Today we…
Support new arrivals through education, relationships and community so they can thrive in their new home.
In the future, we will…
Create a community of open hearts, helping hands and supportive systems where strangers become friends and we all thrive.
Dear Friend of B5,
As you may already know, our country’s refugee resettlement program has been put on hold. In a meeting with World Relief last week, I was told that the Afghan family they welcomed on January 21st was the last refugee family that would be welcomed into the Tri-Cities for some indefinite time to come. Our hearts are heavy for some in the community we serve who won’t be reuniting with family members. Our hearts are heavy for those refugees who were looking forward to rebuilding their lives here and now won’t be allowed to travel. Our hearts are heavy for the people of the Tri-Cities who are being denied the opportunity to welcome, walk alongside, and grow with these newcomers.
In addition to halting new arrivals, another executive order imediately ended funding that supports the 3-to-6 month resettlement process of refugees in our country and community. You can imagine the concern our recently arrived students are feeling when they’re told that their rent will no longer be paid. Students are coming to us, asking for help to find jobs. We’re helping them connect to resources as best we can.
You may be wondering about B5’s situation. First of all, our mission to serve refugees and immigrants to our community in the longer term. The halt to new refugees coming to our community does not take away the services we provide the thousands of refugees and immigrants that have come to our community in the last years.
As of now, we have not received any notice of funding reductions and continue to serve as usual. But B5’s programs do receive considerable federal and state funding, and we might expect these programs may have funding reductions in the future. Naturally, we are monitoring this closely and are in frequent contact with our funding agencies.
With our programs stable for the moment, we are working with the leadership at World Relief to understand the gaps that are being created by the ending of resettlement funding and are exploring opportunities to fill some of these gaps. This may create some immediate strain on funding for B5 to do the right thing to help these people. We’re doing our absolute best to support people who come to us with questions and concerns, and help in whatever way we can. Now more than ever, B5 can use the volunteer help and support of our friends. We also would encourage you to reach out to our U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse and U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members) and ask them to convey to President Trump that pre-committed funding under federal grant awards for refugees already resettled in our community should be resumed.
Thank you for your care and support of refugees in our community and we appreciate your prayers.
With deep gratitude,
Theresa Roosendaal
Executive Director
Thank you to all of you who give your time and money, so refugees and immigrants can find welcome at the doors of B5. Your donation in any amount allows us to support our programs to help newly arrived refugees THRIVE in our community. Will you join us?
Donations can be made through our website or they can be mailed to: B5 Learning Center 715 S Jean Street Kennewick, WA 99336
Contact us:
(509) 221-1572
info@thriveatb5.org
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