REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE: Form 990EZ, tax year 2018
View the entire original 990 at ProPublica ↗
- Organization
- REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE (EIN 90-0652201)
- Tax period
- 2018-01-01 to 2018-12-31
- Filed
- 2019-11-11
- IRS object ID
- 201943159349200739
- Schema version
- 2018v3.1
- Source
- Download XML · Original 990 at ProPublica
Every field in the e-filed return. Faint text is the IRS element name, for citing.
Return header ReturnHeader
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Return | 2019-11-11T12:35:20-06:00 | ReturnTs |
| Tax Period End | 2018-12-31 | TaxPeriodEndDt |
Preparer Firm PreparerFirmGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Preparer Firm EIN | 352191732 | PreparerFirmEIN |
Preparer Firm Name PreparerFirmName
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Line1 | LORI A PIERSON CPA | BusinessNameLine1Txt |
Preparer US Address PreparerUSAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | PO BOX 6466 | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | SPOKANE | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | WA | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 992170908 | ZIPCd |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Return Type | 990EZ | ReturnTypeCd |
| Tax Period Begin | 2018-01-01 | TaxPeriodBeginDt |
Filer Filer
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| EIN | 900652201 | EIN |
Business Name BusinessName
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Line1 | REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE | BusinessNameLine1Txt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Name Control | REFU | BusinessNameControlTxt |
US Address USAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | 35 W MAIN AVE STE 205 | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | SPOKANE | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | WA | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 992015119 | ZIPCd |
Business Officer BusinessOfficerGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Person | KEN ISSERLIS | PersonNm |
| Person Title | BOARD MEMBER | PersonTitleTxt |
| Phone | 5092092384 | PhoneNum |
| Signature | 2019-11-08 | SignatureDt |
| Discuss With Paid Preparer | Yes (true) | DiscussWithPaidPreparerInd |
Preparer Person PreparerPersonGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Preparer Person | LORI A PIERSON | PreparerPersonNm |
| PTIN | P00358786 | PTIN |
| Phone | 5094650762 | PhoneNum |
| Preparation | 2019-11-11 | PreparationDt |
| Self Employed | Yes (X) | SelfEmployedInd |
Filing Security Information FilingSecurityInformation
IP Address IPAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| I Pv4 Address | 72.168.160.97 | IPv4AddressTxt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| IP | 2019-11-11 | IPDt |
| IP Tm | 12:35:20 | IPTm |
| IP Timezone | CS | IPTimezoneCd |
| Filing License Type | P | FilingLicenseTypeCd |
| At Submission Creation Device Id | FDF6AF207770CE4F85BAF4076E09FE7D834F76E0 | AtSubmissionCreationDeviceId |
| At Submission Filing Device Id | FDF6AF207770CE4F85BAF4076E09FE7D834F76E0 | AtSubmissionFilingDeviceId |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Tax | 2018 | TaxYr |
| Build TS | 2020-01-14 16:20:31Z | BuildTS |
Form 990-EZ IRS990EZ
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Method Of Accounting Cash | Yes (X) | MethodOfAccountingCashInd |
| Website Address | WWW.REFUGEECONNECTIONSSPOKANE.ORG | WebsiteAddressTxt |
| Organization501c3 | Yes (X) | Organization501c3Ind |
| Type Of Organization Corp | Yes (X) | TypeOfOrganizationCorpInd |
| Gross Receipts | $82,832 | GrossReceiptsAmt |
| Info In Schedule O Part I | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartIInd |
| Contributions Gifts Grants Etc | $82,823 | ContributionsGiftsGrantsEtcAmt |
| Investment Income | $9 | InvestmentIncomeAmt |
| Total Revenue | $82,832 | TotalRevenueAmt |
| Salaries Other Comp Empl Bnft | $42,101 | SalariesOtherCompEmplBnftAmt |
