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# Bridge Refugees

East Tennessees's only refugees and international protected class resettlement agency

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Pages

- [Home](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/)
- [Knoxville Based Staff](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/knoxville-branch-staff/) - Noah McBrayer Jones, CFRE is an original native of Knoxville, TN. He attended Appalachian State University in Boone, NC (receiving his BA) and Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, VA (receiving both his MLitt and MFA). Since 2005, he has worked professionally in the development, communications, and event management fields with companies such as Clever By
- [Chattanooga Based Staff](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/chattanooga-branch-staff/) - Marina Peshterianu joined Bridge Refugee Services Chattanooga in 1999 transitioning from the career in education. Before joining Bridge, she taught in an inner-city magnet school focusing on environmental and global issues. During her time at Bridge, Marina participated in resettlement of refugees from Vietnam, Bosnia, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Liberia, Sudan, Burundi, Tanzania, Congo, Chad, Somalia,
- [2026 Board of Directors](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/board-of-directors/) - The volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors are Bridge’s strength, lifeline to the community, and our greatest and committed advocates. They are community members from Chattanooga and Knoxville who are passionate about refugee resettlement. The unpaid members meet at regular intervals, usually every two months, and provide fiscal oversight to the organization. They also
- [Job Opportunities](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/job-opportunities/) - Knoxville Openings There are no openings at this branch at this time. Chattanooga Openings There are no openings at this branch at this time.
- [Volunteer](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/volunteer/) - Refugees need you! We couldn't do the life-saving work of client resettlement without the support of people just like you. There are many ways to welcome and serve our refugees and protected class clients through volunteering — from shopping for groceries for new arrivals to transportation to online English tutoring to participating in community connection
- [2025 Board of Directors](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/2025-board-of-directors/) - The volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors are Bridge’s strength, lifeline to the community, and our greatest and committed advocates. They are community members from Chattanooga and Knoxville who are passionate about refugee resettlement. The unpaid members meet at regular intervals, usually every three months, and provide fiscal oversight to the organization. They also
- [2024 Board of Directors](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/2024-board-of-directors/) - The volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors are Bridge’s strength, lifeline to the community, and our greatest and committed advocates. They are community members from Chattanooga and Knoxville who are passionate about refugee resettlement. The unpaid members meet at regular intervals, usually every three months, and provide fiscal oversight to the organization. They also
- [Preserve](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/preserve/) - You've helped to preserve resettlement for the last six months! You've given us time to diversify our offerings for our clients throughout East Tennessee. As we begin Fiscal Year 2026 on October 1, 2025, we are growing our in-house English lessons, workforce development, and cultural orientation. You can continue to donate here!
- [World Refugee Day 2025](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/wrd2025/) - The UNHCR began World Refugee Day in 2001 to recognize those who have made their way to our community after fleeing for their lives, those who remain in camps worldwide, and all those who are forced daily to flee their countries due to persecution. This year, due to rising turmoil, we cannot hold our branch
- [Volunteer GetConnected Login](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/getconnected/)
- [Our Partners](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/our-partners/) - Refugee resettlement is a collective effort among the very largest, most powerful governments and organizations to the very smallest local foundation, church or business. We are grateful for all of these who play a role. National Resettlement Agencies Once refugees have been approved by the various federal agencies for travel, the U.S. State Department's Bureau
- [Annual Reports](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/annual-reports/) - Annual Appeal 2024 Scroll (shrink)Download You may download a PDF of our 2023 Annual Report here. You may download a PDF of our 2021 Annual Report here. You may download a PDF of our 2019-20 Annual Report here. You may download a PDF of our 2018 Annual Report here. You may download a PDF of our 2017 Annual
- [About Us](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/about-us/) - We are a nonprofit agency operating in Knoxville and Chattanooga and committed to providing protection and assistance in forced migrants' inspiring journey. We recognize their plight, their resilience, and their willingness to join our community and make it their own. Become a part of America's proud tradition of welcoming refugees and come join us as
- [Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolee](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/ukraine/) - Under the new regulations allowing the Office of Refugee Resettlement programs to cover certain Ukrainian populations, Bridge is prepared to serve all eligible Ukrainians needing support. All Ukrainians seeking support should make an appointment to bring any documentation they have that demonstrates their status to their respective Bridge office for verification. Bridge staff will copy
- [Employment Program](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/employment-program/) - Our employment program helps assists newcomers admitted to the US as refugees and international protected classes to find employment so that the individual or family may become self-sufficient as soon as possible. We provide placement assistance, interpretation services, post-employment follow-up, referrals to additional employment resources, and job readiness training. What are the benefits to local
