Introdiction to the Project

September 5, 2005

To Whom It May Concern:
We are pleased to inform you that the Nationalities Services Center has received a grant from Office of Refugee Resettlement to launch the Meskhetian Turk Social Adjustment and Community Building Collaborative Project.
NSC plans to support and encourage development of the existing ethnic community leadership in hopes of creating an ethnic community based organization. Activities will aim to foster civic participation and encourage civic engagement: given the ethnic community’s desire to feel a sense of belonging after being denied this in Russia.

We are also planning to implement a series of community orientation sessions to meet the information needs of the ethnic community’s elders and adults, young adults, and youth. Within the activities of the project NSC will provide technical assistance and support to members of the refugee community, resettlement agencies, social service providers, the general community and the State Refugee Coordinator where needed.

NSC’s dedicated project coordinator, a Meskhetian Turk social worker, Leyla Dursunova, will provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services and technical assistance. The assistance will be provided through the telephone line, by email, and in person. Turkish American Multicultural Family Services is a subcontractor in the project, and Savas Can will be involved in leadership development activities in the project.

We are looking forward for a rewarding collaborative initiative to provide improvement of services for the resettlement agencies working with Meskhetian Turks. Please contact Leyla Dursunova should you have any further questions about the project.

Sincerely,
Juliane Ramic
Director of Social Services