Objectives for this program are:

1. To provide instruction on how to deal with every day needs, including housing, transportation, communication, food, banking, health care, and schooling.
2. To provide training and support services to help Southern Sudanese people deal with differing cultural expectations while preserving family values & culture.
3. To increase understanding and knowledge about community support networks for refugees and immigrants.

Speakers conduct sessions for people who have recently arrived in the United States to assist them in settling and in taking their first steps toward self-sufficiency. The emphasis of this program is to help the people become acquainted with where to go, what to do and how to do it in order to fulfill their basic needs. Instruction covers such subjects as:

1. Food (shopping, preparation, storage, restaurants, nutrition)
2. Transportation (public transportation, automobiles, driving instructions, and licenses)
3. Health (doctors, hospitals, dentists, public health assistance)
4. Housing (renting, buying, locations)
5. Finances (banks, savings, check writing, paying bills, obtaining a Social Security Card, paychecks, credit cards, establishing credit, borrowing)
6. Schooling children
7. Communications (obtaining a telephone, sending a letter)

For more information contact Paul Dador at (253) 854-0017.