This family consists of twin teenage girls, their older brother, their mother and her mother-in-law. Originally from Afghanistan, they spent 10 years in Turkey waiting to be resettled. After background checks, interviews and screenings by the UNHCR and DHS, the family was approved for resettlement in the US. Studies show that families with anchor relatives move to self-sufficiency considerably quicker than those without that community, and this family has an aunt in KC who was resettled here some time ago. Along with welcoming them to their new home, witnessing their reunion was incredibly moving.
Resettling a family has many moving parts and we are incredibly grateful for our volunteers and donors who make it so easy. It truly takes a village.
March 16: Della Lamb is notified by our National Resettlement Agency to plan for a family to arrive April 8. We receive basic information like family structure, ages, language spoken, etc. We start looking for an apartment or rental house that meets the family’s needs.
March 31: Our Housing Coordinator receives the lease agreement for an apartment in the Historic Northeast. After a final walkthrough, we identify furniture needs and check existing inventory. Thanks to ongoing donations, we have everything the family for needs except for a sofa.
April 2: A Facebook post looking for a couch reached a donor in Blue Springs. The Della Lamb staff arranges to pick up the donated furniture.
April 6: A group of volunteers from Blue Valley Baptist Church load furniture and bins from Della and take them to the family’s apartment. In a couple hours, this home is fully furnished with donated items.
April 7: Della Lamb learns the family’s arrival date has been postponed. Flexibility is key and we look forward to the new arrival date of April 16.
April 15: A mother and her son go grocery shopping and purchase household items to prepare the fridge and home of the soon-to-arrive family. They stock the apartment and finish decorating.
April 16: The family lands in KC. Our case worker greets them at MCI and transports them to their new home. After a walkthrough of their apartment, the family is provided a meal from their home country, reunites with their anchor relative and settles into their new home.
Now begins the family’s journey of making Kansas City their home. Our case worker starts the process of social security cards, school enrollment, cultural orientation classes and beginning ELL. Della Lamb believes in client-focused care and we use that philosophy as we help families acclimate and find employment opportunities to bring them to self-sufficiency.
