The Refugee Crisis: Close to Home

**Need to finish small group info**

October 23rd, 2016

The Refugee Crisis: Close to Home

“You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the Lord, am your God.” Leviticus 19:34

5:30-6:30pm: Youth Mass

6:30-7:00pm: Snacks, icebreakers, opening prayer

7:00-7:10pm: Introduction to the night

Read the Bible verse for the day and ask the teens what it means to them.
Ask the teens to raise their hands if they know someone who has immigrated to the country.
It will probably be a large percentage of teens.
Ask the teens if they know a refugee who has come to this country
Remind them that a refugee is someone who has been forced to leave their country and cannot return home safely. They are displaced people without a home.
Say the following in your own words:
Today we will be talking about some “Unknowns.” We often do not see or hear about refugees. We will catch a glimpse on the news but do not hear about them enough to take the time to really care.
We often hear about immigrants in a negative light. People think they are coming to take advantage of us or to take our jobs. But they are also people with families and needs and wants and dreams.
To be pro-life means to care for all life, especially those we cannot see.

7:10-7:35pm: “Close to Home” refugee simulation and discussion

Show the refugee map up on the board. Point out the different zones and read the reflection sheet that is attached.

7:35-7:45pm: Videos and discussion

Show the video “The European Refugee Crisis and Syria Explained” by Kurzgesagt-In a Nutshell
Say the following in your own words:
Some of you may remember this video from last year but it still is a great way to explain some of the problems that have caused this refugee crisis.
The European countries are a lot like the South Dallas Cities that we live in. They have different resources and capabilities to host refugees, but most are able to relocate more than they are willing to.
They often fight about who should host the people forced to leave their homes and the ones that are further away often just ignore the problem and refuse to help.
Ask the teens the following questions:
How does the meaning of the refugee crisis change when you hear “a dead Dallas boy washed up on the shore of Joe Pool Lake” instead of hearing “a dead Syrian boy washed up on the shore of a Greek island?” Why is it important to put this into perspective?
Who knows a Hurricane Katrina Refugee? Did you know that many people who were displaced after Hurricane Katrina never returned home? Why do you think that is?
Show the video “Many Katrina Refugees Never Went Home” by Associated Press

7:45-7:55pm: Transition to small groups

Ask the teens to stack their chairs

7:55-8:30pm: Small Groups

October 23rd, 2016

The Refugee Crisis: Close to Home

Small Groups

Welcome the teens and invite them to take their seats
Take attendance
Have a teen read the Bible verse for the day:
“You shall treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among you; have the same love for him as for yourself; for you too were once aliens in the land of Egypt. I, the Lord, am your God.” Leviticus 19:34
Discuss the following questions
How did the Dallas Refugee Crisis activity make the global refugee crisis seem more real?
Why is it important to have activities that make global crises seem more personal?
For the Dallas Refugees- how did it feel being helpless as other people decided if they would open their borders do you?
City members- how hard was it to decide to allow someone into your city? What was the most difficult part?
Did you know that a lot of Hurricane Katrina refugees did not return home? Would you want to go back to your home if it had changed so much? Why or why not?
Why do you think we stop hearing about refugees after a while? Why do people choose to ignore this problem?
Service Project Idea- Coloring Books
The teens will be putting together coloring pages to turn into books to give to new refugee children working with Catholic Charities.
When they finish putting the books together they will write a note to the kids getting the books.
Closing Prayer
As a class say an Our Father to pray for all of the refugees trying to find a place to live.
Tell the teens to have a great week!

The Metroplex Crisis

Description:

There has been a huge economic crisis in Dallas. There are massive layoffs and political protests. People are rioting and looting and tearing the city apart. Cars are turned over and banks have all closed. A once rich, thriving city is now being burnt down looted. Police officers cannot handle the riots and the National Guard has been called in. South Dallas cities are closing their borders to keep their communities safe.
You will have to decide, with the help of your neighbors and government leaders, how to help the refugees coming from Dallas.

Separation:

Have the teens move to different areas of the room according to where they live. Each city should stick together.
If there is someone in a city not listed they should go to the city closest to their address. Example: Someone from Mansfield could join with the Grand Prairie group.

