We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Selemawit Gebrekurstos a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Selemawit, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you tell us about a time where you or your team really helped a customer get an amazing result?

I can think of many successes that took place by the grace of God. I cannot say that I am successful but the God who works through me is always successful. One thing that stood out to me was that one of Dash’s former residents was very ill and went to the JPS emergency room. She stayed in the ICU for four to five days. Then, as usual, she got the medical bill for 15 thousand dollars. (15.000) At that time the women did not have any insurance nor some knowledge about medical expenses. A few months when she received the medical bills, it was unbelievable to hear how expensive it was. She called me crying to inform me about the medical bills and not knowing what to do. Then I comforted her and told her I will see what I can do. Then I called the JPS Representative Service. I explained the women’s situation that she is an Asylum seeker and does not have access to work or to any Government benefits. Then I asked the person on the phone if there was a waiver for the bills. The man kindly replied, “there is a waiver available, however, it was too late for her to apply to the program.” Because she waited too long to reach out to the program and there was nothing he can do.
Then I asked him again if I can talk to a different person like his manager or a person he might think could help. The man was nice. He transferred me to a different department. This time it was a lady that I spoke to. I had to explain the residents’ medical bills and how new she was to the country, the culture, and her asylum state, and all I can think about was the resident’s situation. At Fist she said the same thing that the man was speaking about, how late she was to apply to the waiver program. However, after we had more conversation and when she observed how desperate and vulnerable, we were, she decided to email me the application paperwork.
We were very thankful and grateful for her understanding and kindness. I filled out the form and sent it to the program right away hoping that the resident would be qualified and not had to think about those bills till she gets a work permit. Most of her fears were not about how she will pay the bills. Her fear was that having a debt might hinder her asylum case. Thankfully a few months later she got a letter saying that her bill was dismissed and did not owe any money. She was very happy and stress-free. I was thankful for how successful we were, and I was able to help.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Selemawit. I come from Eritrea last 9 years ago. I am 26 years old. I work at a nonprofit organization called Dash network. Dash program serves asylum seekers by providing housing, Physical needs, and emotional needs. When I was new to the country, I got to know Ashley freeman the founder of Dash network through Catholic Charity. I was in the international foster care program when I was 17 years old and seeking Asylum. when I was about to turn 18 years old it was time for me to exit the program. In order to remain in the program, I must have my asylum granted before I turned 18.

My caseworker at Catholic Charity thought I won’t have my asylum granted before 18. So, she had to contact Ashley to see if I would qualify for the Dash program. After I had an interview with Ashley, I got accepted to the Dash program however, I had to stay in the international foster care program till I turned my 18Th birthday. While I was on the wait till my 18th birthday, I got my Asylum granted two weeks before my birthday. Then I was allowed to stay in the international foster care program till I turn 21year old. However, I liked the way Ashley welcomed me. I rather wanted to stay in her house than in the foster home. That was the journey to get to know Dash’s ministry.

A year and a half later I started to volunteer in the Dash network by translating to the Tigrinya speakers and providing transportation. A few years later I got hired as a part-time caseworker while I was in college studying to become a social worker. Then soon after I got offered a full-time job after I graduated from college as a director of social services. I help Dash residents by providing them social services like free clinic, clothes, a clothing bank, transportation through volunteers to their legal, medical, and other appointments, etc.

I can think of many successes that took place by the grace of God. I cannot say that I am successful but the God who works through me is always successful. One thing that stood out to me was that one of Dash’s former residents was very ill and went to the JPS emergency room. She stayed in the ICU for four to five days. Then, as usual, she got the medical bill for 15 thousand dollars. (15.000) At that time the women did not have any insurance nor some knowledge about medical expenses.
A few months when she received the medical bills, it was unbelievable to hear how expensive it was. She called me crying to inform me about the medical bills and not knowing what to do. Then I comforted her and told her I will see what I can do. Then I called the JPS Representative Service. I explained the women’s situation that she is an Asylum seeker and does not have access to work or to any Government benefits. Then I asked the person on the phone if there was a waiver for the bills. The man kindly replied, “there is a waiver available, however, it was too late for her to apply to the program.” Because she waited too long to reach out to the program and there was nothing he can do.

Then I asked him again if I can talk to a different person like his manager or a person he might think could help. The man was nice. He transferred me to a different department. This time it was a lady that I spoke to. I had to explain the residents’ medical bills and how new she was to the country, the culture, and her asylum state, and all I can think about was the resident’s situation. At first she said the same thing that the man was speaking about, how late she was to apply to the waiver program. However, after we had more conversation and when she observed how desperate and vulnerable, we were, she decided to email me the application paperwork.

We were very thankful and grateful for her understanding and kindness. I filled out the form and sent it to the program right away hoping that the resident would be qualified and not had to think about those bills till she gets a work permit. Most of her fears were not about how she will pay the bills. Her fear was that having a debt might hinder her asylum case. Thankfully a few months later she got a letter saying that her bill was dismissed and did not owe any money. She was very happy and stress-free. I was thankful for how successful we were, and I was able to help.

I really do not know what set me apart from others. The thing I know about how I feel about my job, it is rewarding. It makes me happy to work with those people. I cannot see myself working anywhere else. It is so a blessing to get to know people from all over the world and learn from them. I was in the same place of the resident’s life years ago I got help from people who work in Dash and now to be able to give to the community is a blessing. I want to know people about the dash network. It is one of the few organizations in the country to serve asylum seekers. Seeking Asylum may take 2 to 3 years without having a work permit. That means not having a job for this period would be very hard financially and emotionally. Asylum seekers do not have any government help to sustain their life during obtaining their work permits. seekers who do not have family members would end up being homeless till they get a work permit. Dash network exists to serve the vulnerable asylees during this difficult time.

I once was an Asylum seeker, A year later I got to know about Dash and get involved in the program through volunteer opportunities. I felt connected to many people, and I become one of the Dash family. Years later I joined an amazing team of workers. I cannot be thankful enough to work along with the skilled and talented workers and to serve the amazing Asylum seekers.

 

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

(Sharlyn Francis speaking now, Communication Coordinator for DASH)

I believe Selam’s resilience by coming to America at 17 and still continuing to get a college education and job working with others who are seeking asylum in America is the definition of resilience.

Contact Info:

• Website: dashnetwork.net
• Instagram: @dashnetwork
• Facebook: @thedashnetwork
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIe5kqoLcTXDxqz-dO8gB6w

Image Credits
Photo Credit: Kim Leeson for the Ariel view photo of the seamstress and then Photo Credit: Bond Studios for the three women from the back