by Jan Roberts
Caveat: One trait that is stable over the years is being open to novel experiences so I am writing this blog for folks that share this trait.
We need to make friends with folks from other countries.We owe it ourselves if we want to live longer and have more meaning and fun in our lives. We also owe it our country to do this….no kidding.
First, let’s do it for our country. Why? Easy, the baby-boom generation is large, and the pattern of retirement that appears to be taking place among older boomers can potentially have a significant effect on lowering the overall workforce participation rate. This inevitable aging of the U.S. population leaves a smaller percentage of the population working and supporting their elders through Social Security and Medicare. It also means the U.S. could face a shortage of workers without a substantial influx of people from other countries.
In addition, the fertility rate was rising before the economic downturn in 2008, but has been falling since and shows few signs of picking up, a new report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland concluded. The U.S. fertility rate fell in 2013, according to the report, which cites the American Community Survey from the U.S. Census. “The declines in fertility rates since 2008 have been remarkable in their extent and persistence,”.
In short and coldly put (for which I apologize), we need more immigrants in our country to assure a large tax base for continuing to fund our government so that infrastructure gets built and social security flourishes. That’s just the facts, m ’am.
Great, so increasing immigrant population helps our tax base, but what’s in it for me?
Personally helping immigrants will help you live longer.
Feeling that you have a sense of purpose in life may help you live longer, no matter what your age, according to research published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association of Psychological Science. “There are a lot of reasons to believe that being purposeful might help protect older adults more so than younger ones,” says researcher Patrick Hill of Carleton University in Canada. The longevity benefits of purpose in life held even after other indicators of psychological well-being, such as positive relations and positive emotions, were taken into account. “These findings suggest that there’s something unique about finding a purpose that seems to be leading to greater longevity for all ages,” says Hill.
So, lending a helping hand to an immigrant by volunteering for a local refugee program can add years to your life. It also could make your life more interesting. Consider for a moment the pleasure of experiencing a new custom or the deliciousness of a new recipe.
One Syrian custom that guys in America might embrace is the wearing of the kaftan, a long gown. Imagine shedding your tight belts and ties and letting your body hang out inside a comfortable loose gown. It seems akin to me of going braless for women.
As for Syrian food, the Syrian cooking tradition is one of the oldest in the world. It is a diffusion of the cultures of civilizations that settled in Syria including Persian, Turkish, Lebanese and Palestinian. Dishes are full of hearty flavor and aromatic spices. Two Syrian recipes for you to try are at the end of this blog.
Okay, where do I find global friends and how can I help?
Florida residents have a head start on the answer to this question. Over the past two years, 43,184 refugees have resettled in Florida, according to the federal government, compared to 16,714 in California, 15,002 in Texas and 8,879 in New York. The number of Florida refugees resettling in the Tampa Bay region is second only to Miami-Dade.
The International Rescue Committee has 26 offices across the United States each offering a variety of individual and group volunteer opportunities throughout the year.
Typical volunteer opportunities include mentoring refugee families and individuals; assisting refugees to develop effective job seeking and interview results; helping maintain a New Roots garden
The IRC is consistently awarded high marks by charity watchdog groups and respected publications for their efficient use of financial support and the effectiveness of their work. Of every $1 the IRC spends, more than 90¢ goes to programs and services that directly benefit refugees and communities affected by war or disaster. More info
World Refugee Day is celebrated each year around the world in different ways. This year it is occurring on June 20th although communities also choose dates around that time. In Tampa Bay, it is being celebrated on Friday, June 17th when 32 local refugees and immigrants will proudly take the Oath of Allegiance to become citizens of the United States. There will also be food and festivities. Check out when it is happening in your community. It is an opportunity to welcome refugees and become involved if you wish.
Here is what Ban Ki-moon says about World Refugee Day: “Refugees are people like anyone else, like you and me. They led ordinary lives before becoming displaced, and their biggest dream is to be able to live normally again. On this World Refugee Day, let us recall our common humanity, celebrate tolerance and diversity and open our hearts to refugees everywhere.” More info.
Who are you likely to meet at a World Refugee Day? One such family, the family of Walid Daabou, a father of 3 boys (ages, 12, 8 and 1) and one girl (3 years old) with his wife, recently arrived from Syria after being forcibly removed from their home and escaping to Turkey with a seriously ill child. With the help of Catholic Charities, Walid’s family is integrating into the community and moved into a home in Pinellas County the end of last year. Walid’s desires for his family are ones to which we can all relate. Through a translator, he said: “My dreams are very simple. I want to be a good citizen. I want for my kids to be able to go school and get educated.” See Walid describe this simple desire on a recent television interview.
From the moment refugees arrive at the airport, Catholic Charities, Diocese is there to guide them toward becoming self-sufficient and contributing members of their new community. Volunteer opportunities include helping refugees learn English, providing them with a cultural orientation and introduction to the community, and offering transportation and interpretation to health services providers.
In addition, the program provides microloans for up to a 3 year repayment term for working capital, to start a business including inventory, machinery, fixtures, tools, supplies, and furniture. More info on Refugee Resettlement Program.
You can also help folks in their villages in other countries in countless ways through NGOs, Faith Communities and educational institutions. Or you can do it as just individuals who care. Here is video of former educators in Florida and their contribution to agricultural reform in Zambia.
There are many benefits to making a global friend, but in case you are still not convinced, here is a friendly reminder from Pope Francis during his historic address to the U.S. Congress:
“We, the people of this continent, are not fearful of foreigners, because most of us were once foreigners…descended from immigrants.” Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. We must…respond in a way which is always humane, just and fraternal.” Let us remember the Golden Rule: ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ (Mt 7:12).”
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