Ten refugees from Syria and Myanmar will settle in Eugene in the next couple of months. All of them have a connection to a resident of Lane County.
The refugees make up 3 different families – two from Syria and one from Myanmar. Catholic Community Services of Lane County is helping the families with the move. Executive Director Tom Mulhern says the agency is already hard at work, locating housing for the refugees.
MULHERN [:14] "And then, our job is to help them get settled in, do the paperwork, set up medical appointments. And, very quickly, help the adult members of the household start seeking employment. In many cases, that's going to require language lessons."
Mulhern says he's seen some negative reaction to news of the refugees' pending arrival on social media. But, the overall response has been welcoming. Several faith-based organizations are working together to help the refugees settle in.
Up to 35 refugees could end up in the county by the end of the year. The United States accepts refugees from Syria because of ongoing war there and from Myanmar because of ongoing political repression and violence.
Fore information on the resettling process, send an email to: refugee@ccslc.org.
