Refugees Ring in the Holiday Spirit
Hundreds of documented refugees come to Caritas of Austin each year fleeing religious and political persecution. For many, the journey to a new life in the United States is the first time leaving the small villages and rural environments where they lived. Caritas helps refugees acclimate to their new home, learn new skills and find employment.
For 10 documented refugees who found employment as bell ringers for the Salvation Army, this year marked their first holiday season in the United States.
The bell ringers are a common holiday tradition seen each year positioned in front of stores and along streets we pass daily. The custom of placing loose change into a bright red kettle is second nature for many. However, for refugees who have never experienced Christmas in the United States, this concept is brand new.
The opportunity to work as bell ringers would provide much needed employment to support their families while learning some of our holiday traditions.
Before beginning their jobs at local bell ringing stations, Caritas case managers and staff from Salvation Army spent time training refugees. They learned the basic principles of the position, including how to say, “welcome,” “thank you,” and “Merry Christmas.”
Aden, a refugee from Somalia, speaks very little English and had no previous exposure to western work and culture. Before coming to the United States, he had only been on a bus twice and was never far from his village.
Aden was stationed at Macy’s at Barton Creek Mall. It was a challenge to help him navigate the store and even find a restroom. But he did it. When his case manager visited him at work, Aden grinned, shook his kettle and said in an amazed voice, “Money is coming. Bell is ringing and they are giving!”
Basra, another refugee from Somalia, arrived for her first day and when Salvation Army Lt. Frankie Zuniga came to check on her, she was dancing, ringing the bell and getting people engaged to donate. Zuniga was amazed as she helped reassure him that Caritas clients can do the job and do it successfully!
Working as bell ringers has helped Caritas clients learn how to engage customers and follow basic work expectations. After only two days of work, they were all clearly feeling more confident about their English and ability to do a valuable job. They have also learned about charitable giving and nonprofit traditions. They were skeptical at first that people would really give, but now they are seeing how it works.
It takes a team of volunteers, interns, staff and translators to help them learn and keep the jobs. The Salvation Army staff has also been very supportive. After one day, they knew that refugees could contribute as valued employees. As the holidays come to an end, the refugees can apply their valuable experience to future positions.
Last Minute Gift Ideas
Books make great gifts and Caritas has an opportunity for you to meet the author this spring! Pick up a copy of the New York Times Bestseller, Breaking Night by Liz Murray and reserve your seat at the 5th Annual Speaker Series “Words of Hope” on April 25, 2012.Give the Gift That Keeps Giving
Determination and an Open Mind: How Refugees and Employers Can Succeed
Author: Jenny Hart, Caritas of Austin Intern
Ram and Mam Tee are refugees from Burma who fled their country in search of protection from persecution. After more than five years of traveling, struggling to support and protect their families, their journey to safety finally came to an end when they were brought to the United States by the federal government. In 2008 and 2009 Ram and Mam, respectively, arrived in Texas where they were referred to Caritas of Austin for assistance.
Caritas is a local non-profit organization that provides housing, employment and education services for documented refugees as they acclimate to their new home. Caritas partners with more than 140 local businesses that employ refugees through Caritas’ employment program. The Radisson Hotel and Suites has been working with Caritas for more than six years and have had success with recent refugee hires, like Ram and Mam Tee.
The determination and perseverance that helped them survive persecution is exhibited in their current positions at Radisson Hotel and Suites. Both men have worked their way up from Room Attendants to Housekeeping Supervisors in less than three years.
Originally farmers, Ram and Mam Tee worked in various positions after fleeing Burma, including the restaurant and construction industries. What seemed like a completely new career in housekeeping, Ram and Mam Tee were up to the challenge. They were able to use the skills they had developed at Caritas, in past employment and own through their own life experiences to excel. Yolanda Islas, Executive Housekeeper at Radisson, recognized that this experience would translate to hard work and good customer service.
Islas says she began working with Caritas because she believes teamwork comes naturally to the refugees she has employed. She says she enjoys working with Caritas because they provide employers with pre-screened employees, suitable for position openings. Caritas makes sure clients learn the skills they need to succeed. Caritas clients must to participate in job readiness classes and a variety of trainings designed to help refugees easily adjust to the American workforce.
Translators are another important element, from which employers, like the Radisson Hotel and Suites, benefit from. Because English is not a first language for most refugees, Caritas provides translators to help bridge the gap in understanding. Islas finds translation useful for training and employee meetings. However, Caritas does not only rely upon translators. Refugees are required to take English classes – provided by Caritas. Ram went above and beyond this obligation by continuing to attend English class before work everyday to help improve his communication and move up in his career. Now, both Ram and Mam Tee speak English, along with a variety of other languages they have learned while working with co-workers from various cultures. Mam Tee says one of his favorite parts of his job is meeting new people from different cultures.