- [Events](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/events/)
- [Volunteer Data Landing Page - Chattanooga](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/directorychatt/)
- [Volunteer Data Landing Page - Knoxville](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/directoryknox/)
- [2023 Board of Directors](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/2023-board-of-directors/) - The volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors are Bridge’s strength, lifeline to the community, and our greatest and committed advocates. They are community members from Chattanooga and Knoxville who are passionate about refugee resettlement. The unpaid members meet at regular intervals, usually every three months, and provide fiscal oversight to the organization. They also
- [In-Kind Donations](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/in-kind-donations/) - Bridge Refugees Services is a non-profit organization that appreciates in-kind donations from people like you to help preserve the dignity, hope, and opportunity for people who need it most. Your donations support in-depth and personalized services—a vehicle to self-sufficiency, reduction of government reliance, and community integration. For information regarding in-kind donations, please email Peter Green
- [Our Services](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/services/) - Assistance Programs Bridge Refugee Services assists refugees, humanitarian parolees, asylees, and entrants through orientation and case management to learn how to live in the US, and early employment. Prior to a family's arrival, Case Managers and staff arrange for housing, household items, food, job interviews, etc. to help the family begin making Knoxville or Chattanooga
- [Community Connection](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/community-connection/) - Refugee Resettlement is a Public and Private Partnership! Community Assistance Teams, formerly known as co-sponsorship groups, partner with Bridge Refugee Services to supplement the work that Case Managers do with each refugee individual or family. The Case Manager works closely with the Community Assistance Team to ensure that all needs are met. The Volunteer Manager
- [Sponsor a Family](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/sponsor-a-family/) - Community groups, such as faith-based and non-profit organizations, can form a Community Assistance Team to partner with Bridge to assist with the initial resettlement process in order to help refugees integrate into the their new community. CATs are made up of 10-15 dedicated members who make at least a 3-month commitment to work with an individual
- [2022 Board of Directors](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/2022-board-of-directors/) - The volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors are Bridge’s strength, lifeline to the community, and our greatest and committed advocates. They are community members from Chattanooga and Knoxville who are passionate about refugee resettlement. The unpaid members meet at regular intervals, usually every three months, and provide fiscal oversight to the organization. They also
- [Refugee School Impact Program](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/refugee-school-impact-program/) - Regardless of a refugee family’s origin or circumstances, parents arrive with the dream that their children will succeed in the United States. The Refugee School Impact Program strives to help this dream become a reality for every refugee family. Newly-arrived parents and children receive critical information about what to expect at school and guidance as
- [FAQs](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/faqs/) - Frequently Asked Questions Please see the links below to learn more about refugee resettlement (links will open in a new tab): Questions and Answers about Refugees What is Asylum? How are refugees screened? Information about the US Refugee Admissions Program Why do refugees flee their country? Learn about the conflict in the home countries of many
- [Cultural Orientation (English)](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/orientation/) - Welcome to the Bridge Housing Cultural Orientation Resource Page! On this page, you can find videos about the various types and affordability of housing, the rights and responsibilities of renting an apartment or home, how to take care of your home, how to stay safe while living in your home, and additional information that you
- [Cultural Orientation (Soomaali)](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/hanuuninta/) - Ku Soo Dhawoow Bogga Ilaha Hanuuninta Dhaqanka Guryeynta Buundada! Boggaan, waxaad ka heli kartaa fiidiyowyo ku saabsan noocyada kala duwan iyo awood-siinta guryaha, xuquuqda iyo mas'uuliyadaha kireysiga guri ama guri, sida loo daryeelo gurigaaga, sida aad ugu ilaalin lahayd badbaadada intaad ku nooshahay gurigaaga, iyo macluumaad dheeraad ah oo Waxaa laga yaabaa inaad ku caawiso
- [Cultural Orientation (عربي)](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/اتجاه/) - رحبًا بكم في صفحة موارد التوجيه الثقافي لجسر الإسكان! في هذه الصفحة ، يمكنك العثور على مقاطع فيديو حول الأنوافي هذه الصفحة ، يمكنك العثور على مقاطع فيديو حول الأنواع المختلفة للسكن والقدرة على تحمل تكاليفه ، وحقوق ومسؤوليات استئجار شقة أو منزل ، وكيفية العناية بمنزلك ، وكيفية البقاء آمنًا أثناء العيش في منزلك
- [World Refugee Day 2022](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/wrd2022/) - Knoxville Stay tuned here for more information. Join the Facebook event and spread the word! Do you have goods you would be interested in selling? If you or someone you know would make a good potential vendor for World Refugee Day 2022, please contact njones@bridgerefugees.org for more info. Pizzas generously provided by: Mr. Gatti's PizzaFalafel
- [Bed Campaign](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/bed/) - If you're seeing this, the redirect to Bridge's Bed Campaign failed on the back end. Please click http://weblink.donorperfect.com/bridgebed to go to the DonorPerfect page for this campaign. Contact Noah McBrayer Jones with any questions. Apologies for the confusion!
