Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service (IRIS)
Contact:
Community Resource Developer
323-661-8828
Definition of a Refugee
From the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees(Article 1A(2) of the 1951 Convention)
A person, owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his [or her] nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail him [or her]self of the protection of that country; or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his [or her] former habitual residence as a result of such events, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it.”
IRIS seeks donations to help provide holiday dinners
I.R.I.S. (Interfaith Refugee & Immigration Service) in the Diocese of Los Angeles is seeking donations of food to help its refugee clients--most of them newly arrived in the United States--join in celebrating Christmas and other winter holidays. |
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I.R.I.S., a refugee resettlement agency ministry of the Diocese of Los Angeles, is the local office for Episcopal Migration Ministries, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Church World Service. In 2008, I.R.I.S. has helped more than 1,600 people from Iran, Somalia, Russia and Iraq to find hope, hospitality and a safe haven in the Los Angeles area.
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Needed Supplies To make a donation, call Debbie Decker at 323.661.8828
Stuffing mix Gravy mix Canned sweet potatoes Canned cranberry sauce Mashed potato mix Canned green beans Canned pumpkin pie filling Pie crust mix
Cash donations and grocery scrip will also be gratefully accepted.
Please do not send any food that needs to be refrigerated or frozen. Scrip or cash will be used for these items.
Click here for a list of household items that are needed year-round. |
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The Mission of IRIS |
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IRIS is sponsored as a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles. IRIS is a local affiliate of three national voluntary agencies (Episcopal Migration Ministries, Church World Service, and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services) that act as re-grantors for federal funding. The second year, the program served over 500 new arrivals – up from just 110 the year before. Last year we received 1,348 and this year we anticipate upwards of 1,500 refugees in 2008. The refugees served by Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Services (IRIS) come to the United States from all over the world. For over 25 years, IRIS staff have served clients fleeing religious persecution in Russia, Iran, Iraq, and Cuba; war and poverty in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Congo, Vietnam, and the Philippines, Liberia; and other intolerable situations in countries around the globe. |
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Just one of many stories….When Kamaria was just 20 years old, she fled war, poverty, and squalid camps in her homeland of Somalia. With the help of Anna Baghdassarian – herself an immigrant from Iran, now the program director at Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Services (IRIS) – Kamaria, her husband, and her two small children found their way to Los Angeles. But Kamaria’s journey from violence was not over: Soon after their arrival, her husband began to physically abuse her. Kamaria managed to leave her husband after repeated attempts to stop his violence. Determined to build a peaceful, productive life for herself and her children, Kamaria – again with Anna’s assistance – learned English, returned to school, and earned a nursing degree. Today she has a steady job in a hospital, recently purchased a home, and is proud to be sending her daughter to UCLA. |
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HOW YOU CAN HELP |
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We need our churches to help our Refugees find affordable housing, jobs, household items, transportation, and we need volunteers to share expertise in language, financial literacy, legal orientations, child welfare and other topics essential for newcomers to the United States.
Specifically, we need your leadership to help us mobilize congregational involvement in the deeply rewarding resettlement work of refugees.
Would your congregation be willing to sponsor a new-item drive to help our refugees? |
Sheet sets of all sizes Twin Blankets Pillows Sets of Towels Pots and Pans Cooking utensils Dishes Silverware Drinking glasses Kitchen linens Clocks |
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The mission of Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Services (IRIS) is to provide a gracious welcome and tangible tools for self-sufficiency to refugees newly relocated to the United States.