City descriptions:

After the teens have separated into their city groups read the overview of each city.
City descriptions:
Duncanville: The National Guard has set up a border along Interstate 20. This cuts a part of Duncanville off and many of its citizens are stuck in the northwest corner. Duncanville is one of the smallest southwest cities and it is only 11.3 square miles. It has a lot of parks and large schools that may be able to help displaced Dallas citizens but it already has 6% of its population living under the poverty line.
Cedar Hill: Cedar Hill is 36 square miles and has a lot more infrastructure, money and areas to help refugees. It borders Dallas lines but since it is so far below i-20 there is a buffer from the refugees with the no-man’s land of 1382 and Joe Pool Lake. Cedar Hill residents don’t deal with change well and they are quite happy with how life currently is. Besides, they have all of the best restaurants and the city is already crowded enough.
Desoto: Desoto, TX is 21 square miles and has a border with Dallas to the north, but still has a buffer between its city lines and I-20. DeSoto has the ability to lay low in the refugee crisis because Duncanville and Cedar Hill are receiving more media coverage. DeSoto is a home-rule city with a council-manager form of government. Therefore, any sort of refugee decisions would need to be made by city council members that represent 7 different districts. Some districts want to help, but others say the refugees have other places that would be better for them to go. The City Manager won’t make a decision until all the districts agree on an action.
Grand Prairie: Grand Prairie covers a huge amount of land and it suffers with creating unity within its own borders. There are pockets of wealthy people that refuse to interact with other people. North Grand Prairie feuds with South Grand Prairie and there are three different school districts that further divide the city. It has its own problems it thinks it should be dealing with, despite the large land areas and money earned from the large tourist areas off of I-30.
Midlothian: Midlothian covers a large area with great access to resources. They have a lot of land but their population has already more than doubled in the last 10 years. They are pretty far south of Dallas compared to the other cities but can be easily accessed by Highway 67. Midlothian has very different demographics from the other South Dallas cities, but this doesn’t necessarily mean it has more money or ways for the government to help.
Ovilla/ Red Oak/ Glenn Heights: These three smaller cities have fought hard to remain separate from the larger ones in the area. However, because of resource sharing their post offices, school districts and road systems are all intertwined. These cities have decided to work together to protect their small towns from the influx of refugees who will probably head south through them towards Midlothian. If they decide to help the refugees they have to figure out how they can do so while they already rely so heavily on other surrounding cities.
Dallas Refugees: If your address is in Dallas you will have to plead your case about why you want to move to a different city. You will have to get paperwork in order to pass the National Guard and you will decide where the best place is to flee to if you are able to get south of I-20.

City Group Work:

Pass the city sheets to each group and have them work as a team to decide if and how they will help the refugees from Dallas.
Tell the Dallas Refugees that they will hear each city’s case and then decide which city would be the best place for them to ask for asylum.

City Group Presentations:

Have each group send 2 representatives up to read off their willingness or inability to help the refugees in the area.
Have the Dallas Refugees listen to the group presentations and then ask them where they think the best place would be for them to relocate.
Ask them about the pros and cons of the new city
Ask them how it felt being unable to help the cities decide if they will offer assistance or not.

Refugee City Crisis

Fast Facts:

The City of Dallas has become unlivable due to riots and protests after an economic crisis.
The surrounding cities must determine if they will take refugees, how many they will allow in, if there is a better place for them to go and how they will help any asylum seekers.
Below are some general facts around the surrounding cities. Look at these statistics, along with the specific ones about your city, to fill out the questions on the back of this worksheet.
Work as a group!

Duncanville
Area: 11.3 square miles
Population: 38,524
Median Income: $51.654
Poverty Percentage: 6.1% /

Cedar Hill

Area: 36 square miles
Population: 45,028
Median Income: $60.136
Poverty Percentage: 5.5% /

DeSoto

Area: 21.6 square miles
Population: 49,047
Median Income: $57.699
Poverty Percentage: 5.5%

Grand Prairie

Area: 81.091 square miles
Population: 175,396
Median Income: $46.816
Poverty Percentage: 11.1% /

Midlothian

Area: 53.85 square miles
Population: 18,037
Median Income: $49.464
Poverty Percentage: 6.3% / Ovilla/Red Oak/ Glenn Heights
Combined Area: 27.9 miles2
Combined Population: 25,539
Ave. Median Income:$57,790
Ave. Poverty Percentage:5%

Dallas Refugees Facts:

1 million people are now displaced from their homes
250,000 of them are under the age of 18
They are from a wide variety of religions and economic backgrounds
A large percentage speak English as their second language
They will need housing, jobs, healthcare, food and schools.

