Welcoming Neighbors: News and Updates from The Refuge

The Refuge: A New Beginning for Fort Wayne's Immigrant Community

We are thrilled to announce that The Refuge has officially purchased its future home at 3901 S Wayne Ave, Fort Wayne, IN 46807!

This milestone marks the beginning of creating a center where immigrants and refugees can find critical resources, support services, and a true sense of belonging.

The Refuge will be...

• A safe place where newcomers can access resources like legal aid, housing support, English classes, and employment assistance.

  
  

• A resource hub with both temporary apartments and office space for immigrant-serving nonprofits.

  
  

• A community space where cultures are celebrated, support is accessible, and newcomers are empowered to build new lives.

Renovations are currently underway throughout the building, and we will continue to keep you updated as exciting progress is made!

Important Dates:

🙏 May 18 – Prayer & Praise Night - A Dedication & Open House at The Refuge (6:30 PM) Come ready to worship and dedicate this space to God’s glory.

💦 May 23 & 30 – Pressure Washing the Building (10:00 AM–6:00 PM — volunteers welcome!) We have two pressure washers—can you bring another? Lifts welcome too! Sign-up here.

🌿 May 31 – Landscape Day (9:00 AM–5:00 PM — come help beautify the space!) Bring shovels, wheelbarrows, and hard rakes to help beautify the grounds. Sign-up here.

Interested in seeing the space?We would love to show you around! If you or your organization would like to schedule a tour of The Refuge, just reach out and we’ll be happy to set it up.

Join Our Prayer List:We believe prayer is a powerful way to cover the work of The Refuge and the immigrant community in love and support.

If you would like to receive monthly prayer requests and updates, sign up here — we would love for you to join our prayer team!

Our Purpose:The Refuge exists to honor Fort Wayne’s legacy of hospitality by offering a safe space and comprehensive support services for immigrants, facilitating their successful transition and integration into midwestern life.

Learn more at our website: https://therefugefw.com/

We are excited to see The Refuge grow into a place where lives are supported, cultures are valued, and futures are rebuilt with hope.

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What's Happening in Our Community?

We are excited to see so many individuals, churches, and organizations stepping up to serve and support our immigrant neighbors! Here’s a quick snapshot:

Cherry Blossom Festival – May 18

On May 18, 2025, Fort Wayne will host the Cherry Blossom Festival, a free event organized by the Japanese American Association of Indiana. Celebrate Japanese culture with traditional food, performances, and activities for the whole family.

Citizenship Classes – Tuesdays in May

International House is offering Citizenship Classes every Tuesday in May from 6–8 PM. These sessions are designed to help individuals prepare for the naturalization process with practical support and helpful resources.

World Refugee Day – June 20

Join us in recognizing World Refugee Day on June 20, a time to honor the courage and resilience of refugees worldwide. We’ll share more soon about how The Refuge will participate and how you can get involved.

Know of an upcoming event or service? Let us know — we'd love to share it next month!

News and Updates from Around the Nation 🇺🇸

Here are a few important updates from USCIS and EOIR this month:

Work Permit Extensions: USCIS announced an automatic 540-day extension for certain work permit categories. (Effective April 2025)

New Asylum Processing Rules: EOIR has implemented updated procedures to speed up initial case hearings for asylum seekers.

DACA Updates: USCIS reaffirmed continued processing for DACA renewals while court challenges continue.

Family Reunification Parole Programs: New programs announced for certain nationalities, allowing faster reunification with family members legally in the U.S.

📞 Need more immigration resources or support? Contact us at 260-800-1558 or email at TheRefugeFW@gmail.com

(For detailed info or links to official updates, reply to this email or visit uscis.gov and justice.gov/eoir)

Let's Stay Connected!Our community is stronger when we work together. Whether you're volunteering, organizing, learning, or simply caring, you are a part of this movement. Thank you for being on the journey with us!

Want to feature your event, service, or update?Email us at TheRefugeFW@gmail.com — we’d love to include you in next month’s newsletter!