Author Archives: CMC Admin

Statement on Reduction in Refugee Admissions

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Written by Caleb Gates, Advocacy Specialist and Refugee Case Manager 

The principles of “we the people”, and “liberty and justice for all” enshrined in our founding documents have long beckoned refugees (people forced to flee their country because they fear persecution for who they are or what they believe) yearning to breathe free to come and make the United States their home. These families and individuals desire peace, work, a new life, and a chance for a country to call their own, to which they can contribute. For the past 40 years, the United States has provided many refugees a chance to fill these needs, needs that all of us born in this country share.

Under Republican Governor Robert Ray, the state of Iowa was the first state in the U.S. to welcome refugees. Prior to the current administration, the U.S. accepted an average of 81,000 refugees per year. Under President Ronald Reagan, refugee arrivals reached as high as 207,000 per year. President Reagan promised that we would continue the American tradition of “welcoming and resettling those who flee oppression” and warned that if we ever close our door to new Americans, our leadership in the world would soon be lost.

The current administration has rejected our country’s proud tradition of welcoming refugees. Under current law, the President issues a determination of the upper limit for the number of refugees allowed to come into the country for that year. The law states that the President shall make this determination before October 1 of each year after consulting with Congress. This year, as in previous years, the President failed to consult with Congress on this decision, in violation of the law. The current administration will only allow up to 15,000 refugees to arrive in the U.S. this year, the lowest number since the beginning of the refugee admissions program 40 years ago. These reductions come when the number of refugees throughout the world is higher now than at any time since World War 2.

Furthermore, the current administration has made it practically impossible for those fleeing violence and persecution to apply for asylum. We condemn the onerous reductions in refugee admissions by our current administration. We urge the federal government to follow the examples of Iowa Governor Robert Ray and President Ronald Reagan and once again make America a beacon of welcome for refugees.

COVID-19 Recommendations for Employers

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Written by Sarah Diner, Employment Services Coordinator 

We have heard from our refugee and immigrant clients that they have experienced a great deal of uncertainty, confusing information, and stress during this pandemic, particularly as it relates to maintaining or finding new employment. At the Catherine McAuley Center, we want to see our clients find work that allows their families to be self-sufficient, as well as support Iowa employers, who have faced challenges meeting their workforce needs in recent years, in making their hiring and training practices accessible to immigrants and refugees. That hope remains through this pandemic!

It has been shown that minority communities have been hit the hardest by the virus and the subsequent impacts on family stability. For data on how COVID-19 has affected minority households, take a look at The Urban Institute’s weekly update on COVID-19’s Effects by Race and Ethnicity. The closing of schools and other child care facilities has particularly impacted our clients’ abilities to go to work because many of them are essential workers and rely on these public support systems to keep up with their responsibilities. Many of CMC’s clients have come to the United States as refugees or asylum seekers, meaning they fled their home countries due to a legitimate fear for their life or their safety, and have been granted safety within our country in order to start a new chapter in their lives. Refugee and asylum clients who arrived just as the pandemic was taking over have been unable to receive Social Security Cards due to the closure of the offices, preventing them from attaining employment since they can’t be hired on at a company without their Social Security numbers. All these families want to do is be able to provide for themselves and create a sense of security after going through years of instability in their home countries and refugee camps.

Many of the employers we work with are in the food processing and manufacturing industries with others spread within the custodial and housekeeping departments throughout the healthcare and hospitality fields. The clients we see are proud of their jobs with these employers and eager to continue working, while also making sure they are staying safe and following company and national guidelines. The trouble they are facing is difficulties communicating and understanding their employers’ specific guidelines due to existing language barriers. In order to overcome this, it is key for employers to release patient, clear, accessible communication that avoids complex, technical language about topics like:

  • paid leave or pay during a company shut down, 
  • employees’ level of exposure to coronavirus, 
  • new safety measures that the company may be implementing, 
  • protocols for informing the company of an exposure or positive test

This format in communication can help halt rumors in the workplace and helps non-English-speaking populations make informed decisions about their health and safety. Not only does taking proper safety precautions and communicating clearly recognize the dignity of workers, but we believe will also support employers in retaining their workforce.