| Fees And Other Pymt To Ind Cntrct | $6,802 | FeesAndOtherPymtToIndCntrctAmt |
| Occupancy Rent Utlts And Maint | $8,015 | OccupancyRentUtltsAndMaintAmt |
| Printing Publications Postage | $1,290 | PrintingPublicationsPostageAmt |
| Other Expenses Total | $13,302 | OtherExpensesTotalAmt |
| Total Expenses | $71,510 | TotalExpensesAmt |
| Excess Or Deficit For Year | $11,322 | ExcessOrDeficitForYearAmt |
| Net Assets Or Fund Balances BOY | $20,810 | NetAssetsOrFundBalancesBOYAmt |
| Net Assets Or Fund Balances EOY | $32,132 | NetAssetsOrFundBalancesEOYAmt |
| Info In Schedule O Part II | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartIIInd |
Cash Savings And Investments CashSavingsAndInvestmentsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $19,332 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $31,572 | EOYAmt |
Other Assets Total Detail OtherAssetsTotalDetail
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $2,428 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $1,466 | EOYAmt |
Form990 Total Assets Form990TotalAssetsGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $21,760 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $33,038 | EOYAmt |
Sum Of Total Liabilities SumOfTotalLiabilitiesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $950 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $906 | EOYAmt |
Net Assets Or Fund Balances NetAssetsOrFundBalancesGrp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| BOY | $20,810 | BOYAmt |
| EOY | $32,132 | EOYAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Info In Schedule O Part III | Yes (X) | InfoInScheduleOPartIIIInd |
| Primary Exempt Purpose | REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE (RCS) IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH WORKS TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS BARRIERS TO THE SUCCESSFUL RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IN THE SPOKANE AREA. RCS ALSO STRIVES TO INCREASE AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, AND APPRECIATION OF THE CULTURES AND TRADITIONS, RESETTLEMENT EXPERIENCES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS. THIS MEANS WE WORK WITH REFUGEE COMMUNITIES AND OTHER REFUGEE SERVICE PROVIDERS TO DEVELOP PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, AND RESOURCES WHICH BENEFIT REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IN THE SPOKANE AREA. | PrimaryExemptPurposeTxt |
Program Srvc Accomplishment ProgramSrvcAccomplishmentGrp (3 entries)
| Description Program Srvc AccomDescriptionProgramSrvcAccomTxt | Program Service ExpensesProgramServiceExpensesAmt |
|---|---|
| REFUGEE ELDER OUTREACH AND TITLE V PROGRAM THIS PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO THE UNITED STATES LATER IN LIFE. IN ADDITION TO ENSURING THAT ELDERS ARE INCLUDED IN OTHER RCS PROJECTS, RCS COORDINATES ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT ELDERS. THESE INCLUDE: BASIC ESL CLASSES; CIVIC-ORIENTED "SETTLING INTO SPOKANE" FIELD TRIPS; TRAINING IN THE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION; NUTRITION EDUCATION; AND PARTICIPATION IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN. REFUGEE ELDER/IMMIGRANT SENIOR OUTREACH CONNECTS CLIENTS WITH ESL CLASSES, SENIOR SERVICE WORKSHOPS, CIVIC AND CULTURAL FIELD TRIPS, CITIZENSHIP CLASSES AND ELDER GROUPS WITH ART AND MUSIC AND FOOD. WE FOCUS ON HOLISTIC HEALTH, WITH THE GOAL TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO BECOME CITIZENS. | $16,143 |
| WORLD REFUGEE DAY REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE (RCS) TAKES THE LEAD IN COORDINATING WITH NEARLY 12 OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST A COMMUNITY-WIDE CELEBRATION OF LOCAL REFUGEES FOR THE ANNUAL UNITED NATIONS WORLD REFUGEE DAY. WORLD REFUGEE DAY CELEBRATION HAS INCREASED ITS PARTICIPATION, GATHERING 700 ATTENDEES WITH A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES, AWARDS CEREMONY, INTERNATIONAL FOOD, CULTURAL MARKETPLACE, AND COMMUNITY AGENCY FAIR TO RAISE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION ABOUT REFUGEES IMPACT IN SPOKANE. | $11,177 |
