The South Sudanese Community (SSC) began in 1994 to assist the growing number of Sudanese refugees arriving each year to the Rochester area where we have approximately 150 members. The organization depends on refugee and outside volunteers from eight Rochester churches.
As of this writing, fifty-eight "Walking boys" have arrived in Rochester since June
2001. Two thousand single young women have been approved to settle in the U.S.
Rochester's strong Sudanese Community will attract many women to settle here.
SSC depends on a committed administrator, organized volunteers, resources for information, and funding to handle the increased numbers of refugees. For example, there are not enough refugees with available cars to transport the number of refugees to medical appointments, look for affordable apartments, help shop for food, get clothing from free sources, attend Sudanese church services (where there is a "Walking Boys" choir), attend SSC
supportive functions, and participate in SSC planned sports activities.
Our first means of financial support is from our own members in the form of minimal membership contributions. In October 2001 we received a $57,000 federal grant which provides a 15 passenger van, part time personnel support, and office equipment.
The goals of the South Sudanese Community are to:
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Help refugees assimilate into society and become self-sufficient through personal contact, sharing
information, using existing Service Agencies, establishing community partnerships, and networking volunteers within and outside the SSC
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Provide welcoming activities and cultural adjustment orientation for refugees
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Develop programs and activities to help strengthen the entire Sudanese Community by providing
both the means for information exchange and joyful social interaction
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Provide practical guidance in basic living (i.e. bus transportation, personal safety,
American law, good health, money management, accessing public resources)
Jordan Long
Ordained on Sunday, October 30, 2005
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Jordan Long, leader of the Nile Sudanese Lutheran Ministry was ordained on
October 5 at Incarnate Word by Bishop Marie Jerge, and a large crowd attended.
Congratulations to Pastor Long!
The Rev. Ralph Anderson preached, and The Rev. Craig Rhodenizer presented Jordan
for ordination.
Also see a
STORY about
Jordan's ordination written by Fernando Diaz.
Courtesy of the Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, NY |
Walking Boys Come to Rochester
In March 2001, the Catholic Family Center Refugee Resettlement Program began welcoming the first of an estimated 50 Sudanese young men to Rochester in this most recent wave of refugees. These young men had been detained in refugee camps since 1992.
Ranging in age from 18-24, they have been victims of cruelty and incredible suffering since childhood. Aged five to early teens in 1987, these boys,
left their slain parents behind, fled from war-torn Sudan into Ethiopia. Forced back to Sudan in 1991, they then fled to Kenya in
1992 and remained in refugee camps until approval was given to settle in other countries.
Rochester Churches helping SSC:
Bethany Presbyterian Church * Christ Episcopal Church * Downtown Presbyterian Church
First Unitarian Church of Rochester * Irondequoit United Church of Christ
Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word * Penfield Presbyterian Church
St.Paul's Episcopal Church * Spiritus Christi Church
The
following is part of an article published in another church’s newsletter
about the Sudanese Mission:
Starting a mission
church reminds me of childhood Sunday School images from long ago -
remote villages in far away places served by a dedicated missionary
amid seemingly impossible conditions. So, a variety of thoughts and
emotions swept over me last spring when Pastor Garner asked if I
would attend a meeting on starting a new mission church to be called
the Nile Sudanese Lutheran Mission (NSLM). To be sure, this new
mission congregation of the ELCA is NOT in a far away remote
village; it’s in Rochester! But, just like the mission church from
my childhood image, it will be served by a dedicated missionary and,
in many ways, the conditions are seemingly impossible. After much
planing this new mission will begin formally on October 30,
Reformation Sunday, with the ordination of Pastor Jordan Long. The
service, which begins at 5 p.m. at Incarnate Word Lutheran Church,
will be followed by a reception.
