When Shima arrived in the United States less than two years ago, she spoke little English and had few options. The teenager had left her native country of Iran because those who share her Bahá'i faith are often persecuted there. After a difficult journey that had taken her from Iran to Turkey to Hawaii, she was alone with no place to live.
Thanks to Catholic Charities' Refugee Foster Care Program and a loving family in California who opened their home and their hearts to her, Shima is thriving. The high school junior, who now speaks excellent English, recently earned a 4.0 on her report card.
The Refugee Foster Care Program serves minors from all over the world who are in refugee situations without parents or close relatives. The goal is to help these teens learn how to succeed in their new country by placing them in homes where they can get the care and guidance they need, and ideally form lasting relationships that will endure beyond foster care. Catholic Charities provides extensive support to families and teens, even into adulthood. Shima, now 18, is eligible for Catholic Charities' housing services.
Shima's foster mother, Denise Roy, heard about the program and the young refugees who had been forced to leave their homes due to war or persecution through an article in the newspaper. It moved her to tears.
"This seemed like a chance to do something concrete," said Denise, who already had four children. "It was a way to move out of a feeling of powerlessness in the face of so much war and suffering, to take in one member of the human family."
Denise, an author and popular speaker, writes about the experience in her recently published book: "Momfulness: Mothering with Mindfulness, Compassion and Grace."
"These teens have helped me understand that even though there is so much suffering, there is so much love," she said.
More foster homes are urgently needed. To learn more, contact Coleen Higa at (408) 325- 5159 or RefugeeFosterCare@ccsj.org.
Links to other client stories:
Shima
Tony Nespole
Yolanda Gutierrez
