10/13/1975 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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Division in determining what types of jobs remain open (or lony p~:r iods :)~. ~ i::;e and have had informal contact with some of those employers. N:. . Pr i tchard s2:..d there az:e approximately 12-15 heads of households who could bi:: [Jro~!ised jobs at this time. Mr. Dan McClurg stated 90% of the heads of houso?hold tvould be e employed prior to their departure from the camps. Housing and sponsorship wOuld be the next needs. Sponsorships would be the primary source of housing on a short-term basis until these people are better established, Other sponsors would also include churches, civic groups and the like. Education would be another great need. Mr. McClurg went on to say that a $390 per student subsidy is provided on the Federal level as a one-shot, one-year program to assist in the resettlement process and its related problems. The culturation process would rely on volunteers at the University, and services hoped to be provided would include such things as assistance on a one-to-one basis with any problems that arise, English instruction, seminars on American customs, big brother-big sister programs, and so on. The Red Cross is asking for Council's sanction of the project. Mr. McClurg added there is debate regarding whether the refugees should have been brought here, but the fact is that they are here, problems are besetting them already, and they need help. Mr. Pritchard said the program is administratively laid out, wi th a budget formulated and a draft agreement drawn up to execute with the International Rescue Conmlittee. The next step would be official approval of the Lane County Red Cross Board. In answer to a question from Mrs. Beal, Mr. McClurg explained that there are some well qualified people among the refugees - for instance, an accountant with 20 years' experience. In answer to a question on number of refugees in Lane County, Mr. McClurg said they presently have a figure of 32 southeast Asian refugees in School District 4-J. They feel there are at least 55-60 in Lane County. The Red Cross is aware that there will be problems but they do have an organized effort that deals with each phase of the resettlement. Governmental e agencies are not being asked for financial support, though the Red Cross would be working with some government offices from time to time, such as Wel fare. They originally had hoped to resettle 100 refugees but have scaled that figure down to about 50. They are figuring the placement program will take about 6 months with concentrated fOllow-up continuing for at least a year after placement. Principal support is being sought from the City of Eugene, though feedback will be encouraged from Springfield and the County as well. Mrs. Beal wondered if though~ had been given to the unemployment ratio in the a rea. Mr. Pritchard said they have given it very strong consideration and have researched where it would cause the least amount of problems. In tha t rega rd , they worked with the employment division to determine jobs that have gone unfilled for a longer period of time. Mrs. Beal, though agreeing it is a responsibility of the U.S. Government and cities to provide jobs if these refugees are brought to the communities, is troubled with the possibility of depriving those who are already unemployed and who I"ould be willinq to take any kind of job. Mr. Pritchard agreed that it was a major concern and they scaled down the number of refugees they wished to resettle primarily because of the job situation. Mr. Keller feels the program is a very fine one from a humanitarian standpoint; there is probably some obligation on the communities as well. However, it would seem very difficult for him to endorse a program that might take a job away from someone already living in ,the area who has been unemployed. He also sees social services as another critical area. There have been cutbacks in tha t program and to enlarge it without additional funding would deem it rather inadequate. Mr. McCl urg responded by saying .i t is their hope to make productive taxpayers out of these people. They do no t {eel they ~vill experience a tr-emendous e failure rate. They feel there is il high potential for keeping these people off of the Welfare roles and developing /Jseful citizens who can make a contribution to thE.' community. 10/13/75 - 15 54-3