“You often hear, ‘In America, you don’t even know your next-door neighbor.’ Jonathan House is not like that. All the people at the house give you a feeling of belonging to a group and a place.”
Safety, Comfort, and Belonging
IAFR Jonathan House offers safe, stable shelter and supportive community to people who are seeking asylum in the US. Security and shelter are necessary for human survival. Community is equally important in affirming and healing the humanity of those who have been persecuted, isolated, and forcibly-displaced.
A former resident recently shared how she experienced community during her time at Jonathan House – and why she has stayed connected to it.
“During my time at Jonathan House, the people and the environment gave me a sense of comfort and safety. You are in safe hands with and around your housemates and the IAFR staff.”
Togetherness Amidst Community Difference
“Jonathan House was a positive community because of the diversified personalities. It’s not just one person. You are not even united by the same ideology, language, or culture. Still, there is that sense of belonging together.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has helped us all recognize that community contributes to our mental health, joy, and hope. This renewed sense of community is particularly important for asylum-seeking refugees. They have had to leave behind all that is familiar. Supportive community contributes to a person’s recovery from the trauma of forced displacement.
“I have good memories of our togetherness, sharing, and laughter at the house,” the former resident stated. “You and your housemates laugh even for the things you don’t understand, when you’re trying to communicate with each other in different languages!”
Hope and Wholeness in Community
This sister has moved on from Jonathan House into her own housing. She has secured stable employment to provide for herself and her son. Even so, she continues to participate in the Jonathan House community. She attends Community Events, visits former housemates, and has helped to welcome new residents.
“I got a positive impact of the community while I was there, a sense of belonging and safety,” she said. “Staying in touch with friends at Jonathan House is also a good reminder. It’s a memorial of how far I’ve come from when I arrived. I can remember where I was, say to myself, ‘Because of this place…’ and see the shift in perspective.”
How does she characterize the shift that life in community brought about? “A lot of people come to Jonathan House feeling shattered. Jonathan House will help pick up your pieces, to feel whole again.”
