"Once people learn about the rigorous process these refugees have to go through, I think some of them will realize this is a very good system we have."
Mongi Dhaouadi
The civil war in Syria has claimed thousands of lives and led millions of Syrians to seek refuge in other countries, including the U.S. Federal officials said just 2,100 of them have been resettled in the U.S. so far.
In Connecticut, there's been a developing grassroots effort over the last several months to help Syrian refugees.
Just a few months ago, community members from different faith backgrounds started talking about ways they could help Syrian refugees who had just arrived in the state.
"We couldn't just sit and watch," said Mongi Dhaouadi, executive director of the Council of Islamic Relations Connecticut chapter. He's leading an effort called the ten in ten campaign.
Dhaoudi said the campaign goal is to bring ten families to each of ten cities across Connecticut. "Many individuals stepped forward and offered they'd like to help, and even house, some refugees in their own homes," he said.
From there, Dhaoudi said the coalition met with the several refugee resettlement agencies in Connecticut, including IRIS in New Haven, and Catholic Charities, to identify community resources.
Dhaouadi said this informal network helped IRIS on Tuesday to find a place for a Syrian family set to arrive in the U.S. They were supposed to live in Indiana, but with growing opposition there and in other states, the family's new home will be in Connecticut.
Indiana officials sent letters on Tuesday to Exodus Refugee Immigration, Inc., and Catholic Charities Indianapolis to say plans to accept two Syrian families should be halted. Exodus executive director Carleen Miller said she doesn't believe the state has the power to stop the resettlements, but she didn't want the family to go through any additional "scrutiny or drama."
Dhaouadi said the coalition doesn't want to dismiss concerns from residents. But he said that with education, fears can be overcome.
"Once people learn about the rigorous process that these refugees have to go through in the U.N. and then the U.S., and the interviews, and the agencies that have to do the background checks, I think some of them will realize this is a very good system we have," Dhaoudi said. "But also, we think with human contact, talking with these families will be a great experience where people will hopefully change their mind."
The ten in ten campaign will hold a press conference at the State Capitol on Friday, November 20, where community members and resettled Syrian families will share their stories.
This report includes information from The Associated Press.
