SOUTHWICK – About 45 residents, some from the American Inn, gathered at the American Inn for an informational meeting regarding refugees. The event was hosted by W.A.R.M. (Welcoming Assistance Refugee Ministry), a group of churches who are working to help refugees settle in the area.
Shirley Anderson is a member of W.A.R.M. and she started off the event by welcoming everyone in attendance before she introduced the guest speakers.
The guest speakers were Mohammed Najeeb and Liliya Pantus, who both work for Ascentria, which is an organization that helps refugees once they come to the United States. The speakers are based out of the Westfield Ascentria office and partners with W.A.R.M.
Najeeb, who arrived in America as a refugee from Iraq in 2009, discussed the diversity of America as well as the refugees.
A large crowd of American Inn residents gathered for the informational meeting on Thursday night. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
“We are many, and from many backgrounds, and so are those coming from our country,” said Najeeb.
According to Najeeb and Pantus, the refugees they deal with at Ascentria have come from Iraq, Ukraine, Somali, Bhutan, Congo, Burundi, and Syria.
Najeeb began to speak to the crowd about the process Ascentria goes through with the refugees when they reach the United States.
Ascentria members will pick up the family from the airport and then proceed to help them get the proper housing, food, and clothing.
An important aspect to helping the refugees become settled in their new area is having them learn the culture around them.
It can be things like learning to operate a house, or how to ride the bus. Najeeb addressed the crowd to explain just how critical those examples can be for the refugees.
“To you, it’s simple, for them (refugees), it’s complicated.”
Ascentria continues to help the people not only become more acquainted with their surroundings, but also help them succeed. Ascentria requires the refugees that are between the ages of 18 and 64, to go to ESL (English as a Second Language) classes four days a week.
Having a job is also important, as Ascentria transports the refugees to interviews and assists them with the job process.
“Our goal is to help them become self-sufficient,” said Najeeb.
Ascentria helps refugees resettle throughout all of Hampden County, but the main communities include Springfield, West Springfield, Westfield, and Chicopee.
Guest speaker Mohammed Najeeb speaks to the crowd about refugee resettlement. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
Pantus, who is from Ukraine and has been in America for 20 years now, started to speak to the crowd and emphasize the meaning of a community and how “we’re all neighbors”.
It was meaningful for Pantus to talk about refugees wanting to connect with their community.
“How do we get to know each other?” said Pantus. “How do we get to know these cultures?”
Ascentria also has a mentoring program in which citizens in the community can be assigned to refugees and get to know them by going to their home.
Anderson informed the crowd that another informational meeting will take place in February. It will focus on another topic of discussion regarding refugees.
The showing from the community pleased Anderson is she is looking forward to the future meetings.
“I anticipate it growing,” said Anderson. “I think people are really interested, they have questions.”
