Reframing the ask… for resettlement

What images does the media use to portray a “refugee” ? Downtrodden Downtrodden Poor Poor Uneducated Uneducated Victim Victim Sad Sad Disadvantaged Disadvantaged Disposable Disposable

What does the word “refugee” mean to refugee service professionals? Survivor Survivor Resilient Resilient Skilled Skilled Cultured Cultured Spiritual Spiritual Resourceful Resourceful Just like us Just like us

Making a New Start RRISA staff wants to engage the community in a way that: Creates positive images of refugees Creates positive images of refugees Focuses on the hopeful future instead of the traumatic past Focuses on the hopeful future instead of the traumatic past Tells a story that audiences can relate to about rebuilding and starting anew Tells a story that audiences can relate to about rebuilding and starting anew

In 2008 RRISA started a new program called “Design for a New Start” This idea came out of our current national obsession with makeovers, home design shows (HGTV) and competition-based reality TV. This idea came out of our current national obsession with makeovers, home design shows (HGTV) and competition-based reality TV. The challenge was to take this trend and turn it into a fun, creative and community building activity that simultaneously helped refugees. The challenge was to take this trend and turn it into a fun, creative and community building activity that simultaneously helped refugees.

Getting Started 1. Solicit teams to compete (e.g. neighborhood teams, schools, churches, etc.) 2. Have the teams register and pay a small registration fee to cover admin costs and create a buy-in 3. Develop rules and judging criteria 4. Conduct team orientations to educate them about refugees and explain the rules and process

The Design Provide a basic needs checklist Provide a basic needs checklist Prepare cultural backgrounder of family Prepare cultural backgrounder of family Allow one-week set-up time Allow one-week set-up time Judge designs immediately after set-up Judge designs immediately after set-up Use criteria such as: securing all items on checklist, cultural competency, design and staying on budget Use criteria such as: securing all items on checklist, cultural competency, design and staying on budget Give bonus points that help meet agency goals like cash contributions or hard to get donated items Give bonus points that help meet agency goals like cash contributions or hard to get donated items

Challenges Takes staff time to coordinate Takes staff time to coordinate Must manage volunteers and expectations Must manage volunteers and expectations Requires weekend work…. (nothing new) Requires weekend work…. (nothing new)

Benefits Gets board members involved hands-on Gets board members involved hands-on Engages new volunteers and donors Engages new volunteers and donors Provides fully furnished & beautifully decorated apartments that save $$$ Provides fully furnished & beautifully decorated apartments that save $$$ Promotes good quality in-kind and cash donations (match funds) Promotes good quality in-kind and cash donations (match funds) Makes long term friends for the agency Makes long term friends for the agency Reframes the ask from “saving a refugee family” to “using your creativity and team work to help welcome a family to your community” Reframes the ask from “saving a refugee family” to “using your creativity and team work to help welcome a family to your community”

Some Winning Design for a New Start Apartment Photos

2010 New Start Campaign From this idea RRISA created a year long campaign that incorporates the New Start concept: Dine for a New Start, Shop for a New Start, Consign for a New Start….the list is never ending Dine for a New Start, Shop for a New Start, Consign for a New Start….the list is never ending Creates a unified message for giving; a branded concept that people have come to recognize Creates a unified message for giving; a branded concept that people have come to recognize Associates RRISA with a fun and positive way to support a good cause Associates RRISA with a fun and positive way to support a good cause Creates a focused partnership with The Development Committee of the Board and RRISA staff Creates a focused partnership with The Development Committee of the Board and RRISA staff

Events for 2010… …Here We Go!

Results 22 apartments set up (3 contests) 22 apartments set up (3 contests) Over $15,000 raised Over $15,000 raised New partnerships – 4 restaurants, 5 Law Firms, 6 schools New partnerships – 4 restaurants, 5 Law Firms, 6 schools Over 1000 volunteers Over 1000 volunteers Over $80,000 in in-kind donations Over $80,000 in in-kind donations AND A LOT OF FUN HAD BY ALL!!