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Letter from the
Executive Director  Dear Friends and
Colleagues,
Persistence pays off.
That's the lesson of the red-billed woodpecker
(at left), and that's also what we keep
learning. Most recently, we've been pleased to
find a new healthcare training opportunity here
in Philadelphia -- a particularly important
chance for one of our clients, who has persisted
for several years in his ambition to work in
this field.
Becoming part of a new
community takes persistence too, and that's why
we were glad to be part of this year's Upper
Darby Community Pride Day. Also, earlier
this month we were thrilled to hear that our
colleagues in West Philadelphia, Paul and
Shirley Randleman, were being recognized for
their years of effort in preserving
African-American history and culture.
We
know that others around the nation are
struggling with the work of social and economic
integration too, and so we were honored to be
asked to participate in the upcoming National
Conference on Immigrant Integration in
Chicago.
And of course, Dr. Paul Farmer
is a living example of the power of persistence.
His public health work in Haiti and around the
world is truly an example of facing Mountains
Beyond Mountains. We hope you'll join us
on Nov. 19 for our annual SOLAS
awards, where you will hear from Dr. Farmer
in person.
As always, thank you for
your support. Your persistence helps our
work continue.
Anne O'Callaghan
(Woodpecker photo by Kevin
Long/kev72. Used with permission via a Creative
Commons license.)
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The Gutsiness of a
Long-Distance Runner  Macharia Yuot has
survived more than most people can imagine, and
now he's hoping to go to the Olympics. One of
the "Lost Boys" of the Sudan, Macharia was just
a child when he endured violence and severe
hardship in a long walk across the East African
desert.
Now he is an adult, a senior at
Widener University and a champion long-distance
runner. But before he can fulfill his dream
of competing to represent the United States in
the Olympic Games, he has to overcome one
more hurdle: straightening out paperwork to
allow him to become a citizen.
It's
easier said than done, especially since the
documents became tangled during his chaotic
journey from a refugee camp. But Macharia has
determination far beyond the norm. You can see
that determination in a special report to be
aired on ESPN on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007 at 7
p.m. on the network's new show, E:60. Don't
miss it!
(Photo of anonymous
runner in the (Detroit) Free Press marathon, by
Merlin Elsner. Used with permission, via a
Creative Commons license.)
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What's a
phlebotomist? (Try saying that word three
times quickly.) You've probably met a few --
they're the good folks who take your blood when
the doctor orders a test. Phlebotomy is a
particularly important profession in places like
Philadelphia, where our many hospitals and
health centers rely on these trained and
certified staff members. 
More and more immigrants
are settling in the suburbs. Communities such
as Upper Darby are home to new Americans from
countries as diverse as Bangladesh, South Korea
and Mexico. Events such as Pride Day help
neighbors get to know each other while
celebrating their community.
We were very pleased to be
present as Shirley and Paul Randleman
received a 2007 Human Rights Award from the
Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.
The Welcoming Center is
able to provide services through the generous
financial support of foundations, corporations,
public agencies, and individuals.