Sponsoring Refugees
During a wintry evening in the late 1970’s the UUCSS Social
Action Committee convened with Shelley Wolf to discuss the plight
of Vietnamese Refugees and how UUCSS might help. After much thought
as well as consultation with other sponsoring groups, the Coffins,
Grubbs, and Hedins offered to temporarily house a Vietnamese family…
though the Board Chair (yes, that’s the correct title for
the time) was certain we were taking on a bigger obligation than
the cash strapped church could handle!
Our family of seven arrived by spring. What a busy time—enrolling
the six young people in schools, applying for government support
programs, setting up bank accounts with the mother, as well as searching
for affordable housing that would accommodate seven people plus
the dad who was hoping to join the family.
Colesville Council of Community Congregations (C-4), recognizing
a need for affordable housing, sponsored Great Hope Homes. Fortunately
one of their townhouses became available within a few months. The
townhouse had enough bedrooms to legally accommodate our family
and was within the budget we estimated they could afford. The WHOLE
church community pitched in to settle them in their new home—chairs,
tables, beds, cooking equipment, etc. were all donated for the family.
So much clothing was given that Yen almost started used clothing
store.
Yen’s husband was able to join the family within a year.
Today the family owns a home in Fairfax and operates a boutique
in Arlington.
—Becky Hedin
Published in the Uniter 01-07-03
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