| AMERICAN LAW AND JUSTICE WORKSHOP AMERICAN LAW & JUSTICE WORKSHOP ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS TO UNDERSTAND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES. WE ARE RENEWING THIS PROGRAM WITH PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND CHURCHES. LAW AND JUSTICE WORKSHOP EVENTS ARE DEDICATED TO: 1) FOSTERING A POSITIVE VIEW OF THE U.S. LEGAL SYSTEM, GIVEN THAT MANY REFUGEES COME FROM PLACES WHERE AUTHORITY IS A SYMBOL OF THREAT; 2) EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HOW IT FUNCTIONS; 3) IDENTIFYING KEY CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES; AND 4) PROVIDING INFORMATION - IN WRITING - TO EACH PARTICIPANT ABOUT WHERE TO SEEK HELP IN PROTECTING THOSE RIGHTS. RCS HAS COLLABORATED WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PRESENT THREE WORKSHOPS SINCE 2013. POLICE POTLUCK RCS COORDINATES WITH THE SPOKANE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO BRING OFFICERS TOGETHER WITH REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES FOR AN INFORMAL MEAL. THESE GATHERINGS PROMOTE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN SPD OFFICERS AND THE REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. TRANSLATOR/INTERPRETER COURSE TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLATORS, RCS HAS COLLABORATED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO RE-ESTABLISH REGULAR LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION TESTING IN EASTERN WASHINGTON, AND TO PREPARE BILINGUAL REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS FOR THIS TEST. THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY, THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT AND SOCIAL HEALTH SERVICES (DSHS) NOW OFFERS REGULAR LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION TESTING IN EASTERN WASHINGTON. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE WORKED WITH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO PRESENT A COURSE TO PREPARE BILINGUAL REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS TO TAKE THIS TEST. THIS MEANS MORE INTERPRETERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO HELP THOSE REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS. PATIENT PASSPORTS PATIENT PASSPORTS, IN 10 LANGUAGES INCLUDING ENGLISH, CONTAIN REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CONTACT INFORMATION, MEDICAL PROVIDERS, MEDICATIONS, ALLERGIES, AND OTHER INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PATIENT VISITS TO CLINICS, HOSPITALS, AND EMERGENCY ROOMS. WSU MEDICAL SCHOOL PHARMACY STUDENTS HELP WITH OUTREACH AND DISTRIBUTION. PATIENT PASSPORTS HELP PEOPLE WITH LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO ENHANCE THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE MAKE THIS RESOURCE AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. REFUGEE KIDS CONNECT REFUGEE KIDS CONNECT MENTORS REFUGEE/IMMIGRANT YOUTH IN APARTMENT COMPLEXES THROUGH OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, GAMES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, STEM CHALLENGES, HOMEWORK HELP AND LIFESKILLS WORKSHOPS. OUR PILOT IS SUCCESSFULLY BRANCHING OUT TO 4 ADDITIONAL SITES. REFUGEE HARVEST REFUGEES' HARVEST MOBILIZES REFUGEES TO GLEAN PRODUCE DONATED FROM SPOKANE NEIGHBORS AND FARMERS DISTRIBUTING IT BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. RCS RELIED HEAVILY ON THE MANY VOLUNTEERS FOR MANY FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION. THERE ARE ABOUT 100 VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT. AS A YOUNG ORGANIZATION, VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE ORGANIZATION CARRYING OUT THE ORGANATIONS PROGRAMS. | $11,682 |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Program Service Expenses | $39,002 | TotalProgramServiceExpensesAmt |
