(Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles on the Boat People arriving in Atlanta. Future articles will cover such topics as the case history of a refugee family and look at some of the sponsors in the Archdiocese of Atlanta.)

By Marie Mulvenna

A critical shortage of sponsors for the Vietnamese “Boat People” refugees arriving in Atlanta has prompted an emergency appeal for refugee sponsors from Catholic Social Services, the local resettlement arm of the United States Catholic Conference. Father Jacob A. Bollmer, Executive Director of Catholic Social Services, said 330 Vietnamese individuals have arrived in Atlanta in 1979, 107 of them during the months of September alone.

“This is a real emergency situation,” Father said. “We had 37 more arrive just this week and the rate is expected to accelerate rapidly within the next few weeks.” Estimates, Father Bollmer noted, expect the rate of refugees arriving to double for the remainder of the year.

“We desperately need sponsors, families, neighborhood groups, civic organizations, business clubs, individuals. We have always had such outstanding support from the Atlanta community and we really do need their immediate assistance to fill this tragic and very real need.”

The plight of the scores of “Boat People” has brought international attention to the tragic situations in their homeland. The fleeing families have been leaving in droves, heading out into the South China Sea in tiny boats. Over half of them die of starvation, exposure or when the tiny vessels capsize. Father Bollmer said the upcoming monsoon season would push the tally even higher.

“Those who are fortunate enough to be picked up at sea, are then transported to refugee camps throughout the Far East,” said Father. Volunteer agencies from around the world then furnish transportation for specific numbers who will go to certain countries under various quotas.

Those refugees heading for the United States are sponsored by one of the many agencies and will then arrive at one of four American ports of entry - Atlanta, Seattle, San Francisco and New York.

Since the refugee exodus began in 1975, some 234,000 have been resettled in the United States. The U.S. Government currently permits the entry of 14,000 per month. Some 7,000 of those are resettled by the U.S. Catholic Conference. 1,000 of those have been settled in metropolitan Atlanta since the fall of Saigon triggered the dramatic flight from Vietnam. 80% of those handled in Atlanta came through Catholic Social Services, part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta.

Tam Van Bui, Resettlement Coordinator, said the Catholic Conference alerts Atlanta about incoming families and “then the sponsor search is on in earnest.” Sometimes it is handled quickly but of late it is increasingly difficult because of the need for additional sponsors, he said.

“We work closely with the sponsor,” Father Bollmer said, adding that $250 per refugee is also available to the sponsor to assist in the relocation process. The sponsor task involves meeting the arriving family, obtaining affordable apartment or lodging, helping them obtain furnishings, clothing and assisting with job placement. “That personal touch - meeting the arrivals and showing that one-to-one concern and compassion is so very important.”

Father said the refugee family is encouraged to remain self sufficient and stay off any form of direct welfare assistance if at all possible. He noted that the unemployment rate for all refugees who have been resettled in Atlanta has remained a mere 3%, a national record in resettlement programs.

Persons unable to assume the role of sponsor can also help with financial donations as well as donations of clothing and basic household items. “Anyone willing to share in any way at all can call me or Mr. Tam,” Father said.

“In past efforts to obtain help for refugees, we have had superb cooperation. We have been doubly blessed with the generosity of the business community and the industriousness of the refugees themselves.”

“Once more we need the help of Atlantans in this tragic influx of Vietnamese refugees. We hope they will respond to these poor people so sorely in need of hope and homes.”