- [2021 Board of Directors](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/2021-board-of-directors/) - The volunteers who serve on our Board of Directors are Bridge’s strength, lifeline to the community, and our greatest and committed advocates. They are community members from Chattanooga and Knoxville who are passionate about refugee resettlement. The unpaid members meet at regular intervals, usually every three months, and provide fiscal oversight to the organization. They also
- [Annual Appeal 2021](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/opportunity/)
- [Contact Us](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/contact-us/) - We would like to hear from you. Please send us a message by filling out the form below and we will get back with you shortly. Contact Us With which office would you like to speak? * Chattanooga Knoxville Name * Last * Email * Phone How did you hear about us? What is the
- [Volunteer Resources](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/volunteer-resources/) - Volunteer Handbook and Onboarding Cultural Background Resources Youth Mentorship Resources ESL Tutoring
- [World Refugee Day 2021](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/world-refugee-day-2021/) - Chattanooga bakery thrives on refugee connection Refugee & volunteer forge friendship Colombian refugees find home in Chattanooga
- [In the News](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/in-the-news/) - Yassin's Falafel House named 'Nicest Place in America' Oct 11, 2018 The announcement was made Thursday morning by Robin Roberts, host of ABC's "Good Morning America." The network had Yassin's Falafel House owner Yassin Terou in a back room where he was showing staff how to make his popular falafel when Roberts walked in and revealed that
- [Case Management](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/case-management/) - Case managers operate within a wide variety of programs to help clients become self-sufficient. Before our newest Americans arrive case managers work to set up their homes, finding quality low-cost apartments and houses. Our case managers are the first contacts our families meet when they arrive at the airport. Case managers help refugees navigate the
- [Rent to a Refugee](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/rent-to-a-refugee/) - Housing and neighborhood development are serious discussions and relevant issues to every community, but most especially in revitalized and growing communities such as Knoxville and Chattanooga. Renting homes and apartments to refugees is one way to help your community, your business/property, and the refugee community. Refugees and landlords can have mutually beneficial relationships to create
- [Hire a Refugee](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/hire-a-refugee/) - What are the benefits to local employers who hire newcomers admitted as refugees? Applicants are fully authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to work immediately upon entry to the US. Applicants are often eager to begin working. Applicants bring a variety of skills and experience. Applicants are pre-screened to match job openings.
- [Donate](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/donate/) - At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga. Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio.
