"Any person can be involved:" Group gathers in Milwaukee to brainstorm ways to help Syrian refugees
MILWAUKEE -- A grassroots effort is underway to hatch a plan to help Syrian refugees -- and maybe even bring some to Milwaukee.
Public House
A public meeting was held on Monday evening, November 30th at the Public House in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood. The meeting was held to discuss ways to help Syrian refugees -- both overseas and here at home.
"I`m not an expert on immigration or refugees. I`m a mom from Shorewood," Maggie Kuhn Jacobus said.
Kuhn Jacobus and Gretchen Meade say they're determined to help families seeking to escape Syria.
Maggie Kuhn Jacobus
"I think any person can be involved. I`m just a regular old person, but I do believe I am a powerful person and that all people can make a difference," Meade said.
Kuhn Jacobus and Meade, and the others who took part in the meeting, exchanged ideas with others who support refugees regarding how to help them.
Gretchen Meade
This, as Governor Scott Walker has ordered state agencies to not provide services to new Syrian refugees should federal groups place any in Wisconsin -- citing security concerns.
Kuhn Jacobus and Meade say that decision intensifies the need for a private support system for refugees.
"What we`re interested in exploring are -- what are the other options that are available to us to provide assistance and help?" Kuhn Jacobus said.
Meeting in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood to brainstorm how to help Syrian refugees
Opponents of President Barack Obama's plan to resettle 10,000 Syrians say the risk of terrorists sneaking in is too great.
Meeting in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood to brainstorm how to help Syrian refugees
Meade says there's more risk in turning away refugees.
"There will be no options for these people. They will have to realign with people who are committing terrorist acts around the world right now," Meade said.
These supporters of refugees say they hope they're starting the process of working towards a big change.
Kuhn Jacobus and Meade say if it comes to it, they'd be willing to take a refugee family into their own homes.
But more immediately, they're hoping to find credible groups overseas that are taking supplies for Syrian families.