Happy New Year!

 Nahla, a staff member at CRIS reflected on what her clients have accomplished in this past year and what she looks forward to in this new year."Last year was the best and the most productive for me in CRIS!  I got to develop and improve my Employment program by modifying some of its requirements to be more compatible with the reality out there and with the most common characteristics of my clients. At the beginning, I designed the curriculum and the registration procedures,  tried to apply those on the very few clients I had just to find shortly afterwards that the program was not heading the desired direction. To help refugees resume their career as engineers, dentists, teachers, or pharmacists required first that I help them find an entry level job to be able to save some money and get some experience on the American job market. Simultaneously, I direct them to the procedures of being re-certified in the U.S. It is necessary to explain to the highly educated refugees (of which most of my clients are) that they need to know that their experience overseas and their certificates are not recognized here and that they need more time and money to be acknowledged as professionals in their previous careers."With this clear view, I could benefit my clients greatly to help them understand and accommodate the new environment to reach the goal of self-sufficiency for themselves and their families. Whenever I see the happy look at a client's eyes after being hired in a stable and descent job, I feel so proud and pleased for this is indeed their first step on the road of dignified and independent lives."Happy New Year from the team at CRIS!  We hope that during this new year you will consider the great impact you can have on refugee families through welcoming them to the United States.  If you are interested in helping welcome refugee families to Columbus you can contact Hannah Hartshorn at hhartshorn@cris-ohio.org.We are so thankful for community members that make our work possible.  So many people support our programs though faithfully donating their time and energy to investing in helping refugees and immigrants reach and sustain self-sufficiency, ultimately helping to build thriving communities.Happy New Year!