- [Refugee Stories](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/)

## Stories

- [Persevering Through Struggle](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/shokrullah/) - Shokrullah worried about his family’s safety in their native country. He had worked as an electrician in the US Embassy, and with the ruling party back in power, he was concerned that his service for the Americans put his family at risk. He felt grateful when he, his wife, and their four young sons received
- [With Resilience, Forging a New Future](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/jose/) - Growing up in his home country, Jose’s mother would send him to buy bread, a little gift of independence that sparked his curiosity in the world of baking. When he was just 13, he started working at a bakery, learning the art of making baguettes and pan campesino. He honed his craft for more than
- [Paying It Forward](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/paying-it-forward/) - Victor Gil and his family arrived in Knoxville in September 2024, the end of a years-long journey that saw them fleeing their native Venezuela and finding temporary refuge in Colombia. Safe, with his wife and their 7-year-old daughter, in a hotel room arranged by Bridge Refugee Services while they awaited a permanent place to live,
- [Through Mentorship, Gaining Confidence to Succeed](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/aa2024-dianelis/) - When Dianelis Sosa Miranda arrived in Chattanooga, she had her mother, her older sister, and just a few English words. At her new American high school, so different from the one she left behind in Cuba, she felt overwhelmed. Making the transition even more challenging — she didn’t know what anyone was saying. “If I
- [More than a Mentorship](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/aa2023-mentorship/) - Juan Perdomo Ramirez gained more than a mentor when he enrolled in Bridge Refugee Services’ Youth Mentor Program. He found a friend to support and encourage him through the ups and downs of pursuing his goals as a refugee building a new life in East Tennessee. “I have somebody who cares about me and I
- [Keeping His Eye on the Ball](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/anyersox-alvarez/) - Keeping His Eye on the Ball For as long as he can remember, baseball has been the great passion of Anyersox Sequera Alvarez’s life. “I started playing baseball since I have memory, pretty much since I’m conscious,” Anyersox said through a translator. His parents encouraged his baseball career when he was a child and then
- [A Woman of Determination](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/randa-iteim/) - A Woman of Determination Amid a sea of students graduating from Chattanooga State Community College this spring, Randa Iteim received special recognition, and for good reason. Randa was graduating from Chattanooga State’s pharmacy technician program, but that was far from her only accomplishment. Randa, who is now 38, withstood terrible fear and threats of violence
- [Hopeful Her Story Can Be An Inspiration](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/amani-alkellaney/) - Amani Alkellaney was a freshman in high school when the Iraq War started, sending her family into years of upheaval as they fled their home in Iraq, living temporarily in Jordan and then Syria before eventually making their way to Oak Ridge. Now 34, Amani is a college graduate with a career that has taken
- [Finding a Home in Sevierville](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/svitlana-bielun/) - In the summer of 2023, when Svitlana Bielun and her family arrived in the United States from Ukraine, they made a new home in Sevierville, a small city southeast of Knoxville. After a brief stay in a hotel, Svitlana and her husband, Illia, rented an apartment for themselves and their two young children. They bought
- [Growing Refugees’ Opportunities and Wealth](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/aa2023-grow/) - As a single mom with poor health and limited job prospects, Olive has worried about how she’ll become self-sufficient since arriving in Knoxville as a refugee four years ago. “It’s been hard, but Bridge was helping us for everything that we were going through,” she said. “I really appreciate them.” Thanks to Bridge Refugee Services’
- [Meet some of the women driving refugee resettlement in East Tennessee! (*text changed 20230817)](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/womens-history-month-2022/) - Drocella Mugorewera *Former Executive Director at BRS; honorary delegate from Tennessee and Board Member with the Refugee Congress, the only National nonprofit advocacy organization lead by refugees and asylees promoting the well being, integration and dignity of all refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable migrants in the USA as well as an engaged community member;
- [A former client gives back by continuing her story as an interpreter.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/former-client-now-an-interpreter/) - Mona Alkhodor counts the day she became an interpreter for Bridge Refugee Services among one of three milestones in her refugee resettlement journey that made her shed happy tears. “I came here as a refugee from Iraq in 2009 with my husband and three children,” she said. “We arrived in Chattanooga on September 9, 2009,
