TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Refugees Get Aid At Lutheran Services

ADVERTISEMENT

By CARL ORTH

The Suncoast News

Published: February 26, 2009

PORT RICHEY - The tired, the poor and the huddled masses yearning to breathe free often find the path of liberty leads to Pasco County.

About 80 to 100 refugees from across the globe migrate to Pasco each year, according to Sharon Barron. She's an outreach coordinator for Tampa-based Lutheran Services Florida. The organization provides free help through its Integration Assistance Services program.
Lutheran Services Florida will hold an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. today at its office at 6440 Ridge Road, Port Richey.

The refugees often come from intolerable conditions in their native lands, Barron said. Some might have been living in temporary camps for several years, for instance. Victims of human trafficking might get a fresh start here as well.

"Our mission is to provide healing, hope and help to people in need," Barron said.

The "hidden treasure" of a program helps all nationalities get oriented in their adopted county, Barron said.
Cubans seem to make up the largest group of current refugees. A decade ago, during the fighting in the Balkans, many Bosnians came here, she said.

In all that time, Barron has encountered only one person with a negative reaction about resettling refugees here.

Most residents here are "generous and kind-hearted," Barron said.

"We're all struggling with the economy. We believe everyone is entitled to help."

Most help for refugees comes through a federal grant for the Lutheran Services program. The Florida Department of Children & Families refugee services division handles the funds.

Refugees typically qualify for Medicaid and food stamps, Barron said. The Lutheran support program aims to help them with job hunting to "create economic self-sufficiency as soon as possible."

Refugees face many cultural adjustments. Things many people take for granted might be "completely new concepts" for transplanted people, such as using debit cards and balancing a checkbook.

For information call (727) 842-4000.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT