 Image of a food menu in 2021 for Afghan refugees
This week, we want to thank the ODHS Office of Resilience and Emergency Management (OREM) who helped set up supports in September 2022 for the Welcome Center. OREM, part of the Oregon Department of Human Services, is tasked with providing shelter and food in emergencies and under other extenuating circumstances. When ODHS received notice that Afghan refugees would be coming to Oregon in October 2021 after United States troops withdrew and their country plunged into military conflict followed by an economic crisis, a drought and lack of food, OREM went into action. Because of OREM’s experience providing mass care services to the Afghan refugees during this time, OREM was able to quickly set up the Welcome Center when called upon later.
OREM’s regional teams in the area were intricately involved in establishing the program. Jeff Gilbert (Regional Emergency Coordinator); Darlene Thao, Marleen Zytniowski, Ivonne Mora-Hernandez (Social Service Emergency Liaison); all of the Disaster Case Managers and Mass Care Specialists created the shelter, feeding and case management programs. This team was responsible for connecting local, culturally-responsive feeding vendors as well as navigating many other key elements (safety, transportation, etc.) that contributed to the Welcome Center's efforts to provide a safe and caring community space. All of this work would have never been possible without the incredible support of OREM’s finance and procurement team of Max Seiler and Martha Jirovec.
“It was truly collaborative and humanitarian. These types of missions are very special to our team as we get the opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of others,” Gilbert said.
We are so grateful for their work and their community-building!
Important reminder: Please note the Welcome Center is no longer accepting new guests. For more information see the Sept. 29 Community Partner Welcome Center Update.
Resources for food:
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