Kentucky State Coordinators:State Refugee Coordinator: Becky JordanORR Regional Representative: Faith HurtCatholic Charities of Louisville: Lead agency for refugee settlement in KY Kentucky Office for Refugees (KOR): serves as State Refugee Coordinator designated by the ORR; provides leadership and policy, as well as manages funding Migration and Refugee Services (MRS): Provide services and training in assistance of refugee resettlement.         Background Information:Population in 2014: 62, 479 (98% Urban, 2% Rural)Estimated per capita income in 2013: $20,116Median House or Condo Value: $131,667Median Gross Rent (2013): $667Racial Breakdown: White: 72.4% (43,709) Black alone: 15.2% (9,175) Hispanic: 6% (3,974) Asian alone: 3.7% (2,204) Two or more races: 2.0% (1,193) American Indian alone: 0.4% (84) Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone: 0.02% (12) Other Race alone: 0.01% (8) Land Area: 35.4 square milesPopulation Density: 1,765 per square mile (low)FBP: 10.8% (State Average: 3.4%)Unemployment Rate (September 2015): 3.8% (State Average: 4.6%)Most Common Industries: Manufacturing: 19% Retail Trade: 16% Accommodation and Food Services: 11% Educational Services: 11% Local Agency Responsible for Settlement of Refugees: International Center of Kentucky (Bowling Green, KY, 42101)Director: Albert MbanfuCase Manager: Manita TamangAbout: The International Center operates as a Matching Grant Program from the KOR. Started in 1981 by Marty Deputy, this organization has helped to resettle over 10,000 refugees, victims of human trafficking, asylees, parolees, and others with similar status, as well as other immigrants from thirty countries around the globe. Working closely with the Department of State and the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, the International Center, The International Center of Kentucky works to assist new arrivals in assimilating and integrating into their new communities through offering employment, educational, housing, and language programs. Some Services Include: Airport Pick-up Food, clothing, and safe housing upon arrival Employment services + Registration for Social Security Cards Enrollment of children into schools Enrollment of adults in ELL courses Community and cultural orientation Interpretation and transportation assistance Assistance in reaching self-sufficiency within 180 days Country of Origin #Settled 2002-2015 Azerbaijan 40 Bhutan 158 Bosnia & Herzegovina 90 Burma 1,777 Burundi 123 Columbia 25 Cuba 197 Dem. Rep. of Congo 124 Iraq 411 Ivory Coast 6 Liberia 81 Pakistan 8 Russia 171 Rwanda 8 Serbia 24 Somalia 247 Ukraine 1 Vietnam 43 Total 3,534 Secondary Organizations: The Center for Development, Acculturation & Resolution Services [CEDARS] through Holy Spirit Catholic Church (Targeted Assistance Grant Program of KOR) Bowling Green, KY 42104 (Parish)Leadership: Jennifer Bell, Founder & DirectorWhat They Do: Drivers’ education classes Group Counseling Life-skill education Cultural and Civic Development Community integration services involving advocacy and cultural awareness to bridge cultural gaps within the community Community Action of Southern Kentucky [CASOKY] (Targeted Assistance Grant Program of KOR)Bowling Green, KY 42101 (Education and Human Service Building)Leadership: Melissa Weaver, CEO/Executive DirectorWhat They Do: Provide employment and training services for eligible refugees placed in the US with 5 years Intended to match participating refugee with employment that matches their skills and assets Job preparations workshops Financial assistance for transportation, vocational training, and other employment-related expenses WKU ALIVE Center (Targeted Assistance Grant Program of KOR)Bowling Green, KY 42101Leadership: Leah Ashwill, DirectorWhat They Do: Facilitate collaborative efforts addressing local, regional, and global issues through building campus and community partnerships Refugee Craft Cooperative (with CEDARS): Work with local Bowling Green refugee community organizations and artisans to foster alternative opportunities to generate income for refugee families. This program also works to build community relationships and value folk art traditions of refugee communities. Cross-Cultural Transitions: Burmese Refugees in America (with Holy Spirit Catholic Church and International Center): Gain in-sight into the real life experience refugees who have arrived from what was formerly recognized as Burma. Multicultural Service-Learning with Immigrant and Refugee Families (with International Center, CEDARS and other community organizations: Aided a cultural diversity service-learning course working with refugee populations in Bowling Green Food for All Community GardenBowling Green, KY 42104 (Holy Apostles Orthodox Church)What They Do: A non-profit collaboration between HOTEL INC and Holy Apostles Orthodox Mission Utilize a half-acre space to provide fresh produce for HOTEL INC’s food pantry and for the Refugee CSA organized by the Community Farmers Market Also offer cooking and gardening classes Newspaper Articles: “Immigration Population Swells” Written by Laurel Wilson: lwilson@bgdailynews.comJune 15, 2014Discusses how the large of number of refugees in Bowling Green is affecting the community, and how community organizations have worked to help these populations. Also includes quotes from Albert Mbanfu, CEO of the International Center, on how refugees are integrating into the community and the benefits it has for all citizens and the city’s economy.http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/immigrant-population-swells/article_7fd05858-de1b-5101-aa69-32a1655a1e67.html “Groups decide to resettle 40 Syrians in Bowling Green”Written by Aaron MuddApril 20, 2016Discusses the debate in Bowling Green surrounding the proposed settlement of 40 Syrian refugees in the coming October. The article touches on fears of community members regarding the refugee screening process, and also advocates for why Bowling Green should be accepting Syrians into their community.http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/groups-decide-to-resettle-syrians-in-bowling-green/article_32b6b818-7857-5afc-8341-8017f306b28b.html “Bowling Green's refugees celebrate community”Written by Aaron MuddJune 25, 2016Brief article discussing the community’s celebration of World Refugee Day.http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/bowling-green-s-refugees-celebrate-community/article_0f634652-7633-543b-9549-e26f492493fb.html “Bowling Green, KY and The Nascent Stages of Religious Diversity”Written by N.A., The Pluralism Project- Harvard UniversityExplores the state of growing religious diversity in Bowling Green as a result of the influx of refugees and migrants in an area historically defined by a heavy presence of Christianity.http://pluralism.org/research-report/bowling-green-ky-and-the-nascent-stages-of-religious-diversity/ “Proposal could allow up to 40 Syrian refugees into Bowling Green”Written by Whitney DavisApril 21, 2016Discusses the lack of consensus on the new proposal to accept around 40 Syrian refugees, with reasons against claiming an inefficient screening process for Syrians entering the country.http://www.wbko.com/content/news/Proposal-could-allow-up-to-40-Syrian-refugees-into-Bowling-Green-376610701.html “Bowling Green's Muslim community growing, changing”Written by Jenna MinkJune 30, 2012Tells the story of a new Mosque opened by the Bosnian community in Bowling Green, as well as discussing some of the cultural differences between the Bosnian Mosque and the local Islamic center. The article also touches on some of the positive and negative aspects of the new mosque opening.http://www.kentucky.com/living/religion/article44366508.html