by Emily Bauska

Al, his wife, and their two small children immigrated to the United States from the islands of Chuuk in Micronesia seeking better economic opportunities than their tiny island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean could offer. However, after both Al and his wife were laid off from their jobs in this country, the family found themselves homeless and adrift. Fortunately, Al landed at the More Blue Sky Center, a place of service and sanctuary for refugees and first-generation immigrants in Salt Lake City, Utah. The More Blue Sky Center is a 2007 Women of the ELCA Grant recipient.

When Al came in, "immediately people began pulling up the [location of his] island on the computers," said Leslie Whited Vance, director of Lutheran Social Service of Utah. He was greeted by Maryam and José Bonilla, who often perform and teach music at the center. A few days later, Al and his family shared music from their homeland with Maryam and José. They also received resources for finding housing and jobs. This balance, serving both spiritual and practical needs of immigrants and refugees, makes the More Blue Sky Center unique.

A service of Lutheran Social Service of Utah, the More Blue Sky Center welcomes people referred to them by churches and agencies that serve the homeless and the unemployed. The center has assisted people from all over the world, including Bosnia, Sudan, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

For many immigrants and refugees, arrival in the United States is not the end of the struggle. They are often in culture–shock and left to fend for themselves in complicated health care, housing, and citizenship systems. The center provides access to computers and help with writing resumes and finding housing and work. People can receive bus passes and vouchers for new clothing, shoes, and haircuts.

The computers at the center are equipped with English–learning software that translates to and from 60 languages. The center also teams with Lutheran Social Service to provide translators for some guests. The comfort of being understood in their own languages is critical in helping refugees and immigrants feel loved and valued.

"What I am finding is that the phrase ‘the last shall be first’ is not somewhere way off in the future, but can happen among us now," Leslie said.

As well as serving the practical needs of immigrants and refugees, the center is also a place where they can see or do something that inspires them. There are opportunities for people to engage in art and other forms of creative expression. "We are here to provide whatever is needed," said Maryam, who described the center as "an oasis in the desert." Beautiful art adorns the walls of the center, much of it produced by immigrants and refugees.

"It still takes my own breath away some days when I walk into the center," Leslie said. Lutheran Social Service has recently opened the World of Arts Shoppe where immigrants and refugees may sell their art and music. Art and music classes taught by local artists are also offered at the Shoppe.

"Happiness is contagious," said José. He said that with his music, he hopes to create an atmosphere at the More Blue Sky Center where no one can be sad. An immigrant himself, José fled civil war in Guatemala 26 years ago.

The center is filled with people who understand the struggles of refugees and immigrants because they experienced the same hardships. Amal Mohamed, a former director of the center, is a refugee from Sudan. While working at the center, she completed her G.E.D. Now she is attending Salt Lake City Community College. Anab Awale, the center’s newest intern, uses her job to support her two teenagers. She fled Somalia and spent more than six years as a refugee in Egypt before finally arriving in the United States. Leslie said that even though Anab is just beginning to learn English, she makes connections with visitors to the center through her wisdom, compassion, and creativity.

"The More Blue Sky Center is intended to affirm each person and a whole community," said Leslie, "It is a place where you are loved," she said, "where you can find your own footing with support all around you."

Women of the ELCA Grants
Your gifts to the grants program made it possible to award $87,200 to 29 domestic and 12 international programs this year, all dedicated to raising up healthy women and girls.

This triennium, the Women of the ELCA grants are awarded to programs that support healing and wholeness for women of all ages through the affirmation and advancement of women’s emotional, physical, and spiritual health. See www.womenoftheelca.org/whatwedo/grants.html for more detailed information, including instructions on writing a grant proposal. Proposals will be accepted between December 15, 2007, and February 15, 2008.

Emily Bauska was an intern with the communications team of Women of the ELCA this summer.

How you can help
Through your generosity, Women of the ELCA has provided nearly $3 million in grants to more that 700 recipient organizations since 1988, making a positive difference in the lives of the people these organizations serve. Each year, the need and the requests for assistance increase.

You can help Women of the ELCA continue to support programs and ministries that work to improve women’s emotional, physical, and spiritual health. To give to the grants fund, send your check, made payable to Women of the ELCA Grants Program No. 528, to Women of the ELCA, 8765 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago IL 60631. Or you may use your credit card to contribute on–line to other Women of the ELCA programs at www.womenoftheelca.org/giving_basket.html. You can also purchase a Lucinda Pin (www.womenoftheelca.org/whatwedo/grants.html), which helps support our grants program.

The recipients of Women of the ELCA grants thank you!