A f r i c a n R e f u g e

Drop-in-Center: African Refuge’s Drop-in-Center continues to service as the fulcrum for the delivery of services in the Parkhill and Stapleton neighborhoods. In 2006, there were over 4000 visits to the center by community members seeking a variety of services including training, educational events, and information on job-related issues, entitlement programs and referrals to outside agencies. The Center’s volunteers active participation within the community has proven to be an effective means of outreach. The open dialogue that the Center maintains with the community allows it to respond to the particular needs and concerns of the community members, which include: information and referral resources, employment assistance, resume preparation, health care insurance resources, legal referrals, immigration assistance, monthly HIV testing, meeting space resources, and computer training.

Volunteer Recruitment Program: African Refuge maintains a volunteer recruitment program to increase the number of people who are able to provide services to the community. During 2006, a total of six (6) volunteers were recruited. The volunteers participated in a two week in-service training program on skills development in general office support, African Refuge Standards of Operation (ARSOP), and also as information specialists in important entitlement programs critical for our participants.

Community Building: Community building is another resource that African Refuge provides. It took a leadership role in organizing the 2006 Annual Parkhill Day Street Fair, which featured community education on social services, employment opportunities, health awareness, including free and confidential HIV testing, cultural performances, and live entertainment. As a consequence, African Refuge has been able to increase its presence within the community and to foster the idea of unity throughout the community collaboration. African Refuge has organized meetings that have promoted dialogue between the New York Police Department Community Affairs Office and the Parkhill Community concerns about youth and crime. The goal is to bridge the gap between the community and the NYPD with the objective of improving the Police and Community relationship as well as security in the neighborhood. Another community building initiative which attracted many youths and elders in the community was the Mural Project, which took place on October 9, 2006. The symbolism of placing all the represented experiences into the mural promoted cohesiveness to the community through visual arts. The Mural Project is a great example of the community building work of African Refuge and was covered by the Staten Island Advance newspaper.

Community Advisory Board: African Refuge maintains a Community Advisory Board which currently includes prominent leaders from social service agencies, faith-based institutions, tribal associations, and business leaders. The function of the Board is to: increase community involvement, provide expert advice and technical support, fundraise, and build the institutional capacity of African Refuge.

Family Advocacy and Support Project. African Refuge’s Family Advocacy and Support program engages families facing critical issues. Volunteers are advocates on issues such as education, housing, immigration, and entitlements benefits. Moreover, the key agenda, has been the creation of a culturally sensitive and integrated community-based after-school program. This now has been addressed through the development of an after-school program at the Drop-in-Center in partnership with the International Rescue Committee (IRC).

Computer Literacy Course: African Refuge initiated a formal Computer Literacy Course at the Drop-In Center to train people in basic computer skills. The Course has been developed as a friendly introduction to the world of computers. Trainees are provided with instruction on computer basics, including components of the computer, keyboarding basics, using the computer mouse, creating and printing simple documents, and introduction to the Internet and basic email functions.

Coming Home: Coming Home is an arts initiative that uses photography and film to connect older Liberians in the Diaspora with friends and family at home. A group of eight elders in Staten Island, New York came together over the course of two months to create messages for the Project Coordinator to carry to friends and family in Liberia. The Project Coordinator delivered the messages, filmed responses, and returned them to the Staten Island community. The goals of the Coming Home project were to: enhance the social connections of and support for older Liberians in the Diaspora; increase local service providers understanding of the context from which the Liberians on Staten Island fled; address the culture and values of older Liberians in the Diaspora; and raise public awareness and funding to address the special needs of Liberian elders.

Coming Home culminated in a resounding and poignant multimedia exhibit on December 2-9, 2006 at Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island, New York. The exhibit featured stories, photos and films taken by the elders, their friends, families and allies. Numerous people from diverse backgrounds attended the exhibit. In response to demand, plans are currently underway to re-exhibit the photos at various locations, making Coming Home the first traveling arts exhibition of African Refuge.

Consortium of African Community Service Providers (CACSP): African Refuge continues to play an instrumental role in the operations of the Consortium of African Community Service Providers (CACSP) and continues to take a leading role in its operation and development. The Consortium was started in 2003 by organizations serving the African refugee and immigrant community in Staten Island to help find answers to the growing needs of immigrants, refugees and asylees. The mission of the Consortium is to build a cohesive system of service delivery that promotes individual and family support and helps people acculturate into the surrounding community. The Consortium facilitates communication between service providers, schools and communities, providing a forum to discuss issues affecting the community. It works to build opportunities for positive youth development through neighborhoods, schools, parks, religious facilities, and to expand youth leadership with opportunities to serve as problem solvers. It encourages collaboration between educators and human service providers to strengthen connections between the home, school, and community. It works to establish common goals, objectives and core measures to enhance accountability and gaps in services. The Consortium meet once a month to discuss issues of concern to members of African community in Staten Island.

Youth Leadership Program: In early Spring 2007, African Refuge invited a group of teenagers between the ages of 12-16 from the West African community in Staten Island to an important meeting to discuss the growing needs of youth in this community. The results of this meeting highlighted issues needing immediate attention: peer pressure, gang activities, social exclusion, language barriers, and cultural differences.
The participants democratically named the group “Future Leaders” marking the birth of African Refuge Youth Leadership Program. The goals of the program are to create opportunities for youth to meet and discuss issues of concern and develop leadership skills through community service, recreation, and mentoring.