Bridge Refugee

As we continue to serve Cuban Entrants, we hold out hope that those fleeing will reach us safely.

@BridgeRefugees Hi! I'm curious if anyone is continuing to monitor this account!

MEET KATIE: Katie is the Program Manager for Bridge Refugees Services. We had the privilege of interviewing Katie earlier this semester and we asked her what her favorite part of working for Bridge was. She told us that she loved watching the clients adapt to their new community!

Welcoming Week is a time to celebrate the lifelong friendships that form between volunteers and the resettled refugees they serve. Joyce, a Bridge volunteer, and Tamara, a Ukrainian refugee, have remained friends for almost 20 years! bridgerefugees.org/04/volunteer-s…

Are you a Bridge volunteer who is able to help transport women and children to and from our sewing group this weekend? Please contact Carmella at volunteerknox@bridgerefugees.org to sign up!

Our second sewing workshop is this weekend, and we are SEW excited! Can you be a class helper and assist our refugee ladies with their sewing skills? Shifts are available from 1 to 3:30 and from 3:30 to 6. Come create with us! #refugeeswelcome #refugeewomen #sewitsellit

Ukrainian civilization dates back to 4800 BC where both the Trypillian and Scythian civilizations thrived. *Join us on June 20th in Chattanooga at the Camp House at 6pm to celebrate all refugees. Tickets online through the Bridge Chattanooga Facebook page.* #WorldRefugeeDay

Refugees with a family member or "U.S Tie" are more likely to be resettled in the same city/state as their tie, but otherwise they don't choose where they are resettled. Join us June 22nd at the Jacob Building in Knoville to celebrate World Refugee Day 2019! #WorldRefugeeDay

Since the beginning of October, about 45% of our newly arrived refugees have been minors under the age of 18. *Join us on June 22nd in Knoxville, and June 20th in Chattanooga to celebrate these brave children and their families at our World Refugee Day events!* #RefugeesWelcome

Welcome Fact by the numbers: 9 National Resettlement agencies >350 local affiliates in the US 48 states received refugees in FY 2018 Don't forget to come out and show your support for refugees June 20th and June 22nd in Chattanooga and Knoxville! #WelcomeRefugees #WRD2019

As many as 8 different federal agencies are involved in the refugee screening process, and this process of refugee resettlement to the U.S can take approximately 2 years. #RefugeesWelcome #WorldRefugeeDay2019 #WRD2019 #WelcomeFacts

We had a lovely time honoring our volunteers and donors last week in Knoxville. We couldn't do our work without you - thank you, thank you! #refugeeswelcome #volunteer

Catherine was born in the Orange County area of California and grew up in Greenville, Tennessee. She is in her senior year at University of Tennessee. Catherine organizes our coat closet, which saw a lot of donations this winter, and clients coming to pick out warm layers.

Debbie and her husband Art moved to Knoxville four years ago from Kingsport, TN to be with family: "When I first started volunteering and would drop people off after appointments, I would almost burst into tears because of the graciousness and happiness they showed." #volunteer

Carmella is from Knoxville and is currently in her final semester at University of Tennessee. In May she will earn her degree in French studies with a focus on Africana Studies and has aspirations to later pursue a Master’s degree in Social Work. We are so grateful for her!

Bridge Knoxville is looking for a Preferred Communities Case Manager. Successful candidates will have either a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Social Work. Visit our website to find out more about the position and how to apply. #refugeeswelcome #workforrefugees

Volunteer Appreciation Week is next week, and we at Bridge are so excited to show off our INCREDIBLE volunteers. Tune in every day next week to meet them. Also, #tbt to some behind the scenes footage of our photographers, Brian & Hemedi, in action!

Our March newsletter is going out! Haven't sign up yet? Head to our website! Here are some things to expect: a pre-arrival sneak peek, a story about 2 secondary migrants, and our love for CAC AmeriCorps! #refugeeswelcome

Last month CAC AmeriCorps celebrated 25 years in East TN, and we are so grateful for our AmeriCorps VISTA members! Sign up for the monthly newsletter on our website to check out a snippet of Ian and Nicole's story, and other Bridge happenings. #refugeeswelcome #gettingthingsdone

A BIG thank you to everyone who came to support us on Wednesday, and a super special thank you to Sweet P's BBQ and Downtown Dive for all the love. Didn't get a chance to join us on Wednesday night? Text "BRIDGE" to the number 44-321 to donate. #refugeeswelcome

We will see you all tonight at Sweet P's BBQ in Knoxville! Smoked lamb chops &/a rosemary demi, sugar snap peas w/pancetta & herbed new potatoes plus OskarBlues craft beer- all proceeds from the $15 special go to Bridge Refugee Services. Stop by between 5:30pm and 9pm.