Monthly Meetings (The last Saturday of every month from 9am-12pm)
"I am overwhelmed. This is a side of America I have never seen."
On December 16, 2011, the USA Presbytery in Charlotte became aware of the great need for assistance that refugees in the area are experiencing. Debbie Wilkinson, Coordinator for Mission & Outreach provided emergency food assistance to two families in need. In addition, she coordinated a group of caring individuals who donated and delivered furniture to three refugee families.
On the same day that Debbie learned of these particular refugees, she also began making phone calls to other organizations and churches that she knows in the area in order to schedule a meeting to make others aware of the situation these refugees are facing once they come to America. The goal of the meeting is identify specific areas where we can come together as an interfaith community and help these refugees who have come here to escape the religious and political persecutions of their own country.
We recognize that once the refugees are settled in the Charlotte area with the assistance of the resettling agency, they require additional assistance in learning our culture, finding healthcare and accessing other services in the area. We hope that in this meeting we will be able to find ways to help families before there becomes a crisis situation.
This meeting will be open to anyone interested in learning more about the refugee population in Charlotte, as well as those who wish to become involved in their lives.
As one young man who is from Burma said of Debbie's kind help, "I am overwhelmed. This is a side of America I have never seen." Our desire is for more people to see the same side of America and know that we care!
The January 27th meeting was a great success! We look forward to coming together an a regular basis as we work together to help the refugees of Charlotte achieve self-sufficiency and a better quality of life.
Debbie is no longer with the Presbytery, however, the Metrolina Baptist Association has offered to host our meetings.