to housing that we have arranged for them, including basic furniture, household items, and an initial supply of food. and receive Opening Doors staff is their main point of contact and is there to help. Staff address their immediate needs, including initial pocket money, secure housing, and a food allowance. Our diverse staff speak over 10 languages and provide interpretation as needed. and supports them to enroll in employment services to assist them in their job search. Secure employment is the fastest way to Refugees register their children in a public school. If they or their enroll in an English language class. Refugee families receive an initial health screening and Opening Doors explains how to access health services when they need them. Staff also help them apply for health insurance if it is not offered through their employer, or for government health coverage if they are eligible. Opening Doors staff help refugees learn more about their new community through Cultural Orientation classes. Topics include their rights and responsibilities as a legal resident and how to access help if they need it. support refugees to develop and implement a plan to achieve 90 days, staff connect them to other community or government services. Opening Doors info@openingdoorsinc.org | www.openingdoorsinc.org @openingdoorsinc (916) 492-2591