BURMESE
The biggest change is that the 5 Burmese we were expecting were diverted to another state. We had not been granted final Department of State approval for this group and so it was decided that this group needed to be directed to an approved site. However the good news is that our response to preparing for these 5 made it possible for us to request approval in the future and I think we may indeed do this!

Another smaller change was that a single man from Sudan was held up from arrival. He is still awaiting resettlement but there must have been some hold up -- this can be for administrative reasons, paperwork, getting the flu, needing other medical follow up etc. We are not informed of the reason, just the delay. We hope to welcome him soon.

SOMALI
Our first Somali family arrived -- two parents, 4 minor children and grandmother. They have never experienced a westernized lifestyle and have had to learn a lot very quickly! Learning how to use locks, how to use a refrigerator and how to ride in cars have all been firsts for them these few weeks. But they are starting to get settled in with the help of the staff, an excellent volunteer family mentor team and the Somali community support. They will be enrolling in English classes and school in the next 1-2 weeks as soon as all the medical issues are covered. We are grateful to see how much everyone has pulled together around this family.

FORMER ZAIRE (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Two Congolese single men arrived in March. This may be the end of our Congo clients for awhile, we don't have others on the waitlist at this time.

BHUTANESE
We have Bhutanese families now on the waitlist! We have 43 individuals all together that we are expecting and we have news of our first arrivals. A single man will arrive 4/16 and then two families each of 4 individuals will arrive 4/22.

SUDANESE
Three single men from Sudan arrived April 3rd. Thanks to a terrific landlord team we have been able to hold a few one bedroom apartments that they will be set up in that will then hopefully become apartments we can rotate to other refugees over the course of the year. If any other landlords are willing to do this it would be terrific for the program and keeps the landlord without vacancies, once the apartments become initially occupied.

Thank you to everyone who has been engaged with us in these activities -- it has really enhanced all that the program is able to provide to the clients we serve.

Warm Meal Providers
We currently have openings on our Warm Meal List. This is a group of volunteers who prepare culturally appropriate meals for our new arrivals. Often it takes weeks for clients' public assistance to come through and they have almost no money. You can assist our clients in a most basic way by donating prepared food. Contact Melissa for more information.

World Refugee Day
This celebration is on Friday, June 19th at the Mountain View Lion's Club Park. Steering Committee members needed! Please contact Ellen Krsnak at 222-7327.

ESL Tutors
People with ESL experience are needed to assist our clients who have employment conflicts with regularly schedule English Language Classes. If you would like to work one-on-one with a refugee to help them learn English, Please contact Melissa, 222-7344.

Family Mentors
We are always in need of Family Mentors to help new clients feel welcome to Alaska. This is a hefty time commitment - at least two hours a week and we recommend this opportunity to people who have had previous cross-cultural experience. Please be prepared to remain on our waiting list for up to 4 months.

We have had a temporary change in our furniture donation set up. We are currently not working with Safe Harbor Inn.
Right now we need mattresses desperately - especially twin bed sizes. We prefer to get the full set, mattress box spring and frame, but we will make due with whatever we can receive. If you have a mattress please call Kerina at 222-7359 and she will work with you about how to get it here. If you can drop them off that is great, if not, we will try to figure out a way to come by and collect.

Furniture – at this time we are seeking these furniture items:
Mattress, bedsprings and frames (twins and double/ queen size)

Kitchen tables and chairs – all sizes

Dressers or book shelves

Recliners

Household Items needed:

Pots and pans sets

Buckets and Mops, Brooms and Dustpans

Blankets and comforters

Cleaning supplies – 409, windex, sponges

Laundry Baskets, Laundry Detergent

Garbage Cans – kitchen and bathroom sizes

Sets of knives for cooking

Silver wear sets

Shower curtain rods and hooks

Cutting boards

Gloves -- mittens for kids and gloves for grownups

New Socks -- for all ages and sizes

Winter Hats -- for all sizes

New pillows (for sanitary reasons they need to be new) and Pillow cases

New car seats – infant and toddler (we are not able to recycle seats due to safety)

Mixing Bowls

Bath towels and bath mats

Irons

Inexpensive answering machines to use with a landline phone

Wallets and watches for men and women

Vacuum cleaners – second hand are great