Here & Now

Appleton Making Plans to Settle Afghan People

Frederica Freyberg:

Those able to get out of Afghanistan can expect to see helping hands in Wisconsin from places and people like in the city of Oshkosh, which is second only to Milwaukee in the number of residents with refugee backgrounds. We go to Appleton now to learn about preparations underway for refugees in that area. Tami McLaughlin is the director of World Relief Fox Valley and thank you very much for being here.

Tami McLaughlin:

Thank you for having me.

Frederica Freyberg:

So as we know, a dangerous and frightening situation for those trying to leave and we know people are arriving from Afghanistan in Wisconsin this week. What role do you expect to play in helping resettle the new arrivals?

Tami McLaughlin:

Well, we do have a small Afghan community in the Fox Valley, so we would love to have the opportunity of welcoming their family if they are able to get out of Afghanistan. We also hope to welcome some additional members of the Afghan community who have been evacuated out of Afghanistan. So we’re willing and ready and able with whatever that opportunity presents itself.

Frederica Freyberg:

Describe your work helping new arrivals in the Fox Valley.

Tami McLaughlin:

Sure. World Relief is one of nine national agencies who contract with the federal government to provide services. It’s a very comprehensive and well-structured program. We start by securing apartments for refugees and then furnishing those apartments. Our work continues as we connect them with community resources, enrolling them in schools, health care providers, English language classes. We provide a lot of orientation and cultural training to the newly-arrived refugees so they really understand how to navigate the American way of life. So the first 90 days are very, very busy and engaged in the refugee community.

Frederica Freyberg:

Which populations have you worked with?

Tami McLaughlin:

Our largest population is from the Democratic Republic of Congo and we continue to see many of those refugees arrive. Also the Burmese and Iraqi community is second and third community. And then Somali, Syrians, Afghans, just a variety of other nationalities we have the opportunity of welcoming.

Frederica Freyberg:

How did Oshkosh become second only to Milwaukee in number of resettlements?

Tami McLaughlin:

Because we’re such a warm and welcoming community, I believe. And we’re here, a national resettlement agency needs to be positioned there. We did a lot of groundwork regarding the receptiveness of the community, how strong community partnerships are. Volunteers and church partnerships are very important to us. This program was created as a public/private partnership, so a very collaborative effort on behalf of a whole community. The research found that Oshkosh and Appleton would be those types of communities.

Frederica Freyberg:

What from your experience are people newly arriving dealing with, especially those from a war zone and escaping the way they have from Afghanistan? What are they dealing with?

Tami McLaughlin:

The first response we always hear is “I’m safe.” No matter where they come from. And that’s whether it’s from the Congo or Burma or Afghanistan. So obviously just realizing that they’re coming out of a situation that probably produced high trauma, anxiety, fear of danger, fear of life. So those are the first things that we know. May not be spoken, but know that are things that will need to be confronted and dealt with as people move on. The first initial resettlement is just really acclimating and stabilizing. So just figuring out how do we get to a point where we can move forward and maybe having those discussions and seeing what else needs to be taken care of? Basic needs are initially the priority, though.

Frederica Freyberg:

Have officials reached out to your organization to step in at this point yet?

Tami McLaughlin:

The government contractors who we typically work with for refugee resettlement have reached out and there’s been a variety of discussions. We are confident that we’ll come to a place of contract, if you will, with some of this Afghan population and just appreciate their support and their willingness to provide a structure again and just some assistance as we as a country really work toward how we can serve this community best.

Frederica Freyberg:

Tami McLaughlin, director of World Relief Fox Valley, thanks very much and thanks for your work.

Tami McLaughlin:

Thank you so much.