Ministry to Refugees Program to Be Enhanced
Episcopal News Service. October 25, 1979 [79315]
NEW YORK -- The Episcopal Church is anticipating a large increase in refugee assistance funds and has planned a three-part program of support, education and placement to enhance the growing ministry to refugees.
The Rev. Samir J. Habiby, director of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief, said that, on the basis of projected placements and an increase in the allotment by the federal government, the Church would receive an additional $650,000 from October of this year through 1980. In the past, most of this money would have been funneled through the Church World Service -- the relief agency of the National Council of Churches -- directly to refugee Habiby and the Fund's board propose that the new revenue be used to continue the work of a consultant in refugee ministries, hire additional staff on a contract basis to assist actual placement and establish three regional refugee offices to coordinate the work. In addition, about 40 percent of the funds will be available for direct assistance to individual cases. projects.
The $650,000 total figure is based on a government one-time grant of $500 per person for each Indochinese refugee placed. Of this sum, $120 is used as a direct transitional allowance; $150 goes to the sponsoring denomination and the remainder goes to support the coordinating work of CWS.
Habiby says that the Episcopal Church has placed 2,863 refugees this year, expects to place somewhat under 1,000 more before the end of the year and anticipates placing an additional 3,000 in 1980.
Habiby noted that the new allocations would allow the denominations to expand the vital work of education on refugee issues and systematic recruitment of sponsors so that the Church can integrate refugee ministry into its total mission.
The Fund was asked to begin this coordinating work last spring when the Executive Council requested a survey of ways in which the staff units at the Episcopal Church Center could share the ministry. The proposal, which the Council will see at its December meeting, is based on that coordination.
"The whole key," Habiby said, "is the freeing up of the money formerly controlled by CWS's immigration and refugee program. Now the denominations are free to tailor programs that respond and grow out of local and regional needs. Even the regional coordinators we hope to have will be chosen locally and confirmed by the national structure."
The main advantage to that, he explained, is the quick response and the proven ability of small amounts to attract substantial funding. He cited a Diocese of Louisana project -- started with $500 in local money and $5,000 from the Fund -- which has now been invited to submit a funding proposal to the federal Department of Health and Human Services (formerly the Department of Health, Education and Welfare).
"This is the way in which we will now be able to operate. Church funds need not be used for direct support now," he said. "There is money out there for these purposes and we will be able to train people and networks to be able to take advantage of it. The Churches can have a much more effective ministry in this way."
Habiby emphasised that these funds were not siphoned from domestic social services programs. "This is budgeted State Department money for just this purpose. It exists in fact, to alleviate any negative impact that this massive influx of refugees might have on social services. This does not take money away from anyone."