October 15, 2009 6:48 PM
Laura Oleniacz
Sun Journal Staff
A truck full of last year’s models of mattresses and box springs from Sears that was donated to the Interfaith Refugee Ministry on Thursday will provide bedding for 13 refugees from Myanmar coming to the United States this week and next.
The Interfaith Refugee, based at 1233 Colony Drive in New Bern, is a resettlement agency for refugees who have fled their countries because of religious, ethnic, racial or political persecution. The nonprofit provides refugees with housing, food, clothing, employment, translation services and other needs.
“Refugees are people — the poorest of the poor,” said Susan Husson, nonprofit director, explaining that because of persecution, some refugees had to leave their homes quickly, taking only a few items and essentials such be photographs or official papers. “They have nothing when they come.”
Husson said the agency serves the refugees within 50 miles of their office. Families and individuals have been resettled as far north in Eastern North Carolina as Elizabeth City and as far south as Southport, she said.
When the families or individuals arrive at the airport, the nonprofit staff meets them and provides them transportation to their initial housing arrangements.
The refugees are provided with an orientation to teach them about the country’s culture and concept of time, the language, how to program a thermostat or work a washing machine, as well as mental health services as needed and other services.
“Someone has to tell them what it’s like to live here, which is the hardest job of all,” Husson said.
To help provide for the refugees, the agency takes donations of furniture, clothing, and new cleaning and personal hygiene supplies.
“Almost anything you can think of can be donated,” Husson said.
Many churches, local stores as well as individuals have helped supply the agency.
She said that Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern recently provided office furniture, and Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Beaufort is providing items including dishes, paper towels, soap, razors and pens.
The agency has also received donations from people who are downsizing to go into retirement facilities.
“Someone has donated almost an entire household,” she said.
Keith Chappell, owner of the Sears store in New Bern, said the mattresses and box springs were last year’s models or discontinued lines that would have been sent back to the vendor.
He said he convinced Sears’ upper management to donate instead of sending them back.
“I convinced them that this was such a worthy group here,” he said of the nonprofit. “Why not let’s give it away to someone?”
Jamie Mills, case worker with the Interfaith Refugee Ministry, said he thinks that all of the mattresses are going to be used.
There are three refugees who have fled Myanmar coming this week, and 10 people arriving next week.
“I think all of (the mattresses) are going to go very quickly,” he said.
Laura Oleniacz can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at loleniacz@freedomenc.com.
Facts at a glance
The Interfaith Refugee Ministry resettled 180 refugees in fiscal year 2009, 197 refugees in the prior fiscal year, and 275 refugees the year prior to that, said Susan Husson, nonprofit director.
How to help
The nonprofit takes donations of furniture, kitchen items, as well as new cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products, other items and cash donations. Call 633-9009 for more information.
Laura Oleniacz
Sun Journal Staff
A truck full of last year’s models of mattresses and box springs from Sears that was donated to the Interfaith Refugee Ministry on Thursday will provide bedding for 13 refugees from Myanmar coming to the United States this week and next.
The Interfaith Refugee, based at 1233 Colony Drive in New Bern, is a resettlement agency for refugees who have fled their countries because of religious, ethnic, racial or political persecution. The nonprofit provides refugees with housing, food, clothing, employment, translation services and other needs.
“Refugees are people — the poorest of the poor,” said Susan Husson, nonprofit director, explaining that because of persecution, some refugees had to leave their homes quickly, taking only a few items and essentials such be photographs or official papers. “They have nothing when they come.”
Husson said the agency serves the refugees within 50 miles of their office. Families and individuals have been resettled as far north in Eastern North Carolina as Elizabeth City and as far south as Southport, she said.
When the families or individuals arrive at the airport, the nonprofit staff meets them and provides them transportation to their initial housing arrangements.
The refugees are provided with an orientation to teach them about the country’s culture and concept of time, the language, how to program a thermostat or work a washing machine, as well as mental health services as needed and other services.
“Someone has to tell them what it’s like to live here, which is the hardest job of all,” Husson said.
To help provide for the refugees, the agency takes donations of furniture, clothing, and new cleaning and personal hygiene supplies.
“Almost anything you can think of can be donated,” Husson said.
Many churches, local stores as well as individuals have helped supply the agency.
She said that Christ Episcopal Church in New Bern recently provided office furniture, and Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Beaufort is providing items including dishes, paper towels, soap, razors and pens.
The agency has also received donations from people who are downsizing to go into retirement facilities.
“Someone has donated almost an entire household,” she said.
Keith Chappell, owner of the Sears store in New Bern, said the mattresses and box springs were last year’s models or discontinued lines that would have been sent back to the vendor.
He said he convinced Sears’ upper management to donate instead of sending them back.
“I convinced them that this was such a worthy group here,” he said of the nonprofit. “Why not let’s give it away to someone?”
Jamie Mills, case worker with the Interfaith Refugee Ministry, said he thinks that all of the mattresses are going to be used.
There are three refugees who have fled Myanmar coming this week, and 10 people arriving next week.
“I think all of (the mattresses) are going to go very quickly,” he said.
Laura Oleniacz can be reached at 252-635-5675 or at loleniacz@freedomenc.com.
Facts at a glance
The Interfaith Refugee Ministry resettled 180 refugees in fiscal year 2009, 197 refugees in the prior fiscal year, and 275 refugees the year prior to that, said Susan Husson, nonprofit director.
How to help
The nonprofit takes donations of furniture, kitchen items, as well as new cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products, other items and cash donations. Call 633-9009 for more information.
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