Extra Duncanville Facts:

The National Guard has set up a border along Interstate 20. This cuts a part of Duncanville off and many of its citizens are stuck in the northwest corner.
Duncanville is one of the smallest southwest cities.
It has a lot of parks and large schools that may be able to help displaced Dallas citizens

City Name: Duncanville, TX

What would be some difficulties to housing refugees in your city?

What resources do you have to help refugees?

What are some locations in your city that would be good for housing refugees, either temporarily or permanently?

What are some businesses that could offer jobs to incoming refugees?

Do you think there is a city better equipped to help refugees? Which city? Why?

Take a vote as a group. Will your city allow refugees in?

If yes: How many?If no: Why not?

Refugee City Crisis

Fast Facts:

The City of Dallas has become unlivable due to riots and protests after an economic crisis.
The surrounding cities must determine if they will take refugees, how many they will allow in, if there is a better place for them to go and how they will help any asylum seekers.
Below are some general facts around the surrounding cities. Look at these statistics, along with the specific ones about your city, to fill out the questions on the back of this worksheet.
Work as a group!

Duncanville
Area: 11.3 square miles
Population: 38,524
Median Income: $51.654
Poverty Percentage: 6.1% /

Cedar Hill

Area: 36 square miles
Population: 45,028
Median Income: $60.136
Poverty Percentage: 5.5% /

DeSoto

Area: 21.6 square miles
Population: 49,047
Median Income: $57.699
Poverty Percentage: 5.5%

Grand Prairie

Area: 81.091 square miles
Population: 175,396
Median Income: $46.816
Poverty Percentage: 11.1% /

Midlothian

Dallas Refugees Facts:

1 million people are now displaced from their homes
250,000 of them are under the age of 18
They are from a wide variety of religions and economic backgrounds
A large percentage speak English as their second language
They will need housing, jobs, healthcare, food and schools.

Extra Cedar Hill Facts:

It borders Dallas lines but since it is so far below i-20 there is a buffer from the refugees with the no-mans land of 1382 and Joe Pool Lake.
Cedar Hill residents don’t deal with change well and they are quite happy with how life currently is. Besides, they have all of the best restaurants and the city is already crowded enough.
However, there are many large areas to house refugees and a large amount of private businesses that may be able to offer jobs.

City Name: Cedar Hill, TX

What would be some difficulties to housing refugees in your city?

What resources do you have to help refugees?

What are some locations in your city that would be good for housing refugees, either temporarily or permanently?

What are some businesses that could offer jobs to incoming refugees?

Do you think there is a city better equipped to help refugees? Which city? Why?

Take a vote as a group. Will your city allow refugees in?

If yes: How many?If no: Why not?

Refugee City Crisis

Fast Facts:

The City of Dallas has become unlivable due to riots and protests after an economic crisis.
The surrounding cities must determine if they will take refugees, how many they will allow in, if there is a better place for them to go and how they will help any asylum seekers.
Below are some general facts around the surrounding cities. Look at these statistics, along with the specific ones about your city, to fill out the questions on the back of this worksheet.
Work as a group!

Duncanville
Area: 11.3 square miles
Population: 38,524
Median Income: $51.654
Poverty Percentage: 6.1% /

Cedar Hill

Area: 36 square miles
Population: 45,028
Median Income: $60.136
Poverty Percentage: 5.5% /

DeSoto

Area: 21.6 square miles
Population: 49,047
Median Income: $57.699
Poverty Percentage: 5.5%

Grand Prairie

Area: 81.091 square miles
Population: 175,396
Median Income: $46.816
Poverty Percentage: 11.1% /

Midlothian

Dallas Refugees Facts:

1 million people are now displaced from their homes
250,000 of them are under the age of 18
They are from a wide variety of religions and economic backgrounds
A large percentage speak English as their second language
They will need housing, jobs, healthcare, food and schools.

Extra DeSoto Facts:

It has a border with Dallas to the north, but still has a buffer between its city lines and I-20.
DeSoto has the ability to lay low in the refugee crisis because Duncanville and Cedar Hill are receiving more media coverage.
It is a home-rule city with a council-manager form of government. Therefore, any sort of refugee decisions would need to be made by city council members that represent 7 different districts. Some districts want to help, but others say the refugees have other places that would be better for them to go. The City Manager won’t make a decision until all the districts agree on an action.

City Name: DeSoto, TX

What would be some difficulties to housing refugees in your city?