Resettlement re-cap: a periodic report from the Cuban Refugee Center, March 1969

              SPONSOR CUBAN  REFUGEES
Fulfill Their Faith  m  Freedom
MARCH,  1969
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 HOWARD H. PALMATIER, Deputy Director, Washington, D.C.
ERROL T.  BALLANFONTE, Director of Center HARRY B. LYFORD,  Editor
WITH FAITH, AND PARISH KINDNESS, REFUGEES SUCCEED, FINDING A LIFE OF FREEDOM IN MICHIGAN
Quickly stated, here is the plight that confronted many a Cuban household:
"Oscar and Lucila Perez had a good income, a comfortable home, two small sons,
good neighbors.  But they also had the fear and the steady strangulation of
freedom which had come with Castro and communism to Cuba."
What to do?  "They decided that, for them, there was no alternative.  They
decided to escape to the U.S." These paragraphs are from an article titled
"Five Years of Freedom -- A Cuban Family Finds A Future In A Michigan Parish"
printed in the February issue of the Family Digest, a Catholic monthly.
The story, aptly describing what has happened to other Cuban families, continues:  "Escaping communistic tyranny had been their only aim, and faith in
God and the U.S. their only hope.  They reached Miami with only the clothing
on their backs and the barest essentials.  All else, including Lucila's gold
wedding band, had been surrendered to Castro's government."
The Perez family went to resettlement with the help of the people of St.
Dennis Parish, Royal Oak, Mich., and their pastor, Father Hector Saulino.
They began life in freedom in a small flat rented and furnished by parish contributions.  The St. Vincent de Paul Society helped, neighbors brought foodstuffs and introductions to other people living nearby.  There were early
problems concerning Mr. Perez' job and Mrs. Perez' ability to take care of the
family on his income.  But gradually things were worked out.  The article
continues:  "Once Lucila became adept at housekeeping she felt she had time
to donate to the nuns at the school the children attended.  She did clerical
work for them to repay the kindnesses shown the family.  And for Oscar there
came a better job in an automotive plant.  Then the family felt a real sense
of security, participating in paid hospital insurance, life insurance and
paid vacations."
Later still they became homeowners.  The article ends with a typical success description, so common to resettled Cubans:
"The Perez family are now typical American suburbanites.  The boys are
doing well in school.  Lucila still works in the office during the school
term, but now for a small salary.  They realized one of their dreams this
year by buying a brand new car.  It took them to Miami for a visit to many
old friends who chose to stay there.
"What of the future? The future of the Perezes is bright, and it is in
Michigan.  Alex and Oscar, Jr., remember no other home and Oscar and Lucila
see no reason why they should.  They have made friends and put down roots.
"Five years of freedom, of faith in God and in themselves, have brought
new happiness to Oscar and Lucila Perez, and have brought four solid Ameri-
From pit-roasted pig in Cuba to
grilled hamburgers in their yard in
the U.S.Ai And isn't it wonderful?
...the smiling Oscar Perez family
seem to be saying...as long as we
grill in freedom.' Their story, in
Royal Oak, Mich., is the story of
many another Cuban family succeeding in the country of their refuge.
Sons Oscar, Jr., and Alex, shown
with their parents savoring the
aroma of the grill, remember no
other home. "We have made friends
and put down roots," say their
parents. "Five years of freedom,
of faith in God, and in ourselves,
have brought us new happiness."
-- Photo Courtesy Writer June
Einboden and Cameraman Philip E. Wilson.
cans to Royal Oak.
COMMUNITY COURSES FOR CUBAN TEACHERS STARTED
How a community may undertake on a completely local basis the training of Cuban refugees for U.S. teaching
positions is indicated by what is happening at Jersey City State College and Newark State College in New Jersey.
There a program to offer courses leading toward teacher certification and eventual advanced degrees was initiated by the Urban Education Corps, which recruited prospective students from Cuban refugee groups.  Cooperation of the two colleges led to development of "Workshops in Proficiency in the English Language," designed to
re-orient refugees with good basic educations for positions in the school systems.  "These were Cuban teachers,"
it was explained, "but here they took jobs in factories and other unskilled fields because of the language barrier.  With these special courses, we hope to return them to the teaching profession."
U.S.CUBAN REFUGEE PR0GRAM:A HUMANITARIAN PROJECT TO AID THOSE WHO CHOOSE FREEDOM OVER COMMUNISM