CMC has already worked with employers across several industries in Eastern Iowa to provide guidance on how to overcome language barriers and make hiring and training accessible, and has created some videos about COVID-19 safety in multiple languages that are available on our Youtube channel.

We would love to continue supporting employers on their quest to ensure full understanding throughout the company by providing guidance on navigating communication on issues specific to their workplace so our immigrant and refugee neighbors can stay safe and healthy. If you are interested in how we can help support your company, feel free to reach out to CMC staff.

Contact: sarahb@cmc-cr.org 

 

Welcoming Week – Vinh and Bill’s Story

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As we begin to celebrate Welcoming Week, we couldn’t think of a better way to exemplify the welcoming spirit of Eastern Iowa than to share the stories and successes of those who have felt it personally. The Catherine McAuley Center (CMC) has had the privilege of not only getting to know Vinh Nguyen and his family, but to also watch them build relationships through the Center, thrive in their careers, and make Cedar Rapids their home. 

Vinh and his wife, Linh, moved to Cedar Rapids with their two young children in August of 2007, when Vinh accepted a teaching position at Coe College. Linh spoke very little English, and the couple had few connections to the area outside of Vinh’s new colleagues. Fortunately, the welcoming spirit of Cedar Rapids showed itself quickly. One of Vinh’s colleagues at Coe introduced them to the Catherine McAuley Center, where Linh soon began to take English classes and work towards her own career goals. 

Vinh and Linh Nguyen at the 2019 Annual Family Picnic at Bever Park with former board president Max Smith and his wife, Kathy. The picnic is an event where students, residents, clients, volunteers, and donors gather together to celebrate the welcoming community at CMC.

Two of the most important relationships that the Nguyens formed through CMC, both personally and professionally, were Bill and Merilee Rosberg. “I met Merilee and Bill when I started learning English at CMC and Merilee was my weekly teacher,” Linh said, elaborating on her early involvement with the Catherine McAuley Center, “They taught me not only English but also many things, especially the American culture, to help me adjust and integrate into a new country. They also supported me to return to Mount Mercy University to get my MBA degree.” 

After working as a finance coordinator for the Arc of East Central Iowa for five years, Linh accepted a position as a staff accountant at Coe College, where she works currently. Vinh has continued his career at Coe College while also becoming more and more involved at the Catherine McAuley Center. “Two years ago I was invited to serve as a board member and I agreed to do it”, Vinh said,  “As a board member I attend regular meetings to discuss, monitor, and vote to approve major plans and activities at CMC. I also serve as a member of the Education Advisory Committee.”

While Bill and Merilee offered the Nguyens a great deal of guidance in regards to their careers and community involvement, their personal relationship seems to shine above all else. “My family has been so grateful for all of their love and support over many years. It is so sad that Merilee passed away unexpectedly last year. We lost one of the best people in our life.”

Bill and Merilee in a CMC study room in 2016, with one of their many students.

The relationship between the Nguyen and Rosberg families demonstrates the  kindness, friendship, and welcoming spirit that exists within our community. It should serve as an example to all that when we work towards building a compassionate and inclusive community, everyone benefits.

“My colleagues at Coe and my friends in Cedar Rapids have helped me go through challenges and achieve a successful and happy life,” Vinh said, “It was very difficult at that time for Linh to learn English while taking care of two little children, but CMC provided flexible schedules so that she could keep learning. For us, Cedar Rapids has become our home, and we are so thankful for all people we have met, and especially for Bill and Merilee who have supported us with unconditional love.”

 

Volunteer Spotlight: Movers

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For our July volunteer spotlight, we’re doing something a little different. It’s been a busy month at the Catherine McAuley Center as we’ve moved into our new building at 1220 5th Ave. SE, and we want to use this space to show our appreciation for all the volunteers who have helped us with the move-in process. For the past several weeks, they have diligently signed up to help us with packing boxes, moving furniture, loading and unloading moving trucks, organizing our new spaces, and everything in between. Thanks to our movers, we’ve had a smooth transition into our new space, and we can’t wait to share it with all of you!

We’ve put together a photo gallery from moving week here:

Volunteer Spotlight: Tejas

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Our June Volunteer Spotlight is Tejas – a sophomore at Linn-Mar High School who recently got involved with the Catherine McAuley Center through a canned food drive and fundraiser that he organized for COVID-19 relief. Tejas initially set out to complete the “1,000 Canned Goods Challenge”, and due to a few other common interests, he landed at CMC. 

