Resettlement re-cap: a periodic report from the Cuban Refugee Center, November 1968

              SPONSOR CUBAN REFUGEES
Fulfill Their Faith in Freedom
NOVEMBER   1968
RESETTLEMENT RE-CAP
FOR   ADMINISTRATIVE   USE
A PERIODIC REPORT FROM CUBAN REFUGEE CENTER — FREEDOM TOWER, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33101
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE
SOCIAL AND REHABILITATION SERVICE
U.S. CUBAN REFUGEE PROGRAM JOHN FREDERICK THOMAS, Director, Washington, D. C.
ERROL T. BALLANFONTE, Director of Center HARRY B.  LYFORD, Editor
CljanfesigitJiHS,
1968
For those within our
state who have come to
us from Cuba, who have
kept the flame of
freedom bright, and
whose passion challenges
us to forms of service
we had not previously
known;
We thank you ... and
open our hearts
to them afresh and anew
in search of true
brotherhood and service.
Excerpt from Thanksfiiring litany
written by members of the Conference
Commission on Worship.
This timely recognition of Cuban
refugees and the values for Americans
that stem from their coming in set
forth in the November issue of THE
FLORIDA METHODIST, official publication of the Conference Council Coordinating the Work of Florida Conference Boards and Agencies, the United
Methodist Church, Lakeland, Fla.
Additional paragraphs in the full
litany pray for "the day when unity
becomes more encompassing, including
those of our races and culture." And
it concludes:
"For all the blessings of the year
For all the friends we hold so dear
For peace on earth, both far and near
We thank thee,  0 Lord."
'WE COUNT OUR BLESSINGS EVERY DAY,f
" SAY GRATEFUL REFUGEES
A husband-wife team that worked together in law
in Cuba is now at work in education in Titusville,
Fla.  Both Miguel Olivella and his wife, Kary, have
identical degrees -- law doctorates from the University of Havana, and B.A. and M.A. degrees from Indiana State University.  The latter they earned studying in special courses made possible by the Cuban
Refugee Program.  He teaches Spanish at Parkway Junior High School, she the same subject at Madison
Junior High.  Reports Quinton M. Sherrer, feature
writer of the Titusville STAR-ADVOCATE:
"Miguel and Kary have an enthusiasm for their new
life that can be appreciated perhaps only by those
who have fled from a communist country. Miguel
comes from a family of physicians.  As the family's
only attorney he thinks he inherited some of the
love of politics had by his father, Jose, who was a
Cuban senator, as well as a physician...But Miguel
was more interested in sports and as a student was fencing champion, playing Princeton, Yale and University of
Virginia teams, coming often to the U.S."
Their coming to exile in 1960 the Olivellas planned carefully, to make it look like a business trip.  But
once in Miami they told their son and daughter they were here to stay.
"Those first three years were hard," relates the newspaper account.  "Miami was overcrowded with refugees.
Miguel took whatever job he could get, from bus boy to furniture-packing assistant, where he soon rose to
higher responsibilities.  Then came a miracle, or so it seemed to the Olivellas."
The "miracle" was that Refugee Program project which has enabled nearly 800 refugees with good educations
in their homeland to be retrained for professions in special courses in nine U.S. colleges and universities.
As have the Olivellas, many lawyers, facing a different type jurisprudence in this country, have re-trained
for other professions.  Still building on his educational credits Mr. Olivella looks forward to a doctorate,
American type, when he can complete summer studies.
Before moving to Titusville, Mr. and Mrs. Olivella taught two years in Indiana.  The reputation of the
school system in the fast-growing community of Titusville, near Cape Kennedy, attracted them, they said.
Maggie, 11-year-old daughter, is a seventh grader.  Mike, 14, is a high school sophomore.
"We are happy to be living in a democracy," the family told the writer.
day."
"We count our blessings every
AFTER DEEP TRAGEDY, A DEMONSTRATION OF FAITH
Why the U.S. Cuban Refugee Program? "Deep tragedy" accounts for it, according to the San Diego TRIBUNE. Under
the caption EXILES PRAY FOR LIBERATION, the newspaper reminds its readers:
"The Cubans in exile who have united in a prayer campaign for the downfall of Fidel Castro present a poignant
reminder of the deep tragedy that has overtaken the island
and its people.  The Castro tyranny has caused nearly a
half million Cubans to leave their country...After nearly
10 years...the Cuban exiles understandably must feel that
human resources are inadequate for reestablishment of their
just hopes.  The prayer campaign...has grown to include
some 200,000 exiles.  Their action indicates the faith
which always seems to sustain a people in times of des-
pair..."	
In this happy family scene the Miguel Olivellas are
pictured at their Titusville, Fla., home -- Miguel at
the left, his wife, Kary, next to him, then daughter,
Maggie, 11, and son, Mike, 14.   Photo Courtesy Titusville STAR-ADVOCATE.
MAYBE YOU AND YOUR GROUP CAN BRIGHTEN A CUBAN REFUGEE'S CHRISTMAS; THE TIME TO PLAN IS NOW