Islas is confident that hiring clients through Caritas has been advantageous to the Radisson. She believes that future employers looking to hire refugees “need to have patience, because the training process takes a little more time.” She finds it beneficial to invest extra time in these employees because, “It is easy to train skills, but you can not train an attitude.” While some refugees might not possess an employer’s desired skill set, they are committed to learning and have a strong desire to succeed. Yolanda, Mam Tee, and Ram have all been witness to this fact. Refugees may not bring many possessions to this country but they do bring determination, dedication, and a positive attitude – all of which make up the characteristics of an invaluable employee.
ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot Team of Tweeters
20th Annual Harvey Penick Award Dinner
Click here to watch the short tribute video from the event.
Donna Stockton-Hicks and Steve Hicks
Angela Scandariato, National Instruments Volunteer
Staff from National Instruments volunteered their time in the Caritas Community Kitchen on Tuesday, May 24 in honor of a lost friend and colleague, Keith Mungin. As a part of their Spring Volunteer Campaign, the staff helped prepare and serve 350 lunches to hungry individuals waiting for a hot, nutritious meal.
The National Instruments team took time out of preparing sandwiches to tell me how important giving back was to them and means even more as they remember their colleague who passed two years ago this month.
Mungin was a manager at National Instruments and the team remembers how he pushed them to give back as much as possible. Mungin’s colleague and friend of five years, Angela Scandariato says, “Keith was passionate about volunteering and he shared his passion with his team as he organized outings and volunteer opportunities.”
It was an emotional moment for the team as they shared stories of a friend who they remember for his passion, volunteerism and charisma. Colleagues say Mungin’s passion came from his love for his team and the community. Angela says, “His region was his family, the community was his family.”
Keith Mungin
Another colleague, John, recalls meeting Mungin at a college where Mungin was recruiting. John remembers how Mungin was always dressed in a suit and looked “sharp.” Smiling, Angela says the ZZ Top Song, “Sharp Dressed Man” always reminded her of Mungin.
The reason they chose Caritas for a day of service and to honor his memory, Angela says, “He would have loved it here. I can imagine him here.”
Volunteers come to Caritas for many different reasons. We are grateful for their service and to hear the stories that brought them here. If you would like to volunteer in honor of someone who made an impact in your life or you want to start a tradition of giving at your workplace, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Molly Sipe at msipe@caritasofausin.org.
Austin is affectionately known as the “Live Capital Music of the World” and if you were not sure it lived up to the title, this week proves it!
Austin has been invaded with all things interactive, film and music for this year’s annual SXSW. The festival draws hundreds of thousands to Austin and the buzz can be heard – and felt – all over town, including our own backyard. Caritas is located just off of 6th Street in what many would consider prime real estate for enjoying the week’s festivities. Being in the heart of all the action does present its challenges, however, and serves as a reminder how fortunate many of us are to enjoy the talent Austin boasts each year at this time.
Despite the crowds and commotion, our clients can still eat lunch in the Community Kitchen Monday – Thursday this week from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. AND get a taste of live music as they dine.
Ensuring Caritas clients get to enjoy some live music of their own, ComboPlate Booking Presents: South by Soup Fest 2011. For 10 years, ComboPlate Booking has hosted the private showcase featuring live music in the Community Kitchen dining room exclusively for clients while they eat lunch.
For three days, March 15 -17, 2011, Caritas clients can enjoy the same live music that makes Austin – Austin. The lineup for the private Caritas shows can be found at http://comboplatebooking.com/sxsf/sxsf-2011/ and includes bands from all over the world.
The event makes its public debut on March 16 at Gueros for the ComboPlate Booking Roster Party SXSF – South by Soup Fest Benefit 2011. The event is FREE and open to the public.
The Roster Party on March 16, hosted and promoted by ComboPlate Booking, raises money for the Caritas Food Services Program, specifically the Community Kitchen and Food Pantry. From 1:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Gueros Taco Bar, located at 1412 S. Congress Avenue, audiences can enjoy the sounds from bands including Jiminy Crisket, Elliot, Rose & de Costa, and Moonlight Towers. For the complete lineup, visit http://comboplatebooking.com/sxsf/sxsf-gueros/.
All proceeds from raffles for items like CDs from the artists, gift certificates to local restaurants, coffeehouses and businesses benefit Caritas of Austin. Also, all band tips go to Caritas so show your appreciation for your favorite bands.
For those who cannot make the concert and want to help fight hunger. Visit the ComboPlate First Giving fundraising page at www.firstgiving.com/southbysoupfest to make a donation. Live music makes Austin great and this event gives everyone a chance to enjoy it.
Your support helps fight hunger and feed thousands. The Community Kitchen at Caritas serves on average 350 meals each weekday, totaling more than 100,000 meals each year. In addition, the Caritas Food Pantry provides enough take-home groceries for 70,500 meals each year.
For more information about South by Soup Fest and the public benefit performances on Wednesday, March 16 visit http://comboplatebooking.com/sxsf/sxsf-gueros/.
