Have you ever helped someone learn to drive or enrolled children in school? Do you know where to shop for groceries, how to open a bank account, or apply for jobs online? If so, you already have the experience you need to welcome new members of our community!
The Partnership for Better Health and Carlisle United Methodist Church are coordinating with area resettlement agencies to host a public information session about Welcome Corps. Announced by the U.S. federal government in January, Welcome Corps is a new service opportunity for Americans to welcome refugees seeking freedom and safety.
The information session is open to the public and will be held at Carlisle United Methodist Church (333 S. Spring Garden Street) on Tuesday, March 14, at 5 PM. Event sponsors aim to recruit and guide interested local volunteers with plans to assist new refugees in the tasks of gaining initial housing, securing employment, and becoming involved in the local community.
Speakers will include Carlisle Mayor Sean Schultz, Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg, Church World Services of Harrisburg, International Service Center, and Catholic Charities of Harrisburg. Some of the resettlement agencies anticipate doubling the number of new refugees they will serve in the coming year.
“Carlisle has a long tradition of being a welcoming community—people here know it’s a joy to be of service to others,” said Becca Raley, Executive Director of the Partnership for Better Health. Greater Carlisle played a significant role in welcoming Vietnamese families in the 1970s and 1980s. More recently, the successful resettlement of Afghan and Ukrainian families fleeing war and persecution has involved dozens of local volunteers and agencies.
“Whether they first arrived generations ago or just this year, our community is home to people from around the world,” Raley noted. “The strength of our nonprofits, faith-based organizations, schools and robust employment sector make us uniquely well suited to build on our welcoming tradition.”
Click here for an agenda from the March 14 event, or view our Resource Guide for Resettlement Volunteers.