Summer 2012 - Robert Morris University

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EEPING THE FAITH They file off of the bus one by one, bouncing with energy after a long day at school. Their names are uncommon, and they hail from faroff places like Nepal, Thailand, and Burundi. Besides that, they're just like any other kids you'll find in western Pennsylvania — spirited, boisterous, and full of life. These are the children of refugees. Their parents came to the United States in the hopes of giving them a better life. And thanks to people like Jim Guffey '89, that's just what they're getting. Guffey is the executive director of South "My children are Hills Interfaith Ministries, a human services happy. They enjoy organization that provides struggling families the activities, and with valuable resources like food and clothing, they love the homework as well as a variety of family support programs. help. It helps them in The charity serves more than 1,300 needy school. I hope the individuals each year through its two locations program continues." in Whitehall and Bethel Park. Last year the organization distributed approximately 250,000 pounds of food and household products, and more than 7,000 clothing items. It also provided families with over $43,000 in utility assistance and donated more than $9,000 in back-to-school supplies. 12 • RMU.EdU/FoUNdATIoNs
Through the Prospect Park Family Center, the ministries serve around 800 refugee and immigrant families living in a large apartment community in Whitehall. Established in 2007, the center provides free services, including home health care visits, child development screenings, group activities, and referrals. Family development specialists also work closely with the families, offering activities and information to promote child development. The charity also offers free preschool. An afterschool program at the Whitehall Presbyterian Church for elementary school children, funded though the county and a Heinz Endowments grant, serves 65 students and has 15 staff members, as well as teachers' aides who are usually refugee mothers. Jenet Kenyisasuk, a refugee from Sudan, is an aide and has three children in the program: Kabang, a fourth grader; Jubek, a second grader; and Sasuk, a kindergartener. “My children are happy," she says. "They enjoy the activities, and they love the homework help. It helps them in school. I hope the program continues.” Most of the families living at Prospect Park were sponsored by Catholic Charities, which, along with the Jewish Family and Children's Service, began resettling refugees here over a decade ago. Many of these refugees — Bosnians, Meskhetian Turks, Iraqis, Afghans, Burmese, Burundians, Bhutanese, Nepali, Sudanese, and Congolese — lived for months or even years in refugee camps while waiting to get clearance to the United States. "Today, generations live in refugee camps," says Guffey. "It's all they know." The agencies are required to provide services for resettled families for up to 90 days. After that, they're on their own. That's why Guffey's organization is so important. The charity offers field trips, family nights, and guest speakers to promote a sense of community. It also helps refugees learn and practice English, in partnership with the Greater Pittsburgh Literacy Council. Pantries at both Whitehall and Bethel Park stock food and household items, and Guffey says the pantries are set up to provide a realistic shopping experience for the families. For those who are unable to read English, picture cards are placed on the shelves to aid in identification. "It all goes back to the idea of respect," he says. "When you treat these people with respect, it really goes a long way to helping them get back on their feet again." The Walmart Foundation recently awarded a $30,000 grant to support the program. Clustering such a diverse population in one place gives the people something they need — a sense of community. However, managing such a diverse population is not without its challenges. "First of all, you have the cultural issues," says Guffey. "What do you do in an emergency situation "It all goes back to when a the idea of respect. husband When you treat refuses these people with to let an respect, it really goes E.M.T. a long way to helping them get back on touch his their feet again." wife, simply because of his religious beliefs?" There can be political issues, such as concerns when refugee children place additional demands on the school district. Space is another issue. "Our current facility is pretty much RobERT MoRRIs UNIvERsITy FoUNdATIoNs • 13
Page 1 and 2: Foundations ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSIT
Page 3 and 4: SUMMER}12 Foundations Hometown Hero
Page 5 and 6: We’ve Got the Power To help rejuv
Page 7 and 8: Another Year of Changing Lives The
Page 9 and 10: Take Two Dickens and Call Me in the
Page 11 and 12: GOALIES, BEWARE! "Number 1 in Ameri
Page 13: ROUNDUP BASKETBALL For the fourth c
Page 17 and 18: STAYING CONNECTED the Massey Charit
Page 19 and 20: E ROBOT "No other company has this
Page 21 and 22: dave barry humorist and author Pitt
Page 23 and 24: Go to Foundations Online to see the
Page 25 and 26: Now consider this: Hogan, the forme
Page 27 and 28: -----------------------------------
Page 29 and 30: AND PERSONAL FACULTY PROFILE Althou
Page 31 and 32: CLASS NOTES > ROBERT S. BUTLER '70
Page 33 and 34: CLASS NOTES Northridge High School
Page 35 and 36: CLASS NOTES JOHN J. STRAUB M'07 was
Page 37 and 38: CLASS NOTES MATTHEW D. STANLEY '11
Page 39: SATURDAY | SEPT. 29 HOMECOMING 2012

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