Resettlement Service:
A Case-In-Point

The "H" Family arrived at the
Metro-Detroit airport from the Soviet
Union with two suitcases and their
dream of immigrating to the United
States coming true. They left behind
their friends and family, their home,
their possessions and their culture to
begin a new life in Michigan.
Board members of the Resettlement
Service were at the airport with a
warm welcome for the H family. Their
caseworker Olga, greeted them. She
would help them adjust to their new
life in the United States.
Olga made the arrangements, as she
does with all of her cases, to rent an
apartment and supply it with food and
donated furniture for the family before
their arrival. Olga also had to find im-
portant items like linens, towels, pots,
and dishes from the Resettlement Ser-
vice Warehouse.
On their first appointment at Reset-
tlement Service, Olga went through
the routine of explaining: how they
would apply to Social Security, go to
the Jewish Vocational Service for job
assistance, go to Sinai Hospital for a
medical screening, be enrolled in
English as a Second Language class at
the Jewish Community Center and
meet with a representative from
Hebrew Free Loan about borrowing
money for a car once employment has
been found. Olga made transportation
arrangements in the interim for the
family through Jewish Family Service's
Volunteer Program. The staff is the
client's first and sometimes only con-
nection to their new home when they
arrive. The staff has to be accessible,
seven days a week to provide guidance
and support.
After a few weeks, Mr. H was for-
tunate to find a job with a major
automobile manufacturer in a profes
sional capacity Mrs. H was attempting
to build a career with the help of
Jewish Vocational Service. They were
beginning to make a life for
themselves.
After a series of routine medical
tests, to investigate a prior condition
which she had noticed in the Soviet

Union, Mrs. H was advised that she in
fact had a terminal illness and that she
had a very short time to live. The
Resettlement Service Caseworkers
have very little information about their
clients before they arrive. Medical and
emotional problems often surface upon
arrival and must be dealt with as soon
as possible by the caseworker.
The staff at Jewish Vocational Ser-
vice also helped and bought food for
the family. The Jewish Community
Center provided daycare for their
young son. Olga made arrangements
for Meals-On-Wheels to be delivered
to their home. Volunteers stepped in to
be there for support for the family.
In spite of all the volunteer help and
support during this crisis, Olga realiz-
ed that Mrs. H needed her family
members in Russia to be with her.
Olga approached her supervisor,
Sandy Hyman, Director of Resettle-
ment Service, trying to find help with
facilitating the arrival of Mrs. H's fami-
ly members. Mrs. H's parents and
sister had already been granted
refugee status in Russia, but due to the
constant changes in immigration
policies, they were unable to buy
airplane tickets. The family was on a
waiting list to receive a loan from the
American government for plane
tickets, which would take months.
Marcy Feldman, President of Reset-
tlement Service, made arrangements
for American dollars to be obtained to
purchase plane tickets and expedite
the family's arrival. The family arrived
in Detroit on the second day of the
Russian Coup.
Due to the generosity of the Jewish
community and the help of Resettle-
ment Service, Mrs. H is now better
able to deal with her illness with the
love and support of her parents, family
and new friends at her side.
Each case at Resettlement Service is
unique. The agency has resettled 141
families in the Metro-Detroit area from
January through July 1991. ■

Give a li±c
prcc of your
Heart.
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Your Donation to United Jewish Appeal
and United Way Helps Us!

Your interest in and support of
Jewish Family Service is deeply ap-
preciated by us all and, most especial-
ly, by our clients. Whether it is a poor
family needing food for Passover, a
family in crisis, or an elderly person in
need of transportation, your Jewish
Family Service has been there to help
because of your support!
United Jewish Appeal and the
United Way, through you, also helps us
help. When you make a pledge
through your employer or on your
own, you have an easy way to continue
this helping tradition.

Gifts to Allied Jewish Campaign
benefit all of our services and pro-
grams. Your contribution to the United
Way campaign can be designated for
Jewish Family Service.

THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

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United Way

RESETTLEMENT SERVICE WISH LIST FOR WAREHOUSE

From A to Z

Quiche Plate (and casserole dishes)
Radio or Television
Something special for a new American
family
Towels
Utensils (forks, knives, spoons)
VOLUNTEERS!
Whatever household items you can
donate
Xylophone (or other musical
instruments)
Yarn and Knitting Tools
ZOOM OVER TO THE WAREHOUSE
and donate any of the items listed
or other household goods!

Appliances
Blankets
Clocks
Dishes
Every type of household item
Furniture
Games (for children)
Hand Tools
Irons
Judaica
Kitchen supplies
LAMPS!
Mugs
Napkins and Tablecloths
Oven (Toaster)
Pots and Pans

Resettlement Service does not reveal client
identities or information without client
permission.

WAREHOUSE HOURS:
Tuesday and Wednesday 12:00 to
or by appointment

2:00

LOCATION:
Northland Mall, two doors down from
Kirby's Koney Island, near Valet
Parking

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE

Pictured above, Alan Goodman, Executive Director, with authors of the Resettlement Service
Cookbook, at a book-signing event.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT DONATING FURNITURE AND
FREE PICK-UP SERVICE, PLEASE CALL BRONYA SPEKTOR AT
RESETTLEMENT SERVICE AT 559-4566