HOLISTIC REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT IN OKC "THE COMMON"

The Spero Project has partnered with its community in OKC to offer holistic and sustainable refugee resettlement.

Funding this initiative will ensure the use of “The Common” services provided by The Spero Project for more refugees, as well as support the overall mission of Spero project! “The Common” is one of 5 major areas of service that Spero Project offers. All of the services provided by The Spero Project align directly with the vision of our organization, and provide sustainable services to the oppressed. The Common’s mission is to cultivate meaningful relationships, and provide tangible assistance to the refugees it serves. These passionate people have been serving in OKC for 10 years now, and it’s truly amazing to see the work they’ve done by providing a holistic approach to refugee resettlement.

Initiative Anticipated Impact and Outcomes:

The Common is a holistic and sustainable approach to ensure that refugees and the oppressed are loved, supported, guided, educated, and sustained, to help ensure a successful transition into American society, specifically into the OKC community. The common partners with many people in the OKC area and builds meaningful relationships to foster sustainable resettlement. The Spero Project doesn’t just send out the people it’s served, rather it has empowered the people it serves to give back to the community around them, and again providing a sustainable recipe for success through relationships. By funding this grant, we will ensure that more families and refugees will be able to be served by The Spero Project through “The Common.”

Initiative Sustainability Plan:

The Common’s sustainability is fostered through meaningful relationships with the community, and partnerships with people in OKC. Sustainability is fostered by involving community and partnerships with the initiative. These relationships include…

• Pastoral Care
• Youth Mentoring
• Hosting community gatherings, celebrations
• Being neighbors and friends
• Cultivating networks of caring:
• Employers
• Landlords
• Educators
• Health care professionals
• Churches

Tangible assistance to refugees is a necessity, so Spero Project has been very thoughtful to include many of the services that refugees need in order for them to have a successful transition. The tangible assistance services that The Spero Project provides through “The Common” include support and assistance in areas of:

• Job search, etc…
• Housing procurement
• Educational transitions, enrollment
• Medical needs & navigating systems
• Navigating social service systems
• Tutoring
• English Language Learning Classes & Tutoring
• Critical care in emergency situations
• On-site resources housed at a primary housing unit for the community:
• Homework help
• Citizenship Test preparation
• Education, life skills classes

The Spero Project is doing amazing work in OKC and have already been successful in helping many refugee families have a smoother transition into the OKC community. I have known the leaders of this organization and can affirm their passion for the work they do. Their vision and mission align beautifully with those of Legacy Collective and I hope this grant can be a small piece of a beautiful relationship formed with this amazing organization. Please contact Brad Bandy if there are further questions about this initiative.

Total Funding Requested: $12,000

Funding Date Requirement: 2/16/2019

Summary and/or Supporting Documents:  

Initiative Video or Related Links:

Nonprofit Name: The Spero Project

Nonprofit Website:  https://www.thesperoproject.com/