Meeting Time: May 19, 2020 at 2:30pm MST
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Agenda Item

1 Refugee Assistance Program

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    Sara Brashier over 4 years ago

    Refugees are essential to our Phoenix Community, but are often over looked when resources and aid are distributed. I urge the Phoenix City Council to allocate $2 million dollars in emergency relief funding to our refugee and asylum-seeking communities.

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    Michelle Estrada over 4 years ago

    Do not leave a weakest link for the virus to attack our communities. These people work mostly in the hospitality and service industries. These industries have been especially hard hit. They will have a hard time accessing services because of language and cultural barriers. Leaving them on their own will simply be the weakest link the virus needs in our community. The virus does not care who you are. It just needs human bodies. Help them now or I fear our community will pay the price.

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    Janine Gelsinger over 4 years ago

    My Unitarian Universalist values tell me our priority in this pandemic is to care for, support, and protect the most vulnerable among us.
    Undocumented folks, who in so many cases are front line workers, are keeping our city going at great personal risk. We count them in our census for funding; they should have access to services!
    Phoenix has a huge rainy day fund... and right now, its raining! 2million is a start, but it's time to spend to support those who need it. We can't afford not to.

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    Ben Laughlin over 4 years ago

    City leaders have a responsibility to the health and wellbeing of all residents of Phoenix. We need more money put into programs that support refugees, asylum seekers, and undocumented people and a lot less money for police.

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    Jeffrey Hawkinson over 4 years ago

    I strongly support providing this funding. Our refugees and asylees have been greatly affected by the challenges of Covid-19. They are integral to our communities and city.

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    Sydney Files over 4 years ago

    I strongly support increasing assistance to refugees during these unprecedented times of economic instability. As a nation, state, and city of immigrants, we are only as strong as the weakest members of our society. Further funding should be allocated to this essential part of our population. Many of my refugees find security in the City of Phoenix due to its economic opportunities, education system, inclusion, resources, and diversity. We should continue to a home to this loved population.

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    Katherine Ormiston over 4 years ago

    I urge the Phoenix City Council to support $2 million dollars in emergency relief funding for refugee and asylum-seeking communities to overcome challenges accessing COVID relief support. We need to step up to support our community during crises!

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    Beth Strano over 4 years ago

    Refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers have always helped define the Phoenix community, but they have been left out of too many of the CARES Act relief actions. There is a strong need to provide direct assistance, emergency housing, and employment assistance programs that have been created with these vulnerable populations in mind. $2M is just the beginning of this important discussion- please pass this proposal and continue to build from there.

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    Arody Jimenez over 4 years ago

    “I urge the Phoenix City Council to support $2 million dollars in emergency relief funding for refugee and asylum-seeking communities to overcome challenges accessing COVID relief support.”

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    Kara Batdorf over 4 years ago

    Refugees and Asylees are essential to our Phoenix community. They have contributed to the economic development, culture, and life of the city. Emergency assistance directed to these communities is essential in order to meet their unique needs and challenges. I urge the City Council to support Refugees during this time.

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    Rumee Syed over 4 years ago

    I support providing $2 million in assistance for our refugee neighbors in need

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    Parris Wallace over 4 years ago

    City leaders have a responsibility to the health and wellbeing of all residents of Phoenix. Refugees and Asylum seekers are essential members of our community and deserve equal relief and support during this time. I support this but I feel that $2M isn't nearly enough.

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    Alicia Winchel over 4 years ago

    I highly encourage the Phoenix City Council to support providing $2 million in emergency relief funding for our refugee and asylum seeking communities. These populations are especially vulnerable at this time and we need to provide all the support that we can.

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    Allison Ortega over 4 years ago

    Refugees are particularly vulnerable population at this time. Many are in the process of learning English and adapting to a new culture, and usually work in important supporting roles in factories, hotels, and restaurants. Many of these industries have closed their doors for the time being, or are working at a reduced capacity which has had a direct impact on refugees. Please work with agencies and community groups that are serving this population to ensure that refugees' needs are met.

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    Mohammed Alqaysi over 4 years ago

    I urge the Phoenix City Council to support $2 million dollars in emergency relief funding for refugee and asylum-seeking communities to overcome challenges accessing COVID relief support.

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    Cinthia Valenzuela over 4 years ago

    The City of Phoenix needs to act before these very vulnerable families become homeless and in need of more assistance. These families work and support our economy. Please approve the Emergency Relief funding for Refugee and Asylum seeking communities.

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    Riley McMahon over 4 years ago

    The current resources available for COVID-19 do not address, and at points entirely exclude, the disproportionate vulnerabilities facing our immigrant populations. Refugees and Asylees are members of our community and funding needs to be allocated to address their unique needs during this time. I strongly encourage the council to support the $2 million dollars in emergency relief funding for refugee and asylum-seeking communities.

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    Renee Stedman over 4 years ago

    Refugees and asylum-seekers are significantly impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. (language barriers, transportation issues, access to emergency care) I urge this Council to continue to welcome refugees and asylum-seekers and support emergency relief funding to enable them to overcome challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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    Melissa Maness over 4 years ago

    I urge the Phoenix City Council to support $2 million dollars in emergency relief funding for refugee and asylum-seeking communities to overcome challenges accessing COVID relief support.

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    CJ Walker over 4 years ago

    This is so important. I support and urge Phoenix to support refugees!