- [Bridge Refugee Services’ new Executive Director hopes to cast a wider net when it comes to resettlement in East Tennessee.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/new-ed/) - “I want to see what I can do to streamline processes, make things simpler and better utilize resources so we can impact the most people we can,” said Stephanie Livigni. “For 2023 and beyond, being able to impact as many people as possible and looking at what else we can provide – resettlement services, plus
- [Venezuelan family of six turns to a Bridge Refugee Services Community Assistance Team (CAT) for help and friendship.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/venezuelan-cat/) - As a Venezuelan family of six has adjusted to life in East Tennessee, they’ve turned to a Bridge Refugee Services Community Assistance Team (CAT) for help and friendship. “They help with everything,” said Asdrubal, who resettled in Chattanooga in early June with his wife, Miley, and their four sons: Adrian, 18, Alexander, 15, Axel, 5,
- [Abrahan's Chromebook access helps build new life in America.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/cubans-chattanooga/) - The Chromebook Abrahan received during a digital literacy course is helping him build a new life in America. As one of three Bridge Refugee Services clients from Cuba to participate in the course this summer, Abrahan uses the laptop daily to learn English, translate documents, and email the lawyer helping him apply for asylum. “Here,
- [Increasing numbers of Cubans mean connections and community are crucial.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/cubans-knoxville/) - As the number of Cubans migrating to the United States continues to increase, Bridge Refugee Services has been welcoming those landing in East Tennessee by connecting them to one another and community resources. “Since October, more than 80,000 Cubans have arrived across the US,” said Bridge Case Manager Lydia Tarry. Roughly 60 who made their
- [In Chattanooga, a Summer learning program offers long-term confidence.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/chattanooga-summer-learning/) - Brothers Deng and Ding feel more confident about school this year thanks to the time they spent in a Summer learning program. “I was very happy they attended the summer school because they learned a lot of things like English, writing and reading and got confidence,” said their mother, Achok, who fled civil war in
- [Like many kindergartners, Antoine has big dreams for his future.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/kindergarten-big-dreams/) - “I want to be a doctor when I grow up,” he said. “I also want to be a pilot.” Antoine, 5, took the first steps towards achieving his dreams when he started kindergarten this month. “He was so excited to start school,” said his mother, Ange. Ange, a Congolese refugee who has spent the past
- [From the safety of a friend’s home in Chattanooga, a couple struggles with news of the war raging in their native Ukraine.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/uniting-for-ukraine-chattanooga/) - From the safety of a friend’s home in Chattanooga, Mykhailo and Olena Murza struggle withnews of the war raging in their native Ukraine. “When it’s your home country, it’s really painful,” they said. The couple and their four children, ages 26 to 15, fled their home in Mykolaiv on Feb. 24 – thesame day Russian
- [Generosity from people spanning the globe brings four displaced Ukrainian women and their children safely to Oak Ridge.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/uniting-for-ukraine-knoxville/) - Generosity from old friends, new ones, and strangers spanned the globe to bring four displacedUkrainian women and their children safely to Oak Ridge this past spring. “We met very helpful people all along,” Tetiana “Tania” Alfimova said. Tania and the other women – Mariia “Masha” Rudiuk, Olha “Olya” Kvach, and Olya’s mother,Tamara – are among
- [​Young Client College-Bound Thanks to Youth Mentor Program](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/young-client-college-bound-thanks-to-youth-mentor-program/) - A Bridge Refugee Services youth mentor gave Juan Perdomo Ramirez the confidence he needed to pursue higher education. “She gave me hope,” Juan said.Juan, 23, is one of the refugees in Chattanooga enrolled in Bridge’s Youth Mentoring Program. The program pairs refugees between the ages of 15 and 24 who have been in the U.S.
- [COUPLE REUNITES AFTER SIX YEARS](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/couple-reunites-after-six-years-2/) - When Muhyidin came to Chattanooga in 2016, he made a decision. If his wife couldn’t join him within five years, he would go back home. He had left his country, a newlywed, in 2013 as one of hundreds of thousands fleeing ongoing conflict and ethnic struggle in his home city of Darfur. He and Arafa
- [Bridge Refugee Services statement in support of our new Americans from Ukraine and their families](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/ukraine-statement/) - A tragedy is unfolding in real time, and while the invasion of Ukraine's soil may seem halfway around the world, the consequences are very real here in our East Tennessee homes. Over the years since early 1980, Bridge resettled and served hundreds of refugees from Ukraine helping them to rebuild their lives after suffering persecution.
