Why We Started A Refugee Support Network
Dear Refugee and Friend:
We started the Syrian Community Network because we love you! We started SCN because just like any conflict, refugees are always an unfortunate result. We knew you would be coming to the United States and we wanted to be ready for you. We want to be your friends and to welcome you to our community. We want you to feel safe and secure and to finally start rebuilding your life and the lives of your family members. The Syrian crisis began when young people took to the streets of Syria and asked for reforms, for change, to end the corruption, they wanted jobs, they wanted opportunities and they wanted to build a country that helps them reach their full potential. How did the Assad regime respond? With brutality! How did the free world respond? With empty rhetoric, empty promises and “you’re basically on your own. Oh and by the way, deal with ISIS on your own too!”
Now you are refugee looking for safe haven and leaders in United States don’t want you because they think you are a threat. But guess what?! The public has spoken! Our small organization and every refugee support organization we work with have been overwhelmed with volunteer requests, requests to house refugees like you and even donations to help you with your immediate needs.
The American people not only want you here but they also want to help you. We Americans want to welcome you, to be your friend and to help you in your adjustment period as you start your new life.
We live in the greatest country in the world, a country built by our founding fathers who believed that America could be and is the beacon for religious freedom, justice and where you can proudly be yourself.
We want your children to grow up to become doctors, lawyers, engineers, join the police, become firefighters, judges and hold a congressional seat. We want your children to become leaders of civic organization’s who will work and advocate for immigrants and refugees.
We want your children to shine brightly and light up a room with their smiles. We want your daughters to flourish at school and feel safe and free in how they choose to display their religiosity. We want you to know that we Americans have big hearts and we will work hard to advocate for you and to speak up for your right to seek a safe haven in the U.S.
America has a long tradition of accepting refugees and now it’s up to us ordinary citizens to champion your cause, to advocate and to rally people of all faiths to welcome you. Yes, all people need to speak up. As Dr. Martin Luther King said “In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”
Sincerely,
Suzanne Akhras Sahloul
Founder & Executive Director
Syrian Community Network
Syrian Community Network
