Help a Ypsilanti refugee family

Feb 6, 2023:

Their family and friends in Turkey and Syria have been very, very badly affected by the earthquake. Any funds raised will be sent directly as soon as they can safely send money over. More information in latest update. Please keep them in your thoughts, help if you're able, and if you already have your generosity and kindness is appreciated so, so much. Thank you all. - Jen

Update:

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who helped us fund housing and transportation for this fantastic family! It was amazing to see Michiganders being so caring and welcoming. We're still taking donations that will go directly to the family - check the latest update for details. ♥️ 

Original Story:

Hello Friends!

There is a new refugee family from Syria in our Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor community, and they need a little help to start their lives in America. 

We are a group of volunteers who have been helping the family with learning English and settling in Michigan. We're asking for a little help on their behalf from the community they now call Home.

Like the stories you read in the paper, their lives have been extremely difficult and sad. They have lost their homes. They have lost their community. They have lost friends and family to war. 

In America, they hope to make a life for themselves and their children.

But getting started has been a real struggle. They are taking English classes, but becoming even conversational takes time. The father is ill, which makes finding a job very difficult. The mother has a baby, so cannot work yet. Unfortunately, when the family arrived in Michigan they were placed in housing that is too expensive for them. Refugee families often arrive without much notice, and the most affordable housing that the resettlement agency was able to find is a few hundred dollars more than they have each month. They are still waiting on government documents before they can even apply for more affordable public housing. 

They are a warm and loving family with 4 active, young kids but they have additional obstacles that is making resettlement more challenging.

Without a car (using the bus has been a challenge due to health, kids, and language issues), they are stuck in their house and cannot do simple errands, take the kids on outings, get kids to summer programs, explore the area or connect with the community.  Imagine being stuck home all summer with 4 young kids! 

We started this page to help the family cover the shortfall in their rent for the next few months until they get into public housing and to purchase a used car (Mom is learning to drive!).

While they were very reluctant to ask for assistance, we believe many would want to help them get on their feet and welcome them here. 

Any contribution, large or small, to help them start their lives in America would be appreciated!

Thank you! 

Syrian Refugee Family Support Team

Emily H., Emily K., Jen, Taim, Christine, and Will

Sidenotes:

+ Out of respect for their privacy, we are not sharing their names.  If you have any questions, please ask!

+ If you would like to give your donation offline, you may do so directly to any of the volunteer team and we will get it where it needs to be. If you do so, please send an email to Jen or comment on this page and I will add your donation to our fundraising totals. Thank you!

+ At the request of Go Fund Me:

1. Who you are and where you’re from

My name is Jennifer Schlicht, and I live in Ypsilanti, MI

2. Your relationship with the parties for whom you are raising funds and your method of contact with them

I am an English conversation partner, and I visit the family 2-3 times a week for English lessons, short trips, driving lessons, and soccer games with the kids.

3. How the funds will be spent (be specific as possible)

Funds will first be used to cover the balance owed in rent, directly to the landlord.

Remaining funds will be used to purchase a used car for the family. 

Anything remaining will go towards car insurance payments .

4. Your specific plan for how the funds will be withdrawn from and sent to the beneficiary of the campaign

Will have cashier's checks issued from my credit union to the landlord and the remainder in a similar fashion for the purchase of a used vehicle once a suitable one for the family is found.

Thank you!