wfn.org | Cuban refugees lead '99 resettlement caseload

["Office of Communications"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: February 24, 2000
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org
          
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INDIANAPOLIS (DNS)   Cuban refugees comprised more
than half of those resettled by the Refugee and Immigration
Ministries office of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in
1999. 
          
Of the 1,486-person caseload handled by RIM, 770 were
from Cuba. Other countries and regions with large numbers of
refugees include Bosnia (228) and the former USSR (128). 
          
The nearly 1,500 refugees resettled by the Disciples in 1999
represented approximately 14 percent of the Church World Service
caseload. The Indianapolis-based Disciples of Christ is one of 10
denominations that resettle refugees through CWS.
          
With the majority of immigrants coming from Cuba,
Florida, predictably, was the leading relocation site. Florida
received 521 refugees. Other states resettling 100 or more persons
included New York (164), Texas (122) and Kentucky (102).
          
Thirty-four Disciples congregations provided ministry to
the new arrivals; 21 serving as sponsors or cosponsors. Thirteen
other congregations donated goods, funds or provided English
language training. Another 24 congregations assisted local CWS
affiliates by donating space, funds or volunteers.
          
Besides the direct refugee work, 15 Disciples congregations
across the U.S. assisted persons with immigration problems.  The
Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries program on the
Texas/Mexico border was supported by 65 congregations providing
goods, financial contributions or volunteer service.
          
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