Rep. Naishtat, Caritas Executive Director Beth Atherton and Sen. Watson
Senator Kirk Watson and Representative Elliott Naishtat filed Senate Bill 876 and House Bill 1675, known as the Pathways to Employment Act.
The bill would provide a one-time fee waiver for homeless individuals seeking a Texas photo identification card.
The bill was announced this morning at a press conference in the Caritas Community Kitchen. Caritas Board Member, Jennifer Cumberbatch, Greg and Diana Bell with the Trinity Center, Ken Martin and Gina Black from Texas Homeless Network, Annie Reeves of San Antonio Metropolitan Ministries and members of various local media were in attendance.
Senator Watson said, “It’s fitting that we’re discussing this bill at Caritas. This legislation will help a lot of folks that Caritas helps and makes a real difference in many lives.”
The legislature instructs the Texas Department of Public Safety to waive the $16 fee associated with obtaining a TX photo id to an individual who can verify their homeless status with an affidavit provided by certain social service agencies, a licensed Texas attorney, or certain public school personnel.
“It is not uncommon for individuals facing homelessness to lose or leave behind many of their belongings, including personal identification,” Rep. Naishtat said. “This legislation is crucial because without an id, people do not have access to services, access to permanent housing, or access to employment opportunities. This proposal will help to lift individuals out of the cycle of homelessness.”
A cycle that Caritas helps clients break out of through supportive housing coupled with wraparound services like education and employment to support their stability.
Beth Atherton, Caritas Executive Director said, ”This bill will help homeless individuals overcome an important barrier on the path to self-sufficiency. An identification card creates opportunities for employment and most importantly, access to housing which is the key component to stability.”
Following the press conference, Sen. Watson and Rep. Naishtat helped prepare lunch in the Caritas Community Kitchen.
Freezing weather threatens homeless, but the threat doesn’t disappear once temperatures rise
Winter has arrived in Austin this week and the most vulnerable populations are feeling it even more. The city has declared freeze nights most nights this week and shelters, churches and volunteers are working hard to help the homeless get out of the cold. This effort, however, cannot possibly reach every individual and exposure has proven fatal.
After cold weather on Monday night, one homeless man was found dead along the side of a building near I-35 and Oltorf in South Austin. Reports from the Travis County medical examiner say exposure contributed to the 53 year old man’s death.
Sadly, this is not the first time someone has died on the streets of Austin. One Caritas client lost his life due to extreme heat in Waterloo Park.
Weather isn’t the only factor leading to death on the streets. Another Caritas client who suffered from health problems died near Lady Bird Lake. His medical conditions, had he been stabilized, could have been managed, but instead he died from lack of care. Exposure to the elements and without stabilization, the homeless face dangerous conditions year round.
The key to stabilization is housing. Housing, coupled with supportive services from agencies like Caritas, provides the foundation needed for individuals to stabilize and avoid life-threatening conditions and dangers of being homeless.
Inevitably temperatures will become mild and as they do, the homeless will fade into the background and away from headlines. So why do we only care about the homeless when temperatures drop to freezing? Help put a stop to homelessness with a permanent solution like housing.
There are an estimated 4,000 homeless individuals living in Austin on any given day, but this number is not exact and fluctuates. In order to calculate this figure, the Ending Community Homeless Coalition, ECHO, coordinates an annual, one day count of the homeless in Austin. This year’s Homeless Count and Survey is on Sunday, January 23 at 1:00 p.m. Three hundred volunteers are needed to cover sections of the city and survey the unsheltered population. Collecting good data on the number and service needs of homeless people is a critical component of agencies like Caritas since our success in reducing homelessness is based on this figure.
Get engaged and volunteer for this year’s Homeless Count and Survey on January 23. One afternoon of your time will help collect vital information used by agencies helping the homeless get off the streets. For more information, visit ECHO’s website at www.austinecho.org. Be a part of a permanent solution to homelessness and learn how you can help the homeless stabilize at www.caritasofaustin.org.
ThunderCloud Subs Co-Owner Mike Haggerty presents $255,000 to Caritas of Austin
Twenty-four hours after Mike Haggerty, Co-Owner of ThunderCloud Subs, presented Caritas with a check for $255,000 from this year’s ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot, the building is still buzzing with excitement. In it’s 20th year, this year’s record-breaking event turned out more than 18,300 participants and raised more than ever for Caritas of Austin.
Beth Atherton, Executive Director for Caritas and Bobby Jenkins, Board President stood with staff in shock as the check was presented on Monday morning in the Caritas Community Kitchen.
Beth Atherton said, “Caritas is thankful all year for ThunderCloud Subs and the outpouring of support from the community that made this ThunderCloud Subs Turkey Trot a record-breaking year. ThunderCloud’s long-standing commitment continues to help those in need and will prevent 170 families from becoming homeless. On their behalf and ours, thank you for your support, friendship and for making Caritas a part of the family.”
