Bill Text: VA SR44 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending ReEstablish Richmond.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-02-08 - Bill text as passed Senate (SR44ER) [SR44 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-SR44-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, ReEstablish Richmond, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to connecting refugees and new immigrants to the resources they need to establish roots, build community, and become self-sufficient, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023; and
WHEREAS, the story of ReEstablish Richmond began in 2010, when founder Patrick Braford was working with recently resettled families from Myanmar in the Richmond area and recognized the need for greater support beyond initial settlement services to ensure these families found adequate housing; and
WHEREAS, since 2013, ReEstablish Richmond has worked to overcome the challenges that refugees and immigrants face upon arriving in a new and unfamiliar place, connecting them with resources that will help them learn, work, and rebuild their lives in Richmond; and
WHEREAS, ReEstablish Richmond achieves its goals today by helping those it serves learn English, become transportation independent, find employment, become digitally and financially literate, navigate legal matters, and improve their health and wellness; and
WHEREAS, ReEstablish Richmond has ably responded to the ever-changing needs of those it serves and the increasing demand for its services, which has doubled each year since 2020; from its founding to today, the organization's annual budget has grown from less than $20,000 to $1 million as the organization continues to increase its staff and scale its programs; and
WHEREAS, on November 4, 2023, nearly 100 of ReEstablish Richmond's staff, volunteers, partners, and donors gathered to witness the organization's impact, honor individuals and organizations that have been vital to its success, and celebrate its 10 years of service to the community; and
WHEREAS, the accomplishments of ReEstablish Richmond would not have been possible without the meaningful contributions of the organization's partners, donors, and volunteers and their unwavering commitment to the organization's mission; and
WHEREAS, by easing the transition for individuals and families fleeing conflicts and other difficult circumstances, ReEstablish Richmond has made both the Commonwealth and the world a more welcoming and harmonious place to live, work, and raise a family; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That ReEstablish Richmond hereby be commended on the occasion of its 10th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Patrick Braford, founder of ReEstablish Richmond, as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's admiration for his organization's efforts to promote the well-being of immigrants and refugees in the Richmond area as they become integrated and thriving members of the community.
