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A fresh start in Los Angeles: help the Petrenko family resettle

After fleeing the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Petrenko family has arrived in Los Angeles with little more than their documents. They need help with a deposit, furniture and the first months.

🇺🇸 United States2,095 views
Derek B. Delgado
Email verified
Los Angeles
My family left the Democratic Republic of Congo 11 months ago after our home was destroyed. We spent time in a camp before we were resettled in Los Angeles. We're a family of four and we're safe, but we arrived with very little. Our resettlement agency has provided 2 months of rent, and that support ends in November. I was an electrician in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and I'm studying the language every evening. Our daughter and son have started school and are doing well. We want nothing more than to be self-sufficient. This fund will help us through the first six months. Funds are managed by the Los Angeles Refugee Support Network, a registered organization, which pays the landlord and suppliers on the family's behalf. Where the $4,250 goes: • Rent deposit and first month: $1,850 • Beds, table and basic furniture: $1,150 • Winter clothing and school supplies: $560 • Language classes and bus passes: $470 • Phone and internet for school and job search: $220 If you're reading this, thank you. - Derek
#refugees#resettlement#family

Updates from Derek

  1. Small update. $275 so far, the plan for winter clothing and school supplies is now scheduled.

  2. Thank you all. We're at 20% now ($863). I'm honestly stunned. we've started the first stage.

  3. Small update. $558 so far, the plan for language classes and bus passes is now scheduled.

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RecentTop gifts
  • Ruma Rima Mukherjee 🇮🇳 · $200
  • Ramesh E. Anand 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Meena J. Kapoor 🇮🇳 · $100
  • Chantelle H. Chambers 🇯🇲 · $100
  • Petra Christina Wolf 🇩🇪 · $100
  • Caroline A. Freeman 🇺🇸 · $75

    “Hope it all works out. Only $75 but hope it helps. - San Diego”

  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $53

    “Stay strong. My cousin told me about this one. - Macon”

  • Anonymous 🇵🇭 · $50
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  • Jepkoech Mary Kigozi 🇰🇪 · $30

    “Thought of Derek all day after reading this. - Kisumu”

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  • An Cường Vuong 🇺🇸 · $20

    “Get well soon. This is from my last paycheck, glad to do it. - Huntsville”

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  • Samira Sawsan Belkacem

    Your post was clear and honest. Wish I lived closer to Tampa so I could bring a meal. Greetings from Pune.

    • Frank T. Hudson

      Hang in there, Derek. This could happen to any of us. Put this on a community board in Jodhpur this morning.

      • Leonardo M. Moran

        Wishing you peace. Looking forward to the next update. I'm in public service myself and wanted you to know we're cheering for you. Thinking of Los Angeles.

        $1,316 raised of $4,250

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