Reframing the ask…Reframing the ask…for resettlementfor resettlement

What images does the What images does the media use to portray a media use to portray a

“refugee” ?“refugee” ? DowntroddenDowntrodden

PoorPoor

UneducatedUneducated

VictimVictim

SadSad

DisadvantagedDisadvantaged

DisposableDisposable

What does the word What does the word “refugee” mean to refugee “refugee” mean to refugee

service professionals?service professionals? SurvivorSurvivor

ResilientResilient

SkilledSkilled

CulturedCultured

SpiritualSpiritual

ResourcefulResourceful

Just like usJust like us

Making a New StartMaking a New Start

RRISA staff wants to engage the community in a RRISA staff wants to engage the community in a way that: way that:

Creates positive images of refugeesCreates positive images of refugees

Focuses on the hopeful future instead of the Focuses on the hopeful future instead of the traumatic pasttraumatic past

Tells a story that audiences can relate to about Tells a story that audiences can relate to about rebuilding and starting anewrebuilding and starting anew

In 2008 RRISA started a new In 2008 RRISA started a new program called “Design for a program called “Design for a

New Start”New Start”

This idea came out of our current national This idea came out of our current national obsession with makeovers, home design shows obsession with makeovers, home design shows (HGTV) and competition-based reality TV.(HGTV) and competition-based reality TV.

The challenge was to take this trend and turn it The challenge was to take this trend and turn it into a fun, creative and community building into a fun, creative and community building activity that simultaneously helped refugees.activity that simultaneously helped refugees.

Getting StartedGetting Started1.1. Solicit teams to compete (e.g. neighborhood Solicit teams to compete (e.g. neighborhood

teams, schools, churches, etc.)teams, schools, churches, etc.)

2.2. Have the teams register and pay a small Have the teams register and pay a small registration fee to cover admin costs and registration fee to cover admin costs and create a buy-increate a buy-in

3.3. Develop rules and judging criteriaDevelop rules and judging criteria

4.4. Conduct team orientations to educate them Conduct team orientations to educate them about refugees and explain the rules and about refugees and explain the rules and processprocess

The DesignThe Design Provide a basic needs Provide a basic needs checklistchecklist

Prepare Prepare cultural backgroundercultural backgrounder of family of family

Allow one-week Allow one-week set-up timeset-up time

JudgeJudge designs designs immediatelyimmediately after set-up after set-up

Use Use criteriacriteria such as: securing all items on checklist, such as: securing all items on checklist, cultural competency, design and staying on budgetcultural competency, design and staying on budget

Give Give bonus pointsbonus points that help meet that help meet agency goalsagency goals like like cash contributions or hard to get donated itemscash contributions or hard to get donated items

ChallengesChallenges

Takes staff time to coordinate Takes staff time to coordinate

Must manage volunteers and Must manage volunteers and expectationsexpectations

Requires weekend work…. (nothing Requires weekend work…. (nothing new)new)

BenefitsBenefits Gets board members involved hands-onGets board members involved hands-on

Engages new volunteers and donorsEngages new volunteers and donors

Provides fully furnished & beautifully decorated apartments Provides fully furnished & beautifully decorated apartments that save $$$ that save $$$

Promotes Promotes good qualitygood quality in-kind and cash donations (match in-kind and cash donations (match funds) funds)

Makes long term friends for the agencyMakes long term friends for the agency

Reframes the ask from “saving a refugee family” to “using Reframes the ask from “saving a refugee family” to “using your creativity and team work to help welcome a family to your creativity and team work to help welcome a family to your community”your community”

Some Winning Design for a Some Winning Design for a New Start Apartment New Start Apartment

PhotosPhotos

2010 New Start 2010 New Start CampaignCampaign

From this idea RRISA created a year long campaign that From this idea RRISA created a year long campaign that incorporates the New Start concept:incorporates the New Start concept:

Dine for a New Start, Shop for a New Start, Consign Dine for a New Start, Shop for a New Start, Consign for a New Startfor a New Start….the list is never ending….the list is never ending

Creates a unified message for giving; a branded concept Creates a unified message for giving; a branded concept that people have come to recognizethat people have come to recognize

Associates RRISA with a fun and positive way to support a Associates RRISA with a fun and positive way to support a good causegood cause

Creates a focused partnership with The Development Creates a focused partnership with The Development Committee of the Board and RRISA staffCommittee of the Board and RRISA staff

Events for 2010…Events for 2010…

…Here

We

Go!

ResultsResults 22 apartments set up (3 contests)22 apartments set up (3 contests)

Over $15,000 raisedOver $15,000 raised

New partnerships – 4 restaurants, 5 Law New partnerships – 4 restaurants, 5 Law Firms, 6 schoolsFirms, 6 schools

Over 1000 volunteersOver 1000 volunteers

Over $80,000 in in-kind donationsOver $80,000 in in-kind donations

AND A LOT OF FUN HAD BY ALL!!AND A LOT OF FUN HAD BY ALL!!