Winter Chronicle

Chronicle WINTER 2018

A Journey of Discovery and Hope

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ess than a month after his installation as the 13th bishop of the Diocese of Richmond, the Most Reverend Barry C. Knestout was in the Roanoke offices of Commonwealth Catholic Charities. His visit was part of a regional tour to get acquainted with the people and organizations of his new diocese.

The bishop toured the offices with CCC Executive Director, Joanne Nattrass. “Bishop Knestout was very interested in the programs,” said Nattrass.

“He greeted each person with great warmth, sincerity, and encouragement.”

The visit also gave CCC staff the opportunity to learn about the bishop. The bishop’s chosen motto of “Christ our Hope” is one that he conveys to all he meets.

"Our agency places a strong value on the role of hope," said Nattrass. "Sharing a vision with the new bishop is exciting. We look forward to continuing our journey of service together and continuing to discover ways to collaborate to serve the vulnerable.”

“Sharing information about our programs in a round table discussion was a highlight of the visit,” said Marge Thornton, Program Manager, Pregnancy Counseling and Adoption. “Bishop Knestout had great questions and was genuinely interested in learning about our services and meeting our staff.”

Other staff agreed.

“He is very passionate about our mission,” said Mahdieh Farooqi, Employment Specialist.

"He told me that my job as an employment specialist is a real blessing to those who have recently settled here and need to find work. His encouragement means a lot to me.”

In his first month, Bishop Knestout visited CCC’s Roanoke office and met with staff there on January 26, 2018. Pictured are Bishop Knestout, Joanne Nattrass, CCC Executive Director, and Amar Bhattarai, Director of Resettlement.

www.cccofva.org • Our mission is to provide quality, compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith.

Life's Unexpected Journey

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An Adoption Story

ike all newlyweds, when Kelsey and James married, they didn’t know what their journey together would hold. They faced the normal ups and downs of life together and, in time, became parents to two beautiful children, Ethan and Maura.

Their daughter, Maura, now 4, was born with cerebral palsy.

Following Maura's birth, the doctors told Kelsey and James that the trauma to Kelsey’s body from the delivery meant no more children.

Dreaming of a larger family, they began looking into adoption. In 2016, they met with a CCC adoption case worker.

“We asked her 101 questions about the process of adoption,” said Kelsey. “We prayed through it and talked to others who had adopted, and then officially submitted our application to CCC in January 2017.”

Several months later, in August, their home study was complete and they were officially ready to adopt. In an unusually fast turn of events, only 12 days later they learned they had been chosen by a birth mom who was pregnant with a baby boy and due in January 2018.

“It was crazy how fast it happened,” said Kelsey. “We really didn’t think we would be matched so quickly. We were able to spend the next four months getting to know our birth mom and preparing for our baby.”

Three weeks before his due date, they got the call that their baby was on his way.

“We hopped on an airplane and were able to be a part of the entire labor and delivery of our little man. When he was born, the doctors handed him to me. I even cut the cord,” said Kelsey. "Things may not have gone quite how we would have planned but the journey has strengthened us and taught us to love deeper. We are filled with joy when we look in the faces of each of our beautiful children."

Richmond's Foster Care Services Receives Licensure CCC is required to have a child placement license issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide foster care and adoption services. Our offices in Richmond, Roanoke and Norton are each issued an individual license. This year our Richmond office received a three-year license and Roanoke and Norton received a two-year renewal.

2 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities

A Journey of Service

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To aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria that hit the Virgin Islands in September 2017, CCUSA issued a call to Catholic Charities across the country for volunteers who could travel to the island of St. Croix and help those who were impacted by the storm. Suheir Diyab, CCC Resettlement Supervisor in Newport News, responded to the call.

“I spent hours talking to a young man about his losses from the hurricane,” said Diyab. “I shared my story of being a refugee. I believe that sharing hope and positive energy can always help. I met many amazing people whom I will never forget."

And we imagine that there are many people who won’t soon forget Diyab’s service, sacrifice, and kindness.

“Our CCC mission is to serve those in need,” said Diyab. “As a refugee myself, I know how it feels not to have a home and how important it is to get life back to normal with a roof over your head and your own bed to sleep in.”

Diyab joined five colleagues from other Catholic Charities and worked in a shelter for families whose homes were lost to the storm.

“Our tasks were helping families to follow-up with the emergency assistance applications, serving food, following-up with any urgent issues, and providing comfort and a listening ear," said Diyab.

When she arrived, there were 26 people in the shelter and after two weeks, most of them were able to go home.

Suheir Diyab, front left, with her volunteer colleagues from Catholic Charities (Above) and sorting and packing needed materials for storm victims (Left).