“My interest in helping immigrants and refugees in the area led me to do a little research about organizations that were supporting them,” he said, “I was looking for places to volunteer and the Catherine McAuley Center was a perfect place to do so.” 

Collecting 1,000 canned food items is no small task, especially in the middle of a global pandemic. Networking can be difficult without ties to an organization, and many people were reluctant to meet up to drop off donations due to COVID-19 related concerns. 

“Initially, the response was not that great, so I had to get help from the network my parents had and ask them to help spread the word,” Tejas said, “I shared the progress on social media, and I got more attention and support from the community.”

Fortunately, things picked up quickly once the fundraiser started circulating on social media. Tejas not only met his goal, but went above and beyond his initial target of 1,000 canned goods. Between in-kind and cash donations, Tejas ended up presenting the Catherine McAuley Center with 1,133 food items and an additional donation of $1,100. 

“The success of the “1000 Canned Goods Challenge” was a big highlight (in my volunteer experiences). In addition to raising 1,000+ food items, we also raised $1,100. The overwhelming support from the community is proving that if we believe in a cause and are willing to work hard and lead, the community rises to the challenge and supports generously,” Tejas said,  “I am very thankful to my parents and the community who have supported to make this fundraising a success, and I am looking forward to volunteering at the CMC in the coming years.”

 Along with his activism and fundraising efforts, Tejas stays busy with both classes and extracurriculars at Linn-Mar High School. He enjoys science and math classes (particularly chemistry and biology), extracurriculars such as orchestra, choir, show choir, science club, and key club, and has been playing tennis with friends since the high school season was cancelled (all while social distancing, of course).   

“I am just exploring options for my future and do not have any specific career in mind at this time,” he said regarding his plans after high school, “However, I seem to gravitate towards the legal field. Helping people fight for their rights looks very exciting.”

It’s been a privilege to get connected with Tejas over the past few weeks, and we look forward to his future involvement at CMC. There’s no doubt that he has great things ahead, and we hope to see some of them up close. 

“I did not expect such a great response from the community, and I am happy and humbled with the support I have received for this fundraising,” Tejas said, reflecting on his fundraising success. “This experience has made my summer already a memorable one despite the COVID-19 challenges that we are facing.”

A Statement on Racial Injustice

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Let us be clear – at the Catherine McAuley Center, we stand in solidarity with the many calling for justice and an end to the racial inequities and killings of our black and brown neighbors and fellow human beings. As an organization that was founded by the Sisters of Mercy, we are dedicated to addressing their Critical Concerns, including an end to racism and violence by promoting action resulting in a peaceful world. Our future depends on inclusive communities that welcome, respect, and support a diversity of individuals and ideas.

 

We are thankful for the dialogue that has been created by the demonstrations in our own community, and we hope that the voices of those marching and speaking out will continue to be heard as we work towards systemic change. It is inspiring to see the outpouring of support as so many of our neighbors, of all backgrounds, come together to march and say “Enough, this must stop.” This is a time to speak up, a time to listen, a time to enact and embrace change, and a time to heal. 

The history of the Black Lives Matter movement and the roots of the protests stem from centuries of racial injustice, oppression, and violence – often at the hands of police, lawmakers, and those in positions of power. We support it because it affects both the generations of black Americans who have built and lived in this country, as well as the future generations who will make this place their home. At the Catherine McAuley Center, we work with people every day who have experienced oppression, discrimination, injustice based on their color, their race, their ethnicity, or their socioeconomic status. We say, “You are welcome here. We see you, we honor you. We are here to walk alongside you on your journey. In our home, you are respected and you are cared about.” As we welcome refugees into our community, we want to tell them they will be safe from violence and persecution they may have experienced in their home country. The changes that are being demanded in our country and communities will make hope for safety a reality for all people of color.

At CMC we take great care to create a safe and welcoming environment. We can’t do this by ourselves. Creating a Place of Welcome requires a commitment by ALL who enter our space – by our neighbors, our volunteers, and by those who are charged with ensuring our safety and protecting our human and civil rights. It requires honest reflection of our attitudes and beliefs around the idea that every life has value – all lives cannot matter until black lives matter. 