- [An airport reunion sparks a renewed friendship.](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/airport-reunion/) - When Swaiba arrived with her family for refugee resettlement in Chattanooga in early December, the last person she expected to greet them at the airport was a friend from her past. Swaiba had never heard of Chattanooga before she and her husband, Sami, were told they were being resettled there with their children after living
- [Bridge Refugee Services client earned his master of accountancy and is now a tax associate in Nashville](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/client-accountant/) - Whenever Cedric Twizere sets a goal for himself, he visualizes himself achieving it. “So far, since I’ve been in the U.S., I’ve achieved most of the things I’ve tried to achieve,” hesaid. “The first thing was I wanted to come to UT. Then, get my bachelor’s degree – to graduate– and then go to a
- [Technology helps Chattanooga clients connect to their new world](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/tech-goes-home/) - One year ago, six Chattanooga refugees who had little to no experience with technology now join Zoom meetings and send emails with ease on devices they proudly own. That's thanks to private donations and a digital literacy course made possible through a partnership between Bridge and Tech Goes Home Chattanooga. “We started partnering with them
- [COUPLE SUPPORTS BRIDGE REFUGEES WITH TAX SAVINGS](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/couple-supports-bridge-refugees-with-tax-savings/) - When the federal tax overhaul was passed in 2017, Kevin and Courtney Brown made a decision. Although the new policy put more money in their pockets at the end of the year, they saw that it cost lower-income families more. So, instead of buying a new TV or going on vacation, the couple decided to
- [UNLIKELY CROSSING: REFUGEE AND FRIEND REUNITE IN CHATTANOOGA](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/unlikely-crossing-refugee-and-friend-reunite-in-chattanooga/) - When Sudanese refugee Marwah Kuku learned in 2019 she was going to be resettled in Chattanooga, she had never heard of the city. At the time, she was living in Amman, Jordan, and working for the global humanitarian organization World Relief to serve other refugees from various countries. “I did not know where this is,”
- [BRIDGE CONTINUES SERVICES, SPREADS HOPE DURING PANDEMIC](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/bridge-continues-services-spreads-hope-during-pandemic/) - As the COVID-19 virus has spread globally, Bridge Refugee Services’ leaders have taken their mission to promote hope to heart in East Tennessee. “Our whole team is working collaboratively to help people cope,” said Bridge Executive Director Drocella Mugorowera. “This is a time of action, reflection, compassion, helping one another, sending messages of love and
- [CELEBRATING OUR CHATTANOOGA PARTNERS](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/celebrating-our-chattanooga-partners/) - “Volunteers of the Year:” Vicki Suttle and Marsha Gentry! Vicki and Marsha have been Bridge volunteers since 2018, and together they lead the Hixson Presbyterian Church Community Assistance Team (CAT), which has co-sponsored FOUR refugee families from Burundi, Colombia and Sudan. They truly go above and beyond as volunteers to build trust and form close relationships with
- [CELEBRATING OUR KNOXVILLE PARTNERS](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/celebrating-our-knoxville-partners/) - There is not a more invested and dedicated church partner than Two Rivers Church. Their Community Assistance Team (CAT) welcomed a young man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in September, showing him how to cook, helping furnish his apartment, assisting him in opening a bank account, and inviting him to take part in Thanksgiving
- [COVID IMPACTS MOST VULNERABLE CLIENTS](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/covid-impacts-most-vulnerable-clients/) - With soaring unemployment rates and taxed health care systems across the globe, the COVID-19 pandemic has challenged everyone in unprecedented and unexpected ways. But the coronavirus outbreak has highlighted how much more vulnerable refugees are during a global crisis. “It’s definitely had an impact,” Bridge Program Manager Katie Weber said of the pandemic’s disruption of
- [IN CHATTANOOGA, TORNADO COLLIDES WITH COVID CRISIS](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/in-chattanooga-tornado-collides-with-covid-crisis/) - The tornado that ripped through Chattanooga on Easter Sunday night came with no warning. “It happened at midnight,” said Marina Peshterianu, associate director of Bridge’s Chattanooga office. “The majority of people were asleep.” She and her husband rushed to a downstairs bathroom to take refuge, listening to howling winds and crashing trees outside her home.
