Asylee Women Enterprise Update!

Written on: April 10, 2014

The Grey Nuns of the Sacred Heart are one of nine Congregations of women religious who support the Asylee Women Enterprise (AWE). Following is information from their latest email:

1. To keep you informed about this huge issue
2. To offer you an opportunity to contribute to this critical enterprise
3. So that you may rejoice in the wonderful work they are doing for women seeking asylum.

Please pass this on to anyone you think may be interested in this enterprise!

United Nations releases 2013 data regarding asylum seekers

A report released on March 26, 2014 by the United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) reports the second largest number of asylum seekers in 20 years..  Some interesting facts from the data include:

• An estimated 612,700 asylum applications were registered in 2013 in the 44 industrialized countries covered by this report, some 133,000 claims more than the year before (+28%). This is the third consecutive annual increase and the second highest annual level of the past 20 years.
• In North America, an estimated 98,700 new asylum applications were submitted in 2013, an increase of 8 per cent compared to 2012 (91,300 claims). The United States recorded approximately 88,400 claims, 17,600 claims more than in 2012 (+25%).
• The Syrian Arab Republic, the Russian Federation, Afghanistan, Iraq, Serbia and Kosovo were the five top source countries of asylum-seekers in the 44 industrialized countries in 2013.

With ever growing civil unrest in many countries like Syria and the Central African Republic the number of asylum seekers and refugees does not look to decrease in 2014.  Now more than ever our voices are needed to speak out for the voiceless and protect those that are not able to protect themselves.  Click here to read the report

Success Story

When an asylum seeker comes to AWE we realize that our journey together will be long.  We often talk about the day they will get asylum, the day they will be reunited with their family or the day they move out of AWE housing and into their own place.  The last step, moving out into their own place, is often bittersweet for all of us in the AWE community.  We are so happy that they are ready to move on but sad to see them leave.  One of the wonderful things about building community is that if someone is part of the community they can move their location but their relationship to the community will continue.

In the next couple of months two asylees will be moving.  They will be moving into their first apartments here in the U.S. Fortunately, both have had the opportunity to build a community of support, find employment that pays a living wage and save money so they can buy a car and take care of themselves and their family.  Because the focus for them has been to thrive and not merely survive they move forward with confidence and self-empowerment.  They are not reliant on government subsidies but are self-sufficient!  We are excited for them and know that they will succeed and thrive here in their new home.  They will be part of the AWE community forever and for that we are grateful.

~Ubuntu Circle ~
Ubuntu: Because of You I Am

Did you know that last year AWE provided services to 76 asylum seekers, asylees and refugees?  We have seen a huge increase in the number of individuals that are in need of assistance, not just with housing, but with community and companionship.

Although our services has increased from 12 -76 in just two and a half years our budget has not kept pace.  We need your support!  This work cannot happen without you.

Please consider becoming a monthly donor.  We are hoping that 20 people will join our Ubuntu Circle.  Your monthly donation can be any level that you choose from $5 a month to $500 a month.  DONATE NOW!

This entry was posted in With a Heart for Justice and tagged: Afghanistan, Asylee Women Enterprise, Asylum, asylum seekers, Central African Republic, confidence, families, housing, Iraq, Kosovo, Refugees, Russian Federation, self-empowerment, Serbia, Syria, Syrian Arab Republic