By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Nyein Chan knows what it’s like to be a refugee.

He came to the U.S. around 30 years ago as one following unrest in his country of Burma (Myanmar).

Chan was assisted by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and settled in Fort Wayne. He now works for the organization, helping others to settle into life in the U.S.

Chan was one of the speakers at Wednesday, Nov. 10’s information meeting regarding helping Afghan refugees get resettled in the area. The event was at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center.

At least 75 people attended. Along with Chan, speakers included Catholic Charities’ Nicole Kurut, Dick Rooker and Jessica Durando, both of Valley Springs Fellowship Church of Warsaw, and Brad Durcholz of Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Warsaw.

Catholic Charities has been selected by the federal government to facilitate resettlement efforts in the area, and Valley Springs and Sacred Heart churches are helping people in the Warsaw area get involved in assisting refugees.

Kurut and Chan shared the basics of how Catholic Charities works to help refugees and the definition of a refugee. Chan also explained how the government controls the number of refugees allowed into the U.S.

Kurut talked about how people could help. The main plan is to settle the refugees in Fort Wayne, but if there’s a problem securing enough housing, a few families could be settled in Warsaw.

“In order to do that, we would have to have a great group of community members that are willing to be trained as case managers and help us through that (first) 90 days of getting their children enrolled in school, making sure that all of their health screenings are complete, making sure that they are filling out all of their government documents,” she said.

“And by the end of the first 90 days, they’re enrolled in our employment program in hopes that they can find a job and start being able to afford rent and bills and all of those things.”

She also explained how people could help with the refugees who are already arriving in Fort Wayne and if all refugees were settled there.

These include sorting through donations for the refugees, helping set up housing, teaching English and mentoring the people. People can also help financially.

A list of ways to help may be found on the Catholic Charities website or by calling 260-422-5625.