However, there is MORE we can do. We must continue to listen to listen to the voices of the marginalized, to understand their pain, to hear their desire to be seen and respected. These are the voices of our clients, the voices of our staff members, the voices of our neighbors. Let us all continue to learn together, to challenge our own assumptions, and to uphold the values that define who we are as an organization.

Beginning next month, the Catherine McAuley Center will begin offering a monthly Advocacy e-newsletter with insight into the issues that most deeply impact the women, adult learners, immigrants and refugees who find support at the Catherine McAuley Center. Our hope is that this will be an ongoing resource for our community of supporters to keep learning about and take proactive steps to change our community and our culture.

Please subscribe to these Advocacy updates, while also spending time getting to know your neighbors who look different than you, who speak differently than you, who have had different life experiences. Most importantly, let us seek peace and love in our homes, our streets, our community, and our world.

Update from Women’s Services and Continued Responses to COVID-19

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Our Women’s Services staff have been staying up to date on guidelines, modifying services, providing education and support to the women at CMC, and maintaining a safe and stable living environment while we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation.

The idea of “Stay Safe, Stay Home” has meant something very different at CMC – besides our day to day business functions, the Catherine McAuley Center is also a home for 15 women. Through all of our adaptations and service modifications, it has been important to keep in mind how a person’s home is being impacted with each decision. 

Women’s Services has adapted to be flexible in the delivery of core services for residents. It has been important to acknowledge that while they may share similar goals, each resident’s needs are different. Previously, residents had been accessing case management over the phone and through video conferencing in order to stay mindful of social distancing, as well as participating in small group meetings. There have also been multiple daily group meetings added to the schedule to give residents more chances to check in with one another. Since maintaining connection is so important to the women and Women’s Services staff at CMC, residents are also connecting online in a private Facebook group, and encouraging one another with discussion and encouraging messages throughout the day. 

Even through these strange circumstances, there have been many reminders of the resilience that each woman has developed and the great possibilities that arise when a group of women comes together. Here are a few highlights of residents’ strengths and support of one another:

  • While staying safe inside, some of the women started actively planning for the CMC Garden, including sorting donations and starting seedlings.
  • Right before Mother’s Day, Linn County was ordered to implement more restrictive measures. For women at CMC this meant that they could not go visit their family and could not have their family visit them. The women collectively saw that this was going to be a difficult day for everyone- as a mother, as a daughter- and they rallied together to come up with a plan to honor each other.
  • Some of the women participated in sewing cloth masks that could be used by CMC staff, residents, volunteers and community members. 
  • Most importantly, none of the women at CMC have relapsed in their recovery or experienced any mental health symptoms that would require hospitalization since the start of the pandemic. In these times of stress when our brains go into survival mode, they’ve utilized their coping skills, wrapped each other in support, and stayed engaged in the programming that’s offered 
  • These women have shown an enormous amount of patience and a willingness to try new things, like learning the new world of Zoom and participating in group learning opportunities in this new digital format. 

Self-awareness, self-care, and our residents’ willingness to help each other has kept things going smoothly at CMC. While our approach has shifted over the past few months, our mission at the Catherine McAuley Center has stayed the same: to offer hope and opportunity through educational and supportive services that promote stability, skill-building, and connection. We have seen these things first hand with our residents, we will continue to see our mission through regardless of the circumstances. 

 

Volunteer Spotlight: Charles

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Our May Volunteer Spotlight is Charles – a long time CMC tutor who has continued his service remotely while we’re anxiously awaiting our return to the Center. Charles has been volunteering at CMC for so long now that he doesn’t even remember an exact starting date, although he’s sure it’s been over 10 years at this point. 

“It seems like it’s always been a part of my life,” he said, “Maybe because I want it to be.” 

Like many others, Charles began his journey with the Catherine McAuley Center after being introduced by someone close to him. In this case, it was his wife. 

“My wife, Libby Slappey, was at one time on the CMC Board, and I knew if she was on the Board, it must be good,” he said, “She has a great sense for what is really worth supporting.”

Thankfully, she was right, and Charles has been a familiar face in our building ever since. 

There are countless reasons that people feel compelled to volunteer at the Catherine McAuley Center. For Charles, it seems to be a combination of gratitude, the love of teaching, and a genuine desire to share his gifts and give back. 

