The Lexington office of Kentucky Refugee Ministries has recognized its wide network of people who volunteer to help those settling in Central Kentucky. The Community Appreciation Breakfast took place Monday.
KRM Community Engagement Coordinator Derek Feldman said English as a second language tutors and groups to help furnish a residence are always needed. But Feldman noted there are other volunteer opportunities as well.
“If you’re a musician or a photographer, if that’s a passion of yours or if you quilt, we’ll use what you do and what your passion is to work with our clients in some ways. We have clients who are interested in those things,” explained Feldman.
Feldman said there are several refugee middle and high school students involved in a youth mentoring program. “Match up community members with these students to help them thing through how to get into college, how to fill out fafsa forms, what kinds of jobs are available, what kind of training might you need if you are interested in these kinds of jobs,” said Feldman.
Feldman said the Trump administration has lowered the refugee ceiling nationally from about 100,000 to 18,000. He added Kentucky’s resettlement numbers have gone up the last few years, but he does anticipate a decrease between now and the end of September.
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