Contact: Sue Michalowski The Welcome to America Project P.O. Box  21,  Scottsdale,  AZ  85252-0021

sue.michalowski@wtap.org www.wtap.org

Press Release

The Welcome to America Project Welcomes 500^th Refugee Family to Phoenix This Summer:  local charity reaches a milestone, bringing more than 2,000 refugees free furniture and home essentials in the last six years. 

Scottsdale, AZ, August 8, 2008:  The Welcome to America Project (WTAP), a Scottsdale-based charity, will deliver and install furniture and home accessories to its 500^th refugee family in Phoenix this summer, providing a warm American welcome to Phoenix’s newest residents.  Journalists are invited to come on any deliveries this summer to interview refugees and volunteers and witness the work of this important local charity.   Photo and video opportunities available.
            Founded in November 2001 as a positive, heartfelt response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11,  WTAP has already delivered over $500,000 worth of in-kind furniture and home essentials to refugee families, all free of charge, almost every Saturday morning of the year.

            Typically, refugee families arrive in Phoenix after living in refugee camps for an average of eight years.  They come from Burma, Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, Cuba and other war-torn and oppressed countries.  Many are relocated alone, forced to leave family members behind.  Others are resettled with extended family members in the care of one adult, not necessarily their parents.  They usually arrive with the clothes on their backs, often do not speak English, are housed in impoverished, inner-city areas and possess little besides their freedom and hope. 

            Shortly after their arrival, WTAP visits their apartments with high quality furniture and a corps of 10-15 volunteers to furnish, decorate and set up their homes, all for free.  Carolyn Manning, Executive Director of WTAP extends an invitation to journalists and volunteers city-wide to come take part in a delivery this summer:  “This is an ideal, memorable way to celebrate the spirit of the 4^th of July and American freedom – spreading peace and welcoming our newest neighbors and future US citizens.”  To find out more or schedule an interview, email sue.michalowski@wtap.org or phone (602) 738-6986.

About The Welcome to America Project

The Welcome to America Project, a 501c3 non-profit organization established in 2001, helps newly resettled refugees transform their bare apartments in Phoenix into comfortable, warm homes.  This volunteer group collects high quality furniture and household items from donors throughout the Phoenix area, and delivers them free of charge, every Saturday to refugee families arriving from Africa, the Middle East, and other war-torn regions.  Since November of 2001, WTAP has delivered home furnishings and necessities to over 500 refugee families, raised over $500,000 in in-kind donations, and logged thousands of volunteer hours.  The organization has won numerous awards and accolades for its grassroots, volunteer organization and work.

For more information, please contact:  Sue Michalowski, sue.michalowski@wtap.org. To volunteer or to make a donation, please visit www.wtap.org or call (602) 820-3224.