Vietnamese Refugees at Don Bosco Community Center

Transcribed article: Viet Refugees Flood to City. by John T. Dauner. Kansas City is receiving Vietnamese refugees in unprecedented numbers because of the closing of the Ft. Chaffee, Ark., processing center on Dec. 20. The Don Bosco Community Center has a contract with the federal government to sponsor and resettle 250 refugees and 60 already have been resettled in permanent housing, most in the Columbus Square area, which is served by the center. But 100 refugees arrived early this week and 60 more are expected here by Friday. Fifty of the new arrivals occupying rooms on the seventh floor of the residence hall at St. Joseph Hospital, free guests of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Fifty more are bedded down in a hall at Don Bosco and the 60 who will start arriving today will be housed in a former dance hall nearby. Cots and blankets are being provided by the Red Cross. How long will it take the 160 refugees to permanently settle - find permanent housing and jobs - is anybody's guess. "Very few speak English," Bill Patterson, co-ordinator of the Don Bosco program, said. "That's the reason they are the last ones leaving Chaffee. They are the hardest to resettle." The seventh floor of the residence hall at St. Joseph bustles with bright-eyed, noisy, bare-foot children, who seem not the least concerned with what is before them. By contrast, the adults sit almost expressionless. Only one of them, a 16-year-old girl, can speak any English and she knows only a few words. All this is taking place under the watchful eye of Sister Leo Christopher, residence hall manager. Her colleagues have dubbed her "Mother Hen." "First, they told us the refugees would be here about 30 days," she said. "But, oh my, no. They will be here more like 60 days. Probably some will go and others will arrive to take their places. We're already planning a Christmas party." Keeping the children well, happy and at play concerns her. She is searching the hospital for a rug to put in the elevator lobby so the children can play there. A small recreation room on the floor above is being prepared for the refugees. And there is a fenced play area in the hospital yard. But some of the children apparently do not have coats and shoes and toys are few. Sister Leo hopes some will be donated. In an effort to begin building some communication between staff and the refugees, Sister Joan Hass, assistant hospital administrator for education, said some members of the order who teach at Avila College are going to try to begin teaching English to the refugees. But now, she said: "This is an extremely difficult thing because we have no communication. We are taking a lot on faith. As they become settled the refugees will be enrolled in an intensive English course being taught by Patterson. The refugees are being fed in the hospital cafeteria with Don Bosco paying the bill. One baby who was found to have pneumonia has been admitted to the hospital. Everything is under control, Sister Leo said. A minor problem is that although restrooms on the floor were labeled in Vietnamese for men and women, the guests do not seem to be paying any attention. "You see men and women coming out of the same one," Sister Leo said. At Don Bosco Center, which connects to Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the school, which now is closed, the 50 refugees live and sleep in the hall. The Children have the use of the school playground and the favorite indoor game seems to be a Vietnamese form of marbles. The hall has a large kitchen. Yesterday three of the women were taken to a supermarket where they were able to buy food that approximates their native diet - chicken and vegetables. The refugees will do their own cooking. One of the first things that strikes the Americans that are working here is the indoor temperature the refugees consider comfortable - hot! Although the Don Bosco hall was stifling, the Vietnamese were wrapped up in sweaters and coats and several stood around a gas stove warming themselves. The new arrivals are taking an active role in getting themselves settled. During the day the women and older people tend to the children. But the able-bodied men are preparing temporary space for those expected before the end of the week. And yesterday several of the men were cleaning up and painting 30 one- and 2-bedroom units that Don Bosco has rented in the nearby Guinotte housing project from the housing authority. "They are good workers and from all backgrounds," said Joe Bednar, an independent contractor, who is rehabilitating the units. "They have a good spirit about doing work for their own people." Bednar is proud that the Italian community is taking the lead in the effort to resettle the refugees. "This is the best thing the Italian community has ever done," he said. Bud Bednar brings up a sore point. "Most of these families have nine members or more," he said. "They need larger units. The housing authority has vacant 3- and 4-bedroom units down here but they won't let us have them. We're still trying." Meanwhile, Don Bosco officials, who had expected to have at least until the end of the month to find permanent housing for the refugees are inundated with new arrivals. (Caption) "Coming Home" In another step toward their new homes these Vietnamese refugees, 100 of them so far this week, have been moved here from Ft. Chaffee, Ark., to be resettled permanently. These people are part of a group of 50 who have been moved into a hall at Don Bosco Community Center; the center provides them permanent housing. Another 50 refugees are staying at a residence hall at St. Joseph Hospital and 60 more are expected here by Friday. (Caption) "Some Like it Hot" Despite indoor temperatures uncomfortable to most Americans, these Vietnamese refugees, who arrived here this week for resettlement, wrapped up in coats and sweaters and warmed themselves by a stove at Don Bosco Community Center. They are Staying at the center until permanent housing is found for them. Kansas City Times, December 10, 1975.