Welcoming Washington:

Updates from the

Office of Refugee & Immigrant Assistance

Washington State Legislature Increases Funding for Naturalization Services

At the end of April, the Washington State Legislature finalized the state's budget for the next two years. The legislature approved an increase in $888,000 per year for naturalization services, allocating over $2.5 million per year in 2020 and 2021. Newer and more complex immigration policies have increased the demand for naturalization services and programs, so this increase is expected assist a larger number of immigrants. The budget also maintains funding levels for Limited English Proficiency Pathway Program, which assists refugees and immigrants with limited English proficiency to access employment and ESL services.

Community Members Provide Input on ORIA Programs

Throughout the month of the April, Washington's Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance (ORIA) hosted six community listening sessions to gather input from community members and service providers. The goal of these listening sessions was to have informative discussions on existing services, community strengths and challenges, and gaps in services related to refugee youth and older refugees. We heard from individuals representing many different community organizations as well as a wide array of ethnic, religious, and geographic communities. ORIA would like to thank all community members and organizations who took time to contribute to these sessions and share their perspectives. ORIA plans to incorporate ideas and recommendations into the development of the Refugee Youth Mentoring Program and Services for Older Refugees Program. ORIA anticipates releasing the applications for these funding opportunities in June.

Washington Unaccompanied Refugee Minor Featured by Federal Office of Refugee Resettlement

Doi Bu Marip came to Washington as an unaccompanied refugee minor after fleeing  conditions in Myanmar. Her story was recently featured in the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement's quarterly newsletter. She received support through the URM Program at Lutheran Community Services Northwest and went on to graduate from the University of Washington, Bothell. 

Ramadan 2019 Has Begun: May 6 - June 3

Every year, Muslims across the globe observe the holy 9th month of the Islamic calendar. Throughout the month, Muslims will fast from dawn to dusk to commemorate the first revelations of the Quran. Here in Washington we have a substantial Muslim community, many of whom are refugees and immigrants. Mosques across the state accept food and meal service donations to host those breaking their fast.

Sarah Peterson has her Dream Job: Welcoming Refugees to Washington

Sarah Peterson, Washington's State Refugee Coordinator and the chief of the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, was recently profiled in ThurstonTalk about why she loves her job supporting refugee and immigrant communities. 

Upcoming Events & Webinars

May

May 23: Refugee Training Programs Built with Industry Insights (Webinar), 7-8am
May 23: Ask A Welcoming Ambassador at Kent Library, 6-9pm
May 28: King County Refugee Housing Task Force at Rainier CSO, 2-4pm
May 30: Family Social Time at Kent Library, 6-8pm

June

June 5: Unpack: Advocacy & Immigration at 415 Westlake, 7-9:00pm
June 13: Tri-County Refugee Planning Committee at Rainier CSO, 9:30-11:30am
June 17-20: Refugee & Immigrant Food Workers Job Readiness Training at Project Feast
June 19-20: King County Diversion Training at TAF-Bethaday Community Learning Space, 9am-5pm
June 20: World Refugee Day
June 20: King County Refugee Forum at Renton Library, 10:15-11:45am
June 25: King County Refugee Housing Task Force at Rainier CSO, 2-4pm
June 29: Free Naturalization Clinic at South Park Community Center, 10am

Please contact Annie Dimitras if you would like to have an event or work being done in your community to support refugees and immigrants featured in ORIA's newsletter.