Last year I had the most amazing experience of photographing Dr. Anna Ireland at work for one day.
The service that she provides at Hope Refugee Drop in Center in Buffalo, NY is outstanding, and I was so energized to see so many hard working people using their skills to serve others.
Hope is one of the subsidiaries of Jericho Roads Ministries (JRM).
JRM used many of the “Day in The Life” images in their annual report, as well as in presentations for grants, and the results were so positive that they hired me to come back for 3 days straight this year.
I wish I had the time to write a story for everything I saw. I was scheduled down to the minute for 3 days straight, from shooting in home english lessons, sessions on how to establish credit in the US, how to purchase your own home, and even in home consults on how to call the hospital and arrange for babysitting when expecting mothers go into labor.
The back stories of many of these refugees might be tragic, but their future gets better and brighter each day as their medical needs, job skills, and assimilation into their new culture are guided by the caring staff at Jericho Roads Ministries to becoming an essential part of their new community.
These refugees were teasing each other while waiting for translation services at Hope Refugee Center
The waiting room is full first thing in the morning
Jericho Roads also provides after school program for children of refugees to receive tutoring
The children get to play soccer, do science experiments, receive tutoring and translation help, and have social interaction with one another.
JRM provides a class on banking, credit, debit cards, and how to establish credit. A translator interprets everything the bank manager teacher.
something we take for granted, like how to access our money, is completely new to many refugees.
teachers go to the home of refugees. for many of them, it is the only way they could learn, as they do not know how to use the public transportation system and may not even have money to afford it.
Many mothers would not be able to attend english lessons if they had to get a babysitter
mothers practice conjugating while their children play
these dedicated mothers have much more opportunity because of this great service provided by Jericho Roads Ministries.
happy baby cheeks!
learning circle
bundle of joy
It is true that I fall in love with kids pretty easily.
But how can I help it when they crawl in my lap for a photo with me? None of these Burmese girls spoke a word of English.
A worker from the Priscilla Project and her translator visit a mother after her recent birth to make sure the delivery went well, and to see if she has any questions about the care of her baby after leaving the hospital.
Teachers visit preschoolers in their own home to do guided playtime.
The goal of the in home playtime is to help get the preschoolers up to grade level by kindergarten
the students love this regular time with their teacher!
the teachers include the parents in the play time, even if the parents do not speak english. learning how to play with their children to accelerate their learning is essential for getting them up to grade level.
Each year the teachers have a celebration for the preschoolers!
they get a cap, a plaque to show their accomplishments, and a day of fun and games!
Jericho Roads Ministries also cares for the medical needs of refugees.
They have a myriad of translators to help clients with paperwork and green cards.
This family is a great success story of JRM. They went through many of the programs available to them, including the class on how to purchase a home.
Here he is, in front of his new home. As they assimilate into the culture of the US, refugees are improving the neighborhoods in which they live. Much of this would be nearly impossible without the services of Jericho Roads Ministries. Thank you for setting such a high bar!
It’s so true, Anita. There are so many things that are new to them. They don’t know why their electricity is shut off because they don’t know how to read the bill and pay it. They don’t know why they stopped getting food stamps because they didn’t understand how to take the bus to their appointment. I can’t even tell you how many problems JRM solves on a daily basis. Truly the good side of social services.
Beautiful pictures for a great cause. It’s so important for people to understand the difficulties faced my refugees – and to remember that they came here because their lives were in danger. They did not choose to be refugees. Thanks for the work you do and for bringing faces – real people – to the stories.