TO WELCOME LGBTI REFUGEES The Welcoming Refugees Project is - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

BUILDING BRIDGES TO WELCOME LGBTI REFUGEES The Welcoming Refugees Project is supported by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR/ACF/DHHS)

OBJECTIVES 1. Provide strategies for collaborative work with LGBT organizations 2. Discuss how collaborations enhance culturally sensitive services 3. Detail ways to connect LGBT refugees to the greater LGBT receiving community

AGENDA • Introductory Remarks • Ken Tota, Deputy Director, ORR • Brief Overview of Terminology • Bryan Wilson, Director of Community Relations, SunServe • Oscar Rivera, South Florida Director, CWS • Sylvia Acevedo, Director, Florida Center for Survivors of Torture & Refugee Resettlement • Bryan Wilson, Director of Community Relations, SunServe • Beni Dedieu Luzau, LGBTI Caucus, Refugee Congress

LGBTI DEFINITIONS Bryan Wilson, Director of Community Relations at SunServe

OSCAR RIVERA CWS South Florida, Director

CONNECTING TO THE LGBTI RECEIVING COMMUNITY • Have visual LGBTI welcoming postings and/or signs. • Train your staff with information and tools to ask and respond to questions, and demonstrate confidence in assisting LGBTI clients. • Recognition of your organization as welcoming to LGBTI individuals in your community.

STRATEGIES FOR COLLABORATIVE WORK WITH LGBTI ORGANIZATIONS • Reach out to LGBTI community agencies in your area. • Introduce LGBTI organizations to other local community service agencies and the services provided within each organization. • Create a database with LGBTI community partners and national organizations.

COLLABORATIONS ENHANCE CULTURALLY SENSITIVE SERVICES • Stay up-to-date and participating in LGBTI community events. • Become members of local LGBTI organizations and Chamber of Commerce. • Include LGBTI refugee needs in general outreach presentations, as well as steps into assisting the refugee population.

SYLVIA ACEVEDO Director

BUILDING THE BRIDGE • In 2013 CWS, Heartland Alliance, Gulf Coast JFCS outreach to bring both “worlds” together • Regained momentum after Refugee Congress/LGBTI Caucus • Currently, working with SunServe, Pride Center and Sunshine Cathedral as well as Miami Based LGBTI serving organizations

LESSONS LEARNED LGBTIQI Organizations well represented in South Florida • Strongly identified w/persecution Refugee Service Organizations well represented in South Florida • Easily adapted to working creating welcoming/affirming environments • Culturally competent forms, handouts, increased confidence around disclosures

CASE STUDY • 27 year old gay male from Middle East • Easy to reach out to community advocates • Community LGBTI organizations very receptive to pre staffing the case prior to arrival to determine resources • Housing recommendations made in welcoming/affirming communities • Faith based organizations extend support • Offers to help with welcoming at airport, transportation, accompaniment and support • Requests for presentations to learn more about refugees • Extended help all refugees, not just those identified as LGBTI

LGBTI ORGANIZATIONS HELPING REFUGEES Bryan Wilson, Director of Community Relations at SunServe

BENI DEDIEU LUZAU

BUILDING AGENCY CAPACITY FROM THE TOP DOWN

QUESTIONS

DEEPER DIVE CONVERSATION March 7 th @ 2:00-3:00 pm Eastern http://bit.ly/lgbtdeeperdive

RECORDED WEBINARS & OTHER RESOURCES www.welcomingrefugees.org

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US!