Officer Director Trustee Empl OfficerDirectorTrusteeEmplGrp (9 entries)
| TitleTitleTxt | Average Hrs Per Wk Devoted To PosAverageHrsPerWkDevotedToPosRt | CompensationCompensationAmt |
|---|---|---|
| TARIG ZAKI | ||
| BOARD MEMBER | 1.00 | $0 |
| MARIA HERNANDEZ-PECK | ||
| BOARD MEMBER | 1.00 | $0 |
| EVELYNE ELLO-HART | ||
| BOARD MEMBER | 1.00 | $0 |
| KEN ISSERLIS | ||
| BOARD MEMBER | 1.00 | $0 |
| AMINA ABDUL-FIELDS JD | ||
| BOARD CHAIR | 1.00 | $0 |
| MARY ANNE STUCKART | ||
| BOARD MEMBER | 1.00 | $0 |
| ROSEMARY MURIUNGI | ||
| BOARD MEMBER | 1.00 | $0 |
| MARIJKE FAKASIIEIKI | ||
| EXECUTIVE DI | 35.00 | $25,000 |
| SHARON BOWLAND | ||
| BOARD MEMBER | 1.00 | $0 |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Activities Not Previously Rpt | false | ActivitiesNotPreviouslyRptInd |
| Chg Made To Orgnzng Doc Not Rpt | false | ChgMadeToOrgnzngDocNotRptInd |
| Organization Had UBI | false | OrganizationHadUBIInd |
| Subject To Proxy Tax | false | SubjectToProxyTaxInd |
| Organization Dissolved Etc | false | OrganizationDissolvedEtcInd |
| Form1120 Pol Filed | false | Form1120PolFiledInd |
| Made Loans To From Officers | false | MadeLoansToFromOfficersInd |
| Engaged In Excess Benefit Trans | false | EngagedInExcessBenefitTransInd |
| Prohibited Tax Shelter Trans | false | ProhibitedTaxShelterTransInd |
Books In Care Of Detail BooksInCareOfDetail
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Person | MARIJKE FAKASIIEIKI | PersonNm |
US Address USAddress
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Address Line1 | 35 W MAIN AVE STE 205 | AddressLine1Txt |
| City | SPOKANE | CityNm |
| State Abbreviation | WA | StateAbbreviationCd |
| ZIP | 99201 | ZIPCd |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 5092092384 | PhoneNum |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign Financial Account | false | ForeignFinancialAccountInd |
| Foreign Office | false | ForeignOfficeInd |
| Donor Advised Fnds | false | DonorAdvisedFndsInd |
| Operate Hospital | false | OperateHospitalInd |
| Tanning Services Provided | false | TanningServicesProvidedInd |
| Related Organization Ctrl Ent | false | RelatedOrganizationCtrlEntInd |
| Transaction With Control Ent | false | TransactionWithControlEntInd |
| Political Campaign Acty | false | PoliticalCampaignActyInd |
| Lobbying Activities | false | LobbyingActivitiesInd |
| School Operating | false | SchoolOperatingInd |
| Trnsfr Exmpt Non Chrtbl Rltd Org | false | TrnsfrExmptNonChrtblRltdOrgInd |
| Part VI Of Comp Of Hghst Pd Empl | NONE | PartVIOfCompOfHghstPdEmplTxt |
| Part VI Hghst Pd Cntrct Prof Srvc | NONE | PartVIHghstPdCntrctProfSrvcTxt |
| Filed Schedule A | Yes (true) | FiledScheduleAInd |
Schedule A IRS990ScheduleA
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Organization170 | Yes (X) | PublicOrganization170Ind |
Gifts Grants Contri Rcvd170 GiftsGrantsContriRcvd170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $38,136 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $51,554 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $48,619 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $83,238 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $82,823 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $304,370 | TotalAmt |
Total Calendar Year170 TotalCalendarYear170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus4 Years | $38,136 | CurrentTaxYearMinus4YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus3 Years | $51,554 | CurrentTaxYearMinus3YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $48,619 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $83,238 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $82,823 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $304,370 | TotalAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Support Total170 | $304,370 | PublicSupportTotal170Amt |
Gross Investment Income170 GrossInvestmentIncome170Grp
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Current Tax Year Minus2 Years | $2 | CurrentTaxYearMinus2YearsAmt |