- [SUDANESE FAMILY PUTS DOWN ROOTS WITH HABITAT HOME](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/sudanese-family-puts-down-roots-with-habitat-home/) - Yagoub and Tayba will soon have something they haven’t had since they fled war-torn South Sudan roughly six years ago – a house of their own. “My family will be so happy when they know that they live in their own home, and it will secure my family’s future,” Yagoub said of the four-bedroom house
- [GRADUATION MARKS MILESTONE FOR BOSNIAN MOM, DAUGHTER](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/graduation-marks-milestone-for-bosnian-mom-daughter/) - Like most parents of the Class of 2020, Belma Denic looked forward to attending her daughter’s upcoming high school graduation from Hardin Valley Academy—and worried that the COVID-19 outbreak might mar those plans. For Belma, a refugee from Bosnia who resettled in Knoxville when she was 18, attending the graduation holds particular significance. “It will
- [COUPLE FOUNDS CHATTANOOGA COFFEE BUSINESS WITH REFUGEES IN MIND](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/couple-founds-chattanooga-coffee-business-with-refugees-in-mind/) - Cherita Rice understood the plight of refugees at an age most aren’t aware they exist. She’s a native of the unique community enclave of Clarkston, Ga., where thousands of refugees settled and built new lives. “All my friends were refugees,” she says, hailing from Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, all over the world. The experience led her
- [INTERPRETER FOLLOWS IN FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/interpreter-follows-in-fathers-footsteps/) - When Sarah Whayeb greets Arabic-speaking refugees who arrive in East Tennessee, shewelcomes them in her native language. But Sarah, an interpreter with Bridge Refugee Services, understands first-hand the culture shock, exhaustion and uncertainty they’re experiencing, as well. With Bridge’s help, she resettled in Chattanooga 11 years ago after fleeing war-torn Iraq with her mother, older
- [NEW SEWING PROGRAM BRINGS CLIENTS TOGETHER TO LEARN ENTERPRISE SKILLS](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/new-sewing-program-brings-clients-together-to-learn-enterprise-skills/) - Claudine Tuyisenge didn’t know how to handle a needle, let alone a sewing machine whenshe participated last month in a sewing workshop offered through Bridge Refugee Services’ Knoxville office. “Now I can make my own skirt,” says Claudine, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who resettled in Knoxville with Bridge’s help. Claudine
- [‘MY CHILDREN GOT A BETTER LIFE’](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/my-children-got-a-better-life/) - It’s been almost 30 years since Manjay fled civil conflict in Liberia with her four children, ages three to nine, and walked to the Ivory Coast. In 2005, the family walked off the airplane into a new life in Knoxville. “I didn’t know anybody,” she says. She didn’t speak English. Her children had never been
- [FORMER BOSNIAN REFUGEE ‘PAYS IT FORWARD’](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/former-bosnian-refugee-pays-it-forward/) - Last Christmas, Olivera Dessieux delivered nearly 300 backpacks stuffed with school supplies to children served by Bridge Refugee Services and a Knoxville elementary school. This holiday season, the former Bridge client organized another community donation drive aimed at giving children entering the foster-care system a new duffel bag to carry hygiene products and other items so they won’t
- [CHRISTMAS PROJECT GOES YEAR-ROUND FOR CHURCH GROUP](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/christmas-project-goes-year-round-for-church-group/) - As the holidays approached last year, Vicki Suttle and Marsha Gentry went to a pastor at their church, seeking a way to better invest themselves in the lives of the people in their community. “We wanted to connect with people on more than a one-time thing,” Vicki said. The pastor steered them to Bridge Refugee
- [CONGOLESE STUDENT EXCELS AT STEM](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/congolese-student-excels-at-stem/) - As a rookie member of the school’s Robotics team, the STEMpunks, Phillip cheered on the team’s robot, Rosetta, a.k.a. Rosie, as it completed a series of challenges during the fair’s Robotics competition. “He was hands-on, jumped in and stayed in the pit to fix the robot and work with the other STEMpunks,” said Nick Sirek,
- [SYRIAN TWINS WIN SPOTS IN NATIONAL WELCOME PROGRAM](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/syrian-twins-win-spots-in-national-welcome-program/) - It is no exaggeration to say Yara and Yazan escaped war-torn Syria by the skin of their teeth. The day they left Syria with their parents and two older siblings, their home was bombed. Ten days later it was completely destroyed by fire. The refugee family was resettled in Chattanooga, where they have been rebuilding
- [BRIDGE CLIENT, VOLUNTEER LAND SLOT IN KNOXVILLE FILM FEST](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/bridge-client-volunteer-land-slot-in-knoxville-film-fest/) - Hemedi had to Google Knoxville, Tennessee, when he learned as a Congolese refugee living in Burundi that he would be resettled here. This month, a movie he helped produce and film will be featured in the Knoxville Film Festival. It will screen as part of a block of short films featured 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Sept.
