October 31, 2005

The more-than-60-year history of Episcopal Migration Ministries [EMM] assisting refugees from around the world continues stateside with the evacuees of Hurricane Katrina. Richard Parkins, EMM director, noted that "many of the tools of refugee resettlement are applicable to the plight of persons displaced as a result of Katrina and Rita."

"We're working with parishes that have offered sponsorship and matching them with evacuees from the Gulf Coast," said Parkins. "And we're matching several hundred evacuees through diocesan operations in Atlanta and West Texas, where we will be assisting with resettlement and relocation. Most evacuees in these locations may decide to remain with these host communities. Others may choose to go elsewhere until they can decide what the future holds for them."

In Atlanta, home to an estimated 100,000 evacuees, EMM's affiliate office with Church World Service (CWS) is actively placing evacuees with Episcopal parishes that have been asked for a minimum three-month commitment.

"Of the many parishes in the Atlanta area that have stepped forward to offer sponsorship, 15 have already welcomed evacuees," Parkins said. "EMM has given funds, made possible through a partnership with Episcopal Relief and Development, to help underwrite this initiative."

Further EMM/ERD initiatives may be undertaken in Dallas, Texas through the Church of St. Michael's and All Angels, and in Arkansas, where there are approximately 80,000 evacuees.

EMM also hopes to provide training and technical assistance to congregations working with evacuees in the New York City area, Parkins said. "It will be an interfaith effort across the board helping evacuees to be assisted by various churches and congregations."

Sponsoring parishes are generally expected to offer housing, access to social services, assistance with school enrollments, and case management, Parkins explained.

"Our efforts will help some number of persons displaced by the hurricanes to recover and move to a point where they can more confidently assess their next steps," he said.

EMM's sponsorship also involves assistance with employment.

"If [evacuees] are going to stay in a place for three or more months, it's a good idea that they find work if possible," he said. "So that's also a part of the package of services we [the churches] provide – job counseling and job placement."

Parkins acknowledged that EMM's assistance would not be possible without the outpouring of support from dioceses and parishes.

"We are the facilitators and trainers," he said, "but it is the generosity of our church that makes it possible for us to play this type of role."

Episcopal News Service