Refugee Resettlement Program Awarded Knights of Columbus Donor Advised Funding
Knight of Columbus, Michael Wolter, presents funds to Refugee Resettlement Director, Kristina Hammell
The Knights of Columbus Donor Advised Funding Board recently awarded the Refugee Resettlement Program dollars to assist with a driver’s training collaboration with a community driver’s education program. This training will assist qualified refugees who are enrolled in the Match Grant Employment Program. The Match Grant Program assist qualified refugees with skills and fluency gain employment within 180 days after arrival. A goal of the Match Grant Program is to ensure refugees families are financial independent without the need for accessing government assistance.
Transportation is a huge obstacle to obtaining early employment. Many of the job opportunities for refugees upon arrival are night shift positions and those that require other modes of transportation to job sights on weekends when buses are not operating.
It is often a challenge to find qualified volunteers that are able to provide behind-the-wheel training. Time constraints and obstacles to providing training in personal vehicles are some of the challenges. Long term goals of this initiative will see families empowered and transformed because their parents are able to qualify for many jobs that are presently available only for those who have driving skills. This great collaboration will ensure children are safe on the roads in our community because their parents are adequately prepared by professionals who will teach them to drive in conditions they are not familiar with and need special skills training to be qualified to drive safely in our community.