• How It All Began
The terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 destroyed many lives and forever changed many more. Terence’s brother, Phil, and his wife Carolyn wanted to find a way to honor his memory and create something positive out of the tragedy that so directly affected their family. On October 7, 2001, Carolyn saw a photograph in the local news of a political refug
ee family from Afghanistan now living in Phoenix. Carolyn and Phil realized this family sought the same things they did – safety, housing and a future free of fear for their children. They began collecting donations of household goods and clothing for the Afghan family from their friends, seeking to give meaning to Terence’s death in the survival of this family.
• What is a refugee? What do Albert Einstein, Madeleine Albright, Casanova, Sigmund Freud, and Victor Hugo have in common? and people from around the world have benefited from the talents, perseverance, courage, and heart of a group vastly different from each other but who share a common will to survive. WTAP serves foreign refugees who have recently been relocated to the Phoenix area by the U.S. State Department. These refugees are supported by local resettlement agencies that help with their transition. These families have usually been in refugee camps for 10-12 years and often come from countries all over the world. The refugees we help are here on a special visa and ultimately become U.S. citizens. They are highly motivated, resourceful and eager to start a new life. They develop strong ties to their new communities, make active contributions, work hard and pay taxes. The United Nations defines a Refugee as “someone who has fled his or her country because he/she fears persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion.” The definition is often expanded to include people fleeing war or other armed conflict. Refugees generally do not choose to leave their homes, but are forced to flee for their lives. Many Americans desperately wait for their refugee spouses, parents and children who are still trapped in life-threatening situations overseas. We want them to know that the USA is a hopeful place of liberty and peace.