. . . The story of
NSLM’s Mission and Ministry will unfold as the new mission reaches
out to heal wounds that divide the Sudanese people, even here in
Rochester. It will seek ways to reunite families falling apart in a
strange culture. It will play out as it gives hope to impoverished
people trying to learn how to do more than survive after knowing
years of war followed by more years in mind and spirit numbing
refugee camps. Ultimately, it will restore life, the abundant life
Jesus promises and the peace that passes understanding by forming a
worshipping, fellowshipping community that becomes one with us in
the body of Christ. To be sure, our dollars are needed, but, just
as importantly, our prayers and presence are needed. . .
For now, come to
the ordination and celebrate the beginning of the possibilities that
you helped make possible. Come, and see a new mission
commissioned. But more than that come to meet these people. For
this mission is not just a mission where we have something to give.
Just as importantly, it is a mission to us. Its people, despite
their many difficulties and despite the often, seemingly hopeless
situations they have been through and encounter daily, possess a
spirit and faith born from knowing the living Christ. It is a faith
and Spirit that has stood the test of war, famine, torture, disease,
and death – all the worst that evil can do. And it is a faith and
Spirit they want to share - not just with each other - but with all
their sisters and brothers in Christ.
Dan Juers,
Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Fairport
South
Sudanese Community Mission
South Sudanese Community, Inc. (SSC) stated mission is:
"To help Sudanese refugees who settle in the Rochester area become
economically self-sufficient and assimilate into life in the United States."
Objectives:
Arrange for temporary and permanent housing
Obtain jobs, education and day care
Become American citizens
Advocate for and assist one another for purposes of mutual advancement
Methods:
Methods include using
a "seven point service strategy" and strengthening its resources through continued contact with local social agencies and Refugee Communities in other cities. SSC will provide user friendly information at the time of welcome and during planned workshops and training sessions. SSC leaders, church volunteers, and SSC members will help with activities for the Sudanese community. Activities will help socialization skills, encourage sharing stories of success, and celebrate accomplishments with recognition. Increased interaction between the Sudanese community and the community at large will be promoted for the mutual benefit of both.
Through these methods SSC:
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Helps refugees assimilate into society and become
self-sufficient through personal contact, sharing information, use of existing Service Agencies, establishing working partnerships, and use of volunteers within and outside the South Sudanese community
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Provides welcoming activities and cultural adjustment orientation for refugees
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Provides opportunities for refugees to spend time together for mutual support
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Provides practical guidance in basic living (i.e. bus transportation, personal safety, American law, good health, money
management, accessing public resources)
Need for Assistance:
This refugee community has complex needs, which are not being met by the initial federal support offered to resettling refugees in the U.S.A. After
six years of Rochester accepting refugees from Sudan, it became painfully clear that there has been insufficient education, training, and cultural preparation to enable the Sudanese to become
self-sufficient. Coming from a pastoral way of life torn apart by war and surviving by escaping to refugee camps where learning experiences are sparse and food is scarce, it is a tremendous challenge to adapt to the American way of life. It is crucial for the well being of the individual refugee to preserve some dignity by keeping a part of the Sudanese culture alive, and to maintain strong community ties.
Extra help is needed in the areas of language proficiency, speech, preparation for job interviews and improvement of employable skills. Social interaction with Americans and a clear understanding of job expectations from employers are other areas of concern. Relatively simple day-to-day life, which we take for granted can become upsetting challenges for refugees. Examples are: where to buy something, setting up a bank account, repairing something that breaks, locating resources such as libraries and public offices, and learning how bus schedules work.
Social settings, where Sudanese can interact and learn from one another produces a valuable opportunity to learn from each others successes and failures. Encouragement is needed to endure some of the frustrations of working long hours with little pay, having limited transportation for a number of years, and living in poor neighborhoods where the environment can be hostile.
Basically, until the South Sudanese are able to tap into some well-run, affordable training programs which will prepare refugees to obtain decent paying jobs, there will be a continued need for an emergency fund for food and shelter.
Funding needs include scholarships for taking one or two college courses at a time, reduced daycare expenses, and paid apprenticeship/job training.
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