Concerned that Missouri state refugee resettlement funds would be taken away if it helped relocate a Syrian family, Della Lamb Community Services reached out to its tight knit network of volunteers for help.
"Originally when Della was bringing this family, it was concerned if they did not get the state funding - the way the state has been threatening not to give funding to such organizations - how would they be able to support this family," said Sofia Khan.
WATCH: First Syrian refugee family leaves Jordan, heads to Kansas City
One of those people was Khan, an area physician and refugee activist who welcomed the al-Abboud family to Kansas City before they even set foot on American soil.
"I was able to develop a support system that committed to supporting the family in whatever it took," said Khan. "I decided if I was not able to find the funds, I would fund them personally, but I would not let this project fail. God has blessed us."
First #Syrian #refugees arrive in #KansasCity. @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/jyNFRbdyDI
— Terra Hall (@TerraHall) April 7, 2016
She reached out to area Syrians, Muslims and refugees and asked them to be a safety net for the al-Abboud family should the state of Missouri revoke refugee funding. It was only then that Della Lamb committed to sponsoring the family of seven.
"[The] majority of the people in America have a good heart and they want to do the right thing," she said. "Fifty percent of the people [involved] were Muslims, and 50 percent were the local Kansas City church community, and they are ready to do whatever it takes to help these people."
Several families to which Khan reached out committed to give $100 each to the al-Abboud family to cover rent, utilities and groceries.
Amazing turnout for the Syrian refugees. @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/07XxCCBYBQ
— Terra Hall (@TerraHall) April 7, 2016
Ahmed al-Abboud arrived in Kansas City Wednesday evening with his wife and their five children. Della Lamb will help the family settle in, learn English, get health screenings, enroll their children in school and find jobs. The U.S. State Department requires that the family be self-sufficient within the next three months.
41 Action News has received several messages from the public asking how locals can help this family and refugee families like this one. Please reach out to Jonathan Hyde and Judy Akers at Della Lamb to learn how you can be of assistance.
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