| Current Tax Year Minus1 Year | $5 | CurrentTaxYearMinus1YearAmt |
| Current Tax Year | $9 | CurrentTaxYearAmt |
| Total | $16 | TotalAmt |
| Field | Value | IRS element (for citing) |
|---|---|---|
| Total Support | $304,386 | TotalSupportAmt |
| Gross Receipts Rltd Activities | $9,809 | GrossReceiptsRltdActivitiesAmt |
| Public Support CY170 | 0.99990 | PublicSupportCY170Pct |
| Public Support PY170 | 1.00000 | PublicSupportPY170Pct |
| Thirty Thr Pct Suprt Tests CY170 | Yes (X) | ThirtyThrPctSuprtTestsCY170Ind |
Schedule B IRS990ScheduleB
Schedule O IRS990ScheduleO
Supplemental Information Detail SupplementalInformationDetail (7 entries)
| Form And Line ReferenceFormAndLineReferenceDesc | ExplanationExplanationTxt |
|---|---|
| FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16 | EXPENSES ADVERTISING 233 SUPPLIES 448 WRD SUPPLIES 2,501 TRAVEL 920 CONFERENCE AND MEETINGS 87 INSURANCE 1,123 AUTO INSURANCE 2,828 WRD INSURANCE 392 BUSINESS REGISTRATION/LIC 10 MEALS/MEETING EXPENSES 140 BANK, CC PROCESS CHARGES 22 VEHICLE EXPENSES 608 REFUGEE ACTIVITY FEES 264 WRD OTHER PROGRAM EXP 300 TAXES, LICENSES, PERMITS 421 EQUIPMENT RENTAL, R&M 1,869 GIFTS AND GOODWILL 175 NON-INVESTMENT DEPRECIATION 961 TOTAL 13,302 |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 24 | FURNITURE & EQUIPMENT 1,657 1,657 LESS ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION 1,229 1,391 VEHICLE 5,000 5,000 LESS ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION 3,000 3,800 TOTAL 2,428 1,466 |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 26 | ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES 950 906 |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART III | REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE (RCS) IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION WHICH WORKS TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS BARRIERS TO THE SUCCESSFUL RESETTLEMENT OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IN THE SPOKANE AREA. RCS ALSO STRIVES TO INCREASE AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, AND APPRECIATION OF THE CULTURES AND TRADITIONS, RESETTLEMENT EXPERIENCES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS. THIS MEANS WE WORK WITH REFUGEE COMMUNITIES AND OTHER REFUGEE SERVICE PROVIDERS TO DEVELOP PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, AND RESOURCES WHICH BENEFIT REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS IN THE SPOKANE AREA. |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 28 | REFUGEE ELDER OUTREACH AND TITLE V PROGRAM THIS PROGRAM IS DEDICATED TO THE EMPOWERMENT OF REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS WHO CAME TO THE UNITED STATES LATER IN LIFE. IN ADDITION TO ENSURING THAT ELDERS ARE INCLUDED IN OTHER RCS PROJECTS, RCS COORDINATES ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS SPECIFICALLY TAILORED FOR REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT ELDERS. THESE INCLUDE: BASIC ESL CLASSES; CIVIC-ORIENTED "SETTLING INTO SPOKANE" FIELD TRIPS; TRAINING IN THE USE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION; NUTRITION EDUCATION; AND PARTICIPATION IN A COMMUNITY GARDEN. REFUGEE ELDER/IMMIGRANT SENIOR OUTREACH CONNECTS CLIENTS WITH ESL CLASSES, SENIOR SERVICE WORKSHOPS, CIVIC AND CULTURAL FIELD TRIPS, CITIZENSHIP CLASSES AND ELDER GROUPS WITH ART AND MUSIC AND FOOD. WE FOCUS ON HOLISTIC HEALTH, WITH THE GOAL TO ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO BECOME CITIZENS. |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 29 | WORLD REFUGEE DAY REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE (RCS) TAKES THE LEAD IN COORDINATING WITH NEARLY 12 OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO HOST A COMMUNITY-WIDE CELEBRATION OF LOCAL REFUGEES FOR THE ANNUAL UNITED NATIONS WORLD REFUGEE DAY. WORLD REFUGEE DAY CELEBRATION HAS INCREASED ITS PARTICIPATION, GATHERING 700 ATTENDEES WITH A NATURALIZATION CEREMONY, CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES, INTERNATIONAL PERFORMANCES, AWARDS CEREMONY, INTERNATIONAL FOOD, CULTURAL MARKETPLACE, AND COMMUNITY AGENCY FAIR TO RAISE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION ABOUT REFUGEES IMPACT IN SPOKANE. |
| FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 31 | AMERICAN LAW AND JUSTICE WORKSHOP AMERICAN LAW & JUSTICE WORKSHOP ADDRESSES THE NEED FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS TO UNDERSTAND CIVIC RESPONSIBILITIES. WE ARE RENEWING THIS PROGRAM WITH PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND CHURCHES. LAW AND JUSTICE WORKSHOP EVENTS ARE DEDICATED TO: 1) FOSTERING A POSITIVE VIEW OF THE U.S. LEGAL SYSTEM, GIVEN THAT MANY REFUGEES COME FROM PLACES WHERE AUTHORITY IS A SYMBOL OF THREAT; 2) EXPLAINING THE PURPOSE OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND HOW IT FUNCTIONS; 3) IDENTIFYING KEY CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES; AND 4) PROVIDING INFORMATION - IN WRITING - TO EACH PARTICIPANT ABOUT WHERE TO SEEK HELP IN PROTECTING THOSE RIGHTS. RCS HAS COLLABORATED WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PRESENT THREE WORKSHOPS SINCE 2013. POLICE POTLUCK RCS COORDINATES WITH THE SPOKANE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO BRING OFFICERS TOGETHER WITH REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES FOR AN INFORMAL MEAL. THESE GATHERINGS PROMOTE POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN SPD OFFICERS AND THE REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. TRANSLATOR/INTERPRETER COURSE TO INCREASE THE AVAILABILITY OF CERTIFIED LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS AND TRANSLATORS, RCS HAS COLLABORATED WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO RE-ESTABLISH REGULAR LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION TESTING IN EASTERN WASHINGTON, AND TO PREPARE BILINGUAL REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS FOR THIS TEST. THROUGH OUR ADVOCACY, THE WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT AND SOCIAL HEALTH SERVICES (DSHS) NOW OFFERS REGULAR LANGUAGE CERTIFICATION TESTING IN EASTERN WASHINGTON. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE WORKED WITH COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS TO PRESENT A COURSE TO PREPARE BILINGUAL REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS TO TAKE THIS TEST. THIS MEANS MORE INTERPRETERS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO HELP THOSE REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS. PATIENT PASSPORTS PATIENT PASSPORTS, IN 10 LANGUAGES INCLUDING ENGLISH, CONTAIN REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT CONTACT INFORMATION, MEDICAL PROVIDERS, MEDICATIONS, ALLERGIES, AND OTHER INFORMATION NEEDED FOR PATIENT VISITS TO CLINICS, HOSPITALS, AND EMERGENCY ROOMS. WSU MEDICAL SCHOOL PHARMACY STUDENTS HELP WITH OUTREACH AND DISTRIBUTION. PATIENT PASSPORTS HELP PEOPLE WITH LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS TO COMMUNICATE WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS TO ENHANCE THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING. WE MAKE THIS RESOURCE AVAILABLE NATIONWIDE. REFUGEE KIDS CONNECT REFUGEE KIDS CONNECT MENTORS REFUGEE/IMMIGRANT YOUTH IN APARTMENT COMPLEXES THROUGH OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES, GAMES, ARTS AND CRAFTS, STEM CHALLENGES, HOMEWORK HELP AND LIFESKILLS WORKSHOPS. OUR PILOT IS SUCCESSFULLY BRANCHING OUT TO 4 ADDITIONAL SITES. REFUGEE HARVEST REFUGEES' HARVEST MOBILIZES REFUGEES TO GLEAN PRODUCE DONATED FROM SPOKANE NEIGHBORS AND FARMERS DISTRIBUTING IT BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. RCS RELIED HEAVILY ON THE MANY VOLUNTEERS FOR MANY FUNCTIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION. THERE ARE ABOUT 100 VOLUNTEERS WHO PROVIDE SUPPORT. AS A YOUNG ORGANIZATION, VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL TO THE ORGANIZATION CARRYING OUT THE ORGANATIONS PROGRAMS. |