May 12, 1999
Churches sought to help
Kosovars coming to America
___ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP)--Southern Baptist churches are urgently needed to sponsor ethnic Albanian refugees from Kosovo, according to Richard Robinson, immigration ministries specialist for the North American Mission Board.
___Since March, more than 1 million ethnic Albanian refugees have fled Yugoslavia's Kosovo province or have been forcibly deported. The first 20,000 Kosovars approved for resettlement in the United States are being processed through Fort Dix, N.J.
___Robinson said those who have qualified for immigration either have relatives in the United States who will serve as sponsors or have been classified as "vulnerable cases." Churches are needed to serve as co-sponsors for those with family and as full sponsors for vulnerable cases. Vulnerable cases include Kosovars who are elderly or have medical needs, those who have been brutalized and mothers with children whose husbands have been murdered or separated from their families.
___In addition to love, friendship and emotional support, sponsoring churches are asked to provide housing and utilities for three months or until public assistance begins or employment is secured; food for the first two weeks or until food stamps begin; and transportation to medical exams, the Social Security office, conversational English classes and to enroll children in school. The refugees are eligible for government medical insurance such as Medicare and Medicaid and are authorized for employment in the United States.
___"No church will need to shoulder the responsibilities alone," Robinson said. "Two or more churches may join together to sponsor a family. And the North American Mission Board and Church World Service, which helps coordinate resettlement by faith groups, have 45 local affiliate offices nationwide. Refugees are being assigned to sponsors within 100 miles of one of those centers."
___Churches willing to sponsor or co-sponsor refugees should contact NAMB's immigration office at (770) 410-6343. E-mail may be sent to rrobinson@ namb.net.
___Churches interested in making donations to assist with the resettlement project may send gifts to Refugee Resettlement Account, NAMB, 4200 North Point Parkway, Alpharetta, Ga. 30022. The fund will be used to provide housing, utilities, clothing, medical needs and other essentials.
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