World Relief Spokane continues to serve

 

Christi Armstrong, executive director of World Relief Spokane, said she is often asked what World Relief is doing now that the refugee pipeline has stopped and funding for services has been cut.

She points out that it currently has an impact on the lives of 1,151 who are in Spokane.

"World Relief is committed to serve the refugees who are here, revising the way our 42 staff work, despite having no new arrivals," she said. "We are going strong as we are changing our thinking from welcoming refugees to focusing on including and belonging."

Christi shared several examples of recent efforts.

• Donors recently gave funds for bikes, helmets and classes for a BMX camp that taught eight teens bike skills and helped them gain confidence on a BMX track.

• As schools open, more than 550 youth are assisted with challenges they face as they adapt to the cultural and school expectations, establish community and build friendships.

• One man, Balinda, from Congo was hosted by a man in law enforcement. The impact of their interactions led Balinda to become a police officer two years ago. A year-and-a-half ago, his wife and daughter came, and they have a baby on the way now.

A big piece of what World Relief offers is education that helps people adjust to the society and life here. They have served 144 people in the last three quarters.

"I love to see people gain skills and confidence," Christi said.

Classes at both of World Relief Spokane's two locations, called friendship centers—at 11707 E Sprague and 512 S. Bernard—include basics of computers, budget basics, job skills and financial management.

CHAS clinic, which offers a monthly mobile clinic at the sites, also provides nutrition clinics and education on vaccines, health issues and women's health.

In addition, World Relief provides English (ESL) tutoring to help people adjust and communicate.

World Relief's economic empowerment department has a team of seven who do employment coaching and assist clients with job placement working with hundreds of employers in Spokane/Spokane Valley and placing 226 in jobs in the last year.

Their career advancement program works with Spokane's community colleges and Eastern Washington University to help people access education and training to move ahead in their careers.

Christi, who became executive director three years ago, has been at World Relief Spokane 12 years, starting as an employment specialist and then the director of the economic empowerment department.

"I came on staff with World Relief not knowing much about refugees or that there were refugees in Spokane," said Christi, who studied business and previously worked as the director at Union Gospel Mission's Anna Ogden Hall and for 20 years as a pastor in Open Bible churches in Spokane.

Christi lived in Minot, ND, until she was nine and then lived in several cities in Montana. She met her husband in Missoula.

She came to Spokane with her husband Paul, 30 years ago from Missoula, Mont., where she focused on raising their two sons.

In 2002 she earned a diploma in Bible and theology from the Institute of Theology by Extension (INSTE) Global Bible College in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2012, she earned a degree in human services management from the University of Phoenix.

She has served at Open Bible churches for the 30 years she has been in Spokane, beginning with doing volunteer work in recovery ministry at The Intersection Church.

"I felt called to a place in leadership in the church, motivated by my personal journey in overcoming hurdles in my life through recovery ministry," said Christi.

"In World Relief, I realized people were working on survival issues as they transition from places they fled because of war and persecution," she said. "I work with refugees who suffered a loss of trust with people."

World Relief, she said, is a place that offers compassion to help people build relationships so they can rebuild trust as someone helps them navigate the new society and culture.

"In the process, they learn that people care, and they belong," Christi said. "They learn they do not just live in a city, but the city is a place where people care about and help them."

When she was first on staff with World Relief, she worked with Sudanese refugees and now has many Sudanese friends who call her "Mom."

"We have a family relationship," said Christi, pointing out the importance for staff who develop relationships to have "good boundaries."

Some work with refugees as professional counselors. There is one clinical therapist on staff. The relationship with refugees depends on the role of staff and volunteers with people they serve.

The case managers help refugees navigate life as Americans, finding the medical help and resources they need.

Community ambassadors, who are from different refugee communities, speak the language, understand the refugees' culture and know gaps for their communities.

There is an Arabic speaking community ambassador working with Sudanese and Syrians, a Swahili speaking ambassador for Congolese, a Ukrainian speaking ambassador, a Pashto- and Farsi-speaking ambassador for Afghans and a Spanish-speaking ambassador for the Latino community from South and Central America.

Christi said she doesn't know the number of refugees who live in Spokane, because some settle here and then move to other communities, and some move to Spokane from other cities.

A critical factor with funding cuts in the next year is that it's hard to know what cuts there will be to federal and state grants.

"As cuts come, we are grateful for the overwhelming generosity of the Spokane and Spokane Valley communities that welcome refugees," Christi said, adding that there are more opportunities for volunteers as funds are cut and there are fewer staff.

Christi is also enthusiastic about working with other refugee agencies through the Eastern Washington Refugee Coalition, because each agency has different areas of expertise.

"We can do more work together to serve the people better," she said. "We have learned the value of collaborating to provide quality services. It's a value to know we are not alone. We can call each other leaders to share wisdom and advice."

"When I came on staff with World Relief, I had a typical Western mindset and limited experience with other cultures," said Christi. "My work with World Relief has radically changed my worldview in ways just travel or even mission trips can't do."

"Here, I have met refugees who have very different experiences than I have. They fled their homes and left all they had," she said. "It changes the way I view the world."

Hosting a Muslim Sudanese man for two years, Christi has shared with her two sons and seven grandchildren, her connections with the Sudanese community.

As a result, both Riverside Real Life, where her son Kelly is pastor, and Foundation Church, where her daughter-in-law is pastor, are now both active with World Relief.

Christi has found in talking with people of other faiths, such as from Muslim countries, that "we have a lot in common. They are ordinary people, not Islamists. When we build on our commonalities it makes us better people."

Christi values the faith conversations she has with Muslim friends.

"It's not only okay to have conversations with people outside of Christian faith, but also it has enhanced my faith," she clarified. "I have a deeper understanding of why people of other faiths believe what they believe. I have intelligent, productive conversations with people of different faiths who care."

In conversing with people of other beliefs, she and they experience "ahas," such as her learning that the Quran includes much of the Bible.

"We are all human beings and have the same desire to be loved, to belong and to be safe," she said.

For information, call 953-0544, email carmstrong@wr.org or visit worldrelief.org/Spokane.