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As a refugee myself, I know how it feels not to have a home and how important it is to get life back to normal.

”

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Navigating the Homeless Journey At Richmond's Housing Resource Center

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ommonwealth Catholic Charities offers comprehensive services to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless at the Housing Resource Center located at 511 West Grace Street in Richmond.

While continuing to operate the City of Richmond’s emergency cold weather shelter, identifying permanent housing solutions is also a high priority.

“Homelessness is never a stand-alone problem,” said CCC Supportive Housing & Homeless Services Director, Abby Boyd. “There are always other factors involved which we are able to address.”

The Housing Resource Center is open for walk-in assistance to anyone who is homeless or facing homelessness. Case managers assist with accessing mainstream benefits such as food stamps and Social Security, as well as assisting with employment, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, housing search and location, meals, clothes, and toiletries.

In addition to serving the Richmond area, CCC offers assistance to anyone who is homeless in the adjacent communities of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan.

“We go wherever the clients are,” said Boyd. “Whether that is on the street, under a bridge, or in the woods. We go where we are needed.”

4 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities

Bashar's Journey

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ashar* grew-up in a remote village of Afghanistan. When he was 15-years-old, he was kidnapped by the Taliban and severely tortured. Almost a year-and-a-half later, he was found by villagers near the Turkish border and sent to a hospital in Istanbul. He spent the next nine months recovering in a children’s home.

In 2017, Bashar arrived in the United States and was resettled by CCC's Resettlement Program. Staff provided him with extensive assistance including English language classes, cultural orientation classes, medical assistance, and employment assistance. He has undergone two surgeries to help repair the damage done to his nerves by the Taliban.

Now, a self-sufficient young man of 18, Bashar holds a full-time job and hopes to continue his education soon.

He still worries about his family and, while he wishes he could locate them, he knows it is safer for them not to be contacted. He fears they would be targeted by the Taliban.

“Bashar’s journey has been extremely difficult but we are pleased that we could help him in his journey to safety and security,” said Abu Abdelrahman, Resettlement Supervisor. "We pray that his life in America will bring him the peace and joy he deserves.”

*Bashar's name has been changed to protect his identity.

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Journey

the

of a lifetime

A Refugee's Path to the United States

A refugee's journey is long and difficult with no guarantees. Each refugee must follow the steps below to be admitted into the United States. Refugees undergo a more rigorous screening process than anyone else to be granted entry into the country. The process can take anywhere from 18-24 months.

Forced to flee home because of wars, violence, and persecution.

Arrive in refugee camp and live in a tent. There is no running water, no school, no real economy.

Resettlement Support Center receives applicant information and begins an in-depth interview and biographic security check.

U.S. security agencies including FBI, State Department, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and National Counterterrorism Center start enhanced interagency security checks.

6 | Commonwealth Catholic Charities

Register with UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

The UNHCR interviews individual, collects and verifies biodata like name, address, birthday, place of birth etc. This screening may also include an iris scan.

Less than 1% of refugees worldwide are resettled each year.

Only the most vulnerable candidates proceed from this point.

DHS and U.S. Customs and Immigration (USCIS) officers specially trained for interviews collect fingerprints and conduct interviews.

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he final stage of the refugee's journey is resettlement. In coordination with various U.S. government departments, CCC helps to establish the just-arrived individuals in their new homes. CCC's Refugee Resettlement teams start with the very basics.

"The first step is housing and employment," said Amar Bhattarai , Director of Resettlement. "Imagine coming to a new country and not speaking―or reading―the language, having no car, no home, no income, and no cultural literacy. Now imagine trying to enroll your children in school, turning on the electricity to your apartment, or even finding a grocery store. It's terrifying."

Often, CCC is the only resource or connection for these individuals. Beyond housing and employment, CCC also assists with furnishing the home, English language classes, connecting to medical services, and cultural education.

"We also rely on the kindness and support of the communities," said Bhattarai. "Without volunteers to teach ESL classes, donate household items, and offer friendship we could not continue―and what we do is critical in the lives of these individuals who have already faced so much loss and heartache."

Resettlement through CCC.

Applicants complete cultural orientation classes and a resettlement location is determined.

Travel plans are finalized and, prior to entry into the U.S., applicants are screened by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and TSA.

Recurrent vetting occurs throughout each of these steps. All pending applications continue to be checked against terrorist databases.

Medical checks are conducted to screen for communicable diseases such as tuberculosis.

Fingerprints are screened using the FBI, DHS, and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) biometric databases.

*Information in this chart is taken from whitehouse.gov.

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