“I have been really lucky and blessed in my life, with a loving family, living in the country I was born in, not having to learn a new language to survive, not having to learn a new culture or take up a new livelihood. I’ve had a good education and spent many years at Collins Aerospace in a steady job with benefits. So I feel it’s my responsibility to give back to the community.”

This kind of well-rounded perspective and empathetic worldview is valuable anywhere and everywhere, and we especially appreciate seeing it in our volunteers. It was elaborated on even more as Charles discussed the highlights of his years of volunteering. 

“The highlight would be when one of my students, a survivor of the Rwandan Genocide, became an American citizen. He would come in every Saturday for two hours, after working at a meatpacking job all week, in addition to raising three children. Who wouldn’t love a person like that, and want them to be a part of your country?” 

Charles has also been ready to take his tutoring online for the time being while we’ve had to adapt and offer many of our services remotely. While it may not be the same as meeting in person, we’re thankful that Charles is still on board until that time comes. 

“(I plan to continue tutoring remotely) as long as my students want it, and as long as it’s required. It’s an honor and a privilege to be a CMC tutor!”

 

In Kind Donations for Our New Building

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We have been blessed with many generous donations and we are enjoying all of these wonderful items in our new space,  but we are still seeking a few specific items. In order to best serve our clients, our team has compiled a list of everything that’s needed to make all types of programming possible in our new building.

Amazon Wishlist

Want to help outfit the new space?  We’ve created an Amazon Wish List so you can provide the finishing touches on the building!  Shop today and your gifts will be sent right to the Center.  Please be sure to use Amazon Smile on any of your Amazon purchases and select CMC as your charity.  A portion of sales will help make Eastern Iowa a welcoming place!

Amazon Smile

Did you know that Amazon will donate 0.5% of your purchase to your favorite nonprofit organization?  Anytime you shop on Amazon, follow these instructions to help your purchase go further:

If you’ve never registered with AmazonSmile:
1. Visit smile.amazon.com
2. Click Get Started
3. Search for “Catherine McAuley Center”
4. Please be sure to select the one in Cedar Rapids, IA!

To change your charity:
1. Visit smile.amazon.com
2. Under the search bar is where you can see what charity you are supporting.  Click the down arrow to change.

3. Search for “Catherine McAuley Center”
4. Please be sure to select the one in Cedar Rapids, IA!

Make sure you place orders through smile.amazon.com so that purchases are credited towards your selected charity!

Menards Rebates

Do you have Menards rebates laying around?  You can donate those as well to provide more necessities for our new Center!  Rebates can be mailed to 1220 5th Ave SE.

Thank you for anything that you feel compelled to give, and for your continued support of the Catherine McAuley Center. We look forward to sharing our new space with you!

Additional COVID-19 Resources for Refugees and Immigrants

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As we continue to adapt to the COVID-19 situation, the Catherine McAuley Center is working to expand communication and resources to our clients and community. Immigrants and refugees are often disproportionately affected in times of crisis, which is why we have been taking additional measures within our food pantry and Refugee and Immigrant Services program. 

Food Boxes

In an effort to encourage our clients to stay at home and continue social distancing, our food pantry is currently delivering supplementary food boxes. Local food pantries do great work in our community, but are not always able to provide culturally appropriate foods to immigrants and refugees. These supplemental boxes supply familiar and culturally-appropriate foods, decreasing the need for clients to leave their homes to shop.

This delivery service is entirely contactless in order to ensure the safety and comfort of both our clients and volunteers.  Volunteering takes place from 10 am – 12 pm on weekdays.  Please contact Katie at volunteer@cmc-cr.org if you are interested in volunteering with this service.

Call Center 

Our Refugee and Immigrant Services department is also expanding their Resource Navigation and Support services in order to serve individuals who speak limited English in Cedar Rapids and Linn County. For many refugees and immigrants, especially those who have settled in the United States recently, unemployment and stimulus benefits are not always readily available. 

Anyone needing assistance can call the Center at 319-731-0445 to be connected with a case manager and an interpreter who can address questions and concerns in their native language. CMC is also able to support community organizations who need assistance to help limited English speakers access their services. We are committed to meeting the needs of our clients and community, and we will continue to provide updates as we adapt our services.