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

              SPONSOR CUBAN REFUGEES
Fulfill Their Faith in Freedom
AUGUST  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
SMALL BOAT ARRIVALS
FREEDOM HOUSE GREETINGS
REFUGEE MOTHERS AND CHILDREN
Who Are The Refugees?
"REFUGEES ARE A PEOPLE IN NEED. . .WHICH MUST BE MET
AT ONCE IF (THEY) ARE TO BE SALVAGED1'
This headline quotes a statement by John F. Thomas.   In a
"Life Begins Anew" brochure he authored as Director of the Cuban Refugee Program, Mr. Thomas
...thanks all who have been helpful to Cuban refugees by saying
"Our success in rehabilitating refugees has been possible
only through the efforts of many."
...emphasizes that "the present orderly airlift...has NOT eliminated the need to assist" Cuban refugees.
...writes that "Perhaps the procedures and solutions we have developed may generate similar solutions for problems facing...
our own countrymen."
The points above are in the brochure's PREFACE, which follows:
REFUGEES are a people in need.  Their origin is not important...their
need is.  And this need must be met at once if man and family are to be
salvaged...if they are to be ultimately free.  Refugees are a people
thrust abruptly from a normal existence into a rootless and strange
environment by strong and compelling factors.  Fleeing oppression, the
upheaval of war, and natural calamity, refugees have one thing in common
-- a need for help and understanding.
The Cuban Refugee Program is a program to help people.  It is, at the
same time, a new and challenging experience for the United States.  For
the first time in our history large numbers of refugees have arrived directly on our shores fleeing oppression and tyranny in their homeland.
Other refugee movements to the United States have involved third countries, special legislation, and assistance from private voluntary resettlement agencies.  However, the Cuban exodus, flowing into Miami, Florida, required direct Federal participation in operations.
Prior to December 1, 1965, the arrival of Cuban refugees in the Uni--
ted States was anything but controlled.  Each refugee made his way to
this country the best he could...more often than not at great personal
risk and sacrifice.  However, the present orderly airlift of refugees
from Cuba has changed that aspect of the program.  It has not eliminated the need to assist these people.
If we could forget the origin of their present situation, and look
only to the problems they face in the United States, we would discover
that the needs of Cuban refugees are indeed similar to those of United
States citizens existing on the fringes of our society.  Perhaps the
procedures and solutions we have developed may generate similiar solutions for the problems facing so many of our own countrymen.
Our success in rehabilitating refugees has been possible only through
the efforts of many.  All are helping a people in need.
EAGERLY LEARNING ENGLISH
16-FOOT BOAT; 14 MEN  A KISS FOR FREE SOIL
RESETTLEMENT
RE-CAP
BEGAN MONTHLY
PUBLICATION
SIX YEARS AGO
THIS AUGUST