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

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Mar 02, 2024 138 likes •349 views

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

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BUILDING BRIDGES TO WELCOME LGBTI REFUGEES

The Welcoming Refugees Project is supported by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR/ACF/DHHS)

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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

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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

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LGBTI DEFINITIONS

Bryan Wilson, Director of Community Relations at SunServe

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OSCAR RIVERA

CWS South Florida, Director

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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.

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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.

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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.

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SYLVIA ACEVEDO

Director

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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

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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

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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

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LGBTI ORGANIZATIONS HELPING REFUGEES

Bryan Wilson, Director of Community Relations at SunServe

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BENI DEDIEU LUZAU

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BUILDING AGENCY CAPACITY FROM THE TOP DOWN

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QUESTIONS

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DEEPER DIVE CONVERSATION

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

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RECORDED WEBINARS & OTHER RESOURCES

www.welcomingrefugees.org

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