Fwd: October Newsletter

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: "CWS Lancaster" <sponsorlanc@cwsglobal.org>
Date: Oct 9, 2015 7:07 PM
Subject: October Newsletter
To: "info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org" <info@gehmanmennonitechurch.org>
Cc:

Web Version Dear Friends, With support from the Lancaster community, CWS has been able to sustain the necessary programs to provide services to refugees from across the globe, including those from Syria, adjust to life in America. As a direct result of your generous donations, our Legal Immigration Program has provided 284 Green Cards (permanent residence) and guaranteed US citizenship to 184 refugees within the year. Additionally, with your support, our Immigration Program has reunited 24 families, whose members have been separated for years as a result of flight from persecution or regional conflict. The positive effects achieved through our Immigration Program are only some of the results of your support: the success of CWS' Resettlement and Employment programs demonstrates the Lancaster community's determination to give back. In addition to resettling two Syrian families, in the last three months, CWS has resettled over 130 refugees and migrants from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Near East, and Latin America. In the last year, CWS' Employment Program has placed 350 refugees and migrants in jobs in over seven different employment sectors, including health care and construction.    Thanks to the combined efforts of CWS staff and Lancaster community members, the success of CWS Lancaster has not gone unnoticed. The PA State Refugee Coordinator's Office has recognized the Lancaster and Harrisburg region as having the highest number of job placements, the highest rates of job retention, and the highest wages for refugees in Pennsylvania. In addition, the average time that refugees resettled in this region utilize welfare benefits is shorter than the average throughout the state. In terms of outreach and advocacy, CWS is thriving due to the community's participation in our events. We are in the midst of our "Run Far" initiative, which has raised close to $2,000. Additionally, our "Women Helping Women" event raised $800 and our participation in a guest bartending  fundraiser at Character's Pub raised $1,100 for CWS. (Thanks to all who came out and special thanks to guest bartenders Joey and Mike McMonagle.) Although the combined efforts of CWS staff and the community have been remarkable, we are just getting our feet wet. We are gearing up to dive into the pool of fundraising with the Extraordinary Give on November 20th.  Look out for our e-mails and stay tuned for more information. Thank you for everything you do to support this office.  If you have questions or know of a community partner that would like a presentation, a Q&A, or just a conversation on refugees, feel free to reach out. We are always here and ready to discuss. Sheila Mastropietro CWS Lancaster Office Director             CWS Lancaster Immigration and Refugee Program 308 East King Street Lancaster, PA 17602 Media contacts or other information: Sheila Mastropietro, Director CWS Lancaster, smastropietro@cwsglobal.org cwsglobal.org  •  cwslancaster.org  •  donate now remove me from this list