- [VISTA STANDS FOR “VOLUNTEER EXTRAORDINAIRE”](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/vista-stands-for-volunteer-extraordinaire/) - Whenever a volunteer transports a client or a newsletter goes out or an event such as World Refugee Day happens, an AmeriCorps VISTA member is behind it. In other words, this national service program is crucially important to the daily activities of Bridge Refugee Services. Nicole Fernandez and Ian Bicko are the first AmeriCorps VISTA
- [SURPRISE! COLOMBIAN ARRIVALS GET UNEXPECTED GREETING](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/surprise-colombian-arrivals-get-unexpected-greeting/)
- [FORMER IRAQI REFUGEE HELPS FOUND CHURCH PARTNERSHIP](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/former-iraqi-refugee-helps-found-church-partnership/) - Abdulwahhab Alabid, known as Wahab, came to America from Iraq determined tosucceed. He went to work at Amazon. He started a catering business with his son,Ahmed, and wife, Jinan. He connected with a local family early on who helped himfind the mobile home he bought and renovated (the beginnings of a small, Iraqienclave in rural
- [CARS FOR BRIDGE—AN IRAQI REFUGEE PAYS IT FORWARD](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/cars-for-bridge-an-iraqi-refugee-pays-it-forward/) - Karzan, who once oversaw hundreds of people working for companies that included a large American military contractor, AsiaTel and Coca Cola now works in a tiny office of two on a used car lot. Orange Auto Sales. 6271 Clinton Hwy. Knoxville, Tennessee. USA. Since his arrival with his wife and children in 2016, Karzan—who is
- [WE LOVE OUR VOLUNTEERS AND DONORS—CHECK OUT OUR CELEBRATIONS!](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/we-love-our-volunteers-and-donors-check-out-our-celebrations/) - Volunteers and donors gathered in April for recognition events held April 11 in Knoxville and April 23 in Chattanooga.
- [CHURCHES JOIN TO WELCOME REFUGEES](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/churches-join-to-welcome-refugees/) - They may be different church denominations, but when you ask Jack and Nathan what moved them to come to the aid of refugees, they both quote the same verse: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me.” It’s this common belief that has brought Jack’s church, St. Joseph Catholic, and Nathan’s church, St. Francis Episcopal,
- [VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: TUTOR & CLIENT NOW LIFELONG FRIENDS](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/volunteer-spotlight-tutor-client-now-lifelong-friends/) - VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: TUTOR & CLIENT NOW LIFELONG FRIENDS TUESDAY, APRIL 2ND, 2019 When Joyce volunteered to tutor English for Bridge clients after her retirement to Chattanooga, she didn’t realize everything that would mean. Trips to the store, to the doctor’s office, to social security. Helping clients for CNA tests, the citizenship exam. It has also
- [‘AND NOW WE ARE TOGETHER’–SECONDARY MIGRANTS REUNITE IN KNOXVILLE](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/and-now-we-are-together-secondary-migrants-reunite-in-knoxville/) - Kanyankogote and Sperto have known each other since they were forced to leave the war zone that their homeland in the Congo had become and forge new, if temporary, lives in a Ugandan refugee camp. That was in 1996. Twenty years later, they arrived as refugees but to different parts of the U.S. Kanyan, as
- [INTERN SPOTLIGHT: KATY POWELL](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/intern-spotlight-katy-powell/) - Meet Katy! She’s one of the first friendly faces refugees see upon arrival to their Knoxville home. Since October, she has been serving as an intern with Bridge, providing the cultural orientation classes required within the early days of their arrival. Interns like Katy—who is technically also a volunteer, since the internship is unpaid—are crucial
- [Sudanese family buys first home](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/another-test-post/) - Yagoub and Tayba will soon have something they haven’t had since they fled war-torn South Sudan roughly six years ago – a house of their own. “My family will be so happy when they know that they live in their own home, and it will secure my family’s future,” Yagoub said of the four-bedroom house
- [Couple reunites after six years](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/couple-reunites-after-six-years/) - When Muhyidin came to Chattanooga in 2016, he made a decision. If his wife couldn’t join him within five years, he would go back home. He had left his country, a newlywed, in 2013 as one of hundreds of thousands fleeing ongoing conflict and ethnic struggle in his home city of Darfur. He and Arafa
- [Congolese high schooler excels at STEM](https://www.bridgerefugees.org/stories/test-story/) - Just a month into his freshman year at the L&N STEM Academy, student Phillip Sebu stood in the pit at the Tennessee Valley Fair’s Robo-Rodeo, tools at the ready. As a rookie member of the school’s Robotics team, the STEMpunks, Phillip cheered on the team’s robot, Rosetta, a.k.a. Rosie, as it completed a series of