2017-09-18T12:28:54-07:00 2016-12-31 352191732 LORI A PIERSON CPA PO BOX 6466 SPOKANE WA 992170908 990EZ 2016-01-01 900652201 REFUGEE CONNECTIONS SPOKANE REFU COMMUNITY BUILDING W 35 MAIN 205 SPOKANE WA 99201 AMINA ABDUL-FIELDS JD BOARD MEMBER 5092092384 2017-09-14 true LORI A PIERSON P00358786 5094650762 2017-09-18 X FDF6AF207770CE4F85BAF4076E09FE7D834F76E0 FDF6AF207770CE4F85BAF4076E09FE7D834F76E0 2016 2021-01-29 14:40:06Z X WWW.REFUGEECONNECTIONSSPOKANE.ORG X X 52283 X 48619 2 3662 4676 -1014 47607 39929 3625 6929 163 6076 56722 -9115 20286 11171 X 19842 13378 525 645 20367 14023 81 2852 20286 11171 X 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. 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. 30259 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. THE EVENT INCLUDES TRADITIONAL FOODS, HAND-MADE CRAFTS, CUSTOMARY DANCES, AND A CITIZENSHIP SWEARING IN CEREMONY. HARVEST PROJECT THE HARVEST PROJECT CONNECTS REFUGEES WITH DONOR FARMS AND GARDENS TO HARVEST FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT REFUGEES THEN DISTRIBUTE FREE OF CHARGE IN A LOW-INCOME SPOKANE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE PROJECT WAS INSPIRED BY A FORMER REFUGEE WHO SOUGHT A WAY FOR REFUGEES TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS OFFERED THEM A SAFE HOME. IT HAS HELPED TO PROVIDE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND FREE HEALTHY PRODUCE TO REFUGEES, IMMIGRANTS, AND LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS SINCE 2011. AMERICAN LAW AND JUSTICE WORKSHOP THIS EVENT IS 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 RCS CREATED AND NOW DISTRIBUTES HEALTH-RECORD BOOKLETS FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS TO BRING WITH THEM TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND DOCTORS' OFFICES. EACH BOOKLET IS IN ENGLISH AND ONE OF NINE DIFFERENT TRANSLATED LANGUAGES. 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. 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. 30259 FRANCIS ADEWALE CHAIR 2.00 0 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 ANNA BONDARENKO EXEC DIR, IN 40.00 24750 AMINA ABDUL-FIELDS JD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 0 MARY ANNE STUCKART BOARD MEMBER 1.00 0 ROSEMARY MURIUNGI BOARD MEMBER 1.00 0 MEGAN BALLARD BOARD MEMBER 1.00 0 false false false false false false false false false ANNA BONDARENKO 35 W MAIN AVE STE 205 SPOKANE WA 99201 5092092384 false false false false false false false false false false false NONE NONE true X 10625 42716 38136 51554 48619 191650 10625 42716 38136 51554 48619 191650 191650 2 2 191652 3662 1.00000 1.00000 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED FORM 990-EZ, PART I, LINE 16 EXPENSES SUPPLIES 1,954 INSURANCE 2,137 EQUIPMENT RENTAL, MAINT 381 BUSINESS REGISTRATION/LIC 128 MEALS/MEETING EXPENSES 241 BANK CHARGES 25 TRAVEL 171 OTHER COSTS 42 PROGRAM REFUGEE SUPPORT 509 NON-INVESTMENT DEPRECIATION 488 TOTAL 6,076 FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 24 FURNITURE & EQUIPMENT 1,049 1,658 LESS ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION 524 1,013 TOTAL 525 645 FORM 990-EZ, PART II, LINE 26 ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES 81 852 UNSECURED NOTES AND LOANS PAYABLE 0 2,000 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. 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. THE EVENT INCLUDES TRADITIONAL FOODS, HAND-MADE CRAFTS, CUSTOMARY DANCES, AND A CITIZENSHIP SWEARING IN CEREMONY. FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 30 HARVEST PROJECT THE HARVEST PROJECT CONNECTS REFUGEES WITH DONOR FARMS AND GARDENS TO HARVEST FRUITS AND VEGETABLES THAT REFUGEES THEN DISTRIBUTE FREE OF CHARGE IN A LOW-INCOME SPOKANE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE PROJECT WAS INSPIRED BY A FORMER REFUGEE WHO SOUGHT A WAY FOR REFUGEES TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS OFFERED THEM A SAFE HOME. IT HAS HELPED TO PROVIDE SOCIAL CONNECTIONS AND FREE HEALTHY PRODUCE TO REFUGEES, IMMIGRANTS, AND LOW-INCOME NEIGHBORHOOD RESIDENTS SINCE 2011. FORM 990-EZ, PART III, LINE 31 AMERICAN LAW AND JUSTICE WORKSHOP THIS EVENT IS 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 RCS CREATED AND NOW DISTRIBUTES HEALTH-RECORD BOOKLETS FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS TO BRING WITH THEM TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND DOCTORS' OFFICES. EACH BOOKLET IS IN ENGLISH AND ONE OF NINE DIFFERENT TRANSLATED LANGUAGES. 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. 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.