ECDC
WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Over a dozen refugee families will be placed in Wausau later this month after two families were successfully placed late last year.
Margaret Pagoria with the local group New Beginnings for Refugees says the 15 family groups will be settled in the next two weeks. The group has already secured and furnished housing for them and is looking to pair them up with some residents that are willing to show them the ropes of life in Central Wisconsin.
“It depends on what kind of availability you have,” said Pagoria. “You can become a co-sponsorship team member, which is a pretty intense commitment to being part of the team that [helps] mentor new families on their journey in the first year.”
She says there are also shorter-term commitments for those who’d like to be part of greeting teams that focus on setting things up for the refugees and helping them upon arrival. Those duties include transportation and helping the families “as needed.”
Pagoria says they have enough furnishings and basic house supplies for them, but after this round, they will be looking to replenish their supplies. Donations of large furniture such as couches, dining room sets, bed frames, and end tables are welcome. They are also looking for consumable hygiene products like toothpaste, mouthwash, soap, and shampoo along with clothing items. Information on how to donate those items can be found here.
She adds that volunteers who would like to organize the donated items and get them ready for distribution are also welcome.
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