1. Lexington Refugee Assistance Program "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."  Margaret Mead 

2. LexRAP – Who We Are, What We Do
Focus: Help Refugees and Asylum Seekers Locally
Provide a support network for housing, language learning, and socialization
Formed in September 2015; achieved non-profit status in 2016
Community based
100% volunteer supported
Has strong support of Lexington interfaith community
Work with local refugee resettlement and asylum agencies
Overseen by a board of directors & Officers
Active Steering Committee meets monthly

3. Lexington - History of Refugee Outreach
LexRAP is natural extension of the area’s history of helping refugees over the last 45 years
1970s: Families welcomed and housed Russian “Refusniks”
1980s “Boat People” Crisis: Lexington interfaith group helped and housed 15 Cambodian families
Others: Vietnamese, Bosnian, and Croatian people fleeing violence and oppression

4. The Current Situation - Crisis Level Not Seen Since After WWII
22.5 million refugees Over half under the age of 18
The Current Situation - Crisis Level Not Seen Since After WWII

5. A Refugee is someone who has been forced to flee their country of origin because of persecution, war, or violence
Well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group
Granted refugee status overseas by the U.N. and then vetted and approved by U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Brought to U.S. by a designated agency for resettlement
Refugees have access to federal programs and benefits
Refugee status is not given to people seeking only economic betterment

6. Hurdles Refugees Face
Most spend years in refugee camps before receiving refugee designation
Refugees are subject to the strictest form of security screening
Extensive background, security and health checks taking 2 to 5 years
Refugees must pay back cost of airfare to resettlement agency
Upon arrival in U.S., federal financial and social service support lasts only 3 months
Within the 3 months, they must:
Get medical clearance (TB, vaccinations, etc.)
Complete hours of mandated ESL
Get their children enrolled in school
Apply for Food Stamps and any other assistance
Get a job
Find and pay for housing

7. An Asylum Seeker (Asylee) is someone whose request for sanctuary has yet to be processed or granted
Asylees travel to the U.S. on their own or arrive on a student or visitor visa
Declare asylum upon arrival–often put immediately in detention center
To be granted asylum and refugee status, asylum seekers must meet same international definition of refugee
First hearing for grant of asylum status may take several years
While waiting for first hearing, not eligible for government assistance
Must wait 6 months after asylum application before being granted work permit

8. An Unaccompanied Minor is a child under 18, either a refugee or asylee, who does not have a parent or guardian available to provide for their long term care 
Receives full range of assistance, care, and services available to foster children by the state
Housed and cared for by state-licensed foster hosts
The Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) provides financial support and an assigned case worker until age 22
Unaccompanied minors do very well—thrive
Pause for questions

9. Assistance LexRAP Currently Provides
Family focused support, led by a social worker or “lead”
Extensive tutoring for children
Liaison to schools
Finding/paying for summer camp
Assistance finding housing
Hosting asylees with LexRAP families
Financial assistance for asylees
Mentoring for employment
Coat and laptop drives
Monthly brown bag lunches for ESL class in Lowell
Financial support for continuing education and job training
Over 30 donated laptops refurbished and given to students refugees

10. “Immigrants are housed in towns that they can afford
“Immigrants are housed in towns that they can afford. They need to be housed in towns that can afford them.” Donna Vaillancourt
Donna Vaillancourt and her husband Sean Kavanagh took a Syrian family of seven into their home and then created a community network in Carlisle to support them. LexRAP provided a social worker who has led a group of volunteers and tutors working closely with the schools. A house was rehabbed where they spent a year before accessing public housing for the long term.

11. What Can You Do? Volunteer. Sign-up at www.lexrap.org
Stay connected through newsletter—join our mailing list through website
Donate (by check or Paypal)
Become a sustaining member (individuals or organizations)
Consider hosting an asylee or fostering an unaccompanied minor – an experienced host will talk one-on-one with you
Participate in events and activities—come to monthly steering committee meetings
Donate laptops (we refurbish and give to refugees)
Organize your group/congregation to do one event a year and donate funds to LexRAP: pancake breakfast, offertory plate, even a bake sale!
Help spread the word!

12. QUESTIONS? www.lexrap.org
Thank You!
QUESTIONS?