October's Focus: Columbia Refugee Garden

Our Focus of the Month for October is very near and dear to our hearts.  Many of you know I worked for a refugee resettlement agency in Missouri for almost three years; I loved my job. Loved it.  Yes, there were moments of stress where I wanted to hit just about every one of my coworkers and moments of frustration when our clients just didn't get it and moments of sheer annoyance when I had to deal with reporting to the federal government because of our grant money from ORR.  But all in all, working as the Development Coordinator for RIS was my absolute dream job.  I love the population, and my coworkers were some of the most dedicated and hard-working people I have ever met; I felt we had (and they still have) a darn good resettlement program.  The staff is always expanding programs and developing new ones in order to help the refugee clients become self-sufficient, adjust to life in America, and to truly become a part of the community.  I continue to remain impressed with the staff and their program, and if you're looking for a place to volunteer or do an internship in Columbia, there is no greater place than Refugee Services.  None.

Phil was a former intern with RIS (can I just say whoot whoot for former interns becoming full-time employees at RIS) and was hired last December to work on two specific grants- but of course, his job entails much more than that.  His title really should be Job Developer since he is responsible for the vast majority of refugee employment placements.  But I digress.  Several months ago, Phil told the staff about his desire to develop a community garden designed specifically for refugee clients.  Many of our refugees were farmers in their country of origin; if they had a small plot of land where they could use their farming/gardening skills, they could raise food for their family, cutting down on the cost of groceries, and also sell their surplus at local farmer's markets, helping to supplement the family income.  And so Phil set out to work on this huge project, all the while still doing his other responsibilities and duties.

A local church donated a plot of land located close to the apartment complex in which a large portion of the refugees live.  Phil and his intern from Mizzou are working on developing models, both short-term and long-term plans and goals, and fundraising.  Phil informed me the money Isaac and I are donating will help pay for some of the compost that needs to be purchased.  They'll also need money for seeds, fence posts, and other supplies and start-up costs.  They'll need volunteers to help in so many ways.  This is truly a project that has ample need and opportunities for involvement.  I won't be there to witness this program in person, but I know a lot of my friends in Columbia could help out a great deal with this!  I am asking my friends in Columbia to consider donating their resources and time to this program that could so dynamically change the lives of your fellow Columbian residents.

In fact, I am going to issue a specific challenge to those of you reading this.  I've never directly asked my readers to donate to our Focus of the Month, but I challenge you to donate $5.00 to this project.  Five dollars...that's skipping your morning stop at Starbucks one time this month...that's choosing to go a matinee movie instead of the evening show...that's purchasing one less magazine the next time you're waiting in line at the grocery store.  Five dollars- will you really miss it that much?  It's not a lot, but it doesn't take a lot to change someone's life...

Also know the Columbia Refugee Garden will accept in-kind donations as well.  Check out this page from their blog to see other ways in which you can help and get involved.  You can send your donations to:

Refugee Services
Attn: Phil Stroessner
201 W. Broadway
Bldg 5B
Columbia, MO 65203

Feel free to contact Phil at pstroessner@diojeffcity.org or at (573) 442-7568 if you have any questions or want to help in any way.