Local refugee youths are feeling extra fortunate – and warm – this winter. Nearly 200 recent immigrants and refugees received brand new scarves, hats and mittens, thanks to dedicated volunteers in the Lucky Seniors program at Asian Services in Action.

With the help of a $1,000 grant from the Vernon L. Odom Fund of Akron Community Foundation, these senior volunteers knitted 175 winter clothing items for children whose families recently emigrated from Asian countries like Burma, Thailand and Uzbekistan. According to Mao Vue, a coordinator of the program, these families often arrive unprepared for winter in greater Akron, which is much more severe than in the refugees’ native countries.

“Many families are surprised [by] northeast Ohio’s weather,” Vue said. “Imagine going to a country where the people are different, the language is different, and the environment is the opposite of what you are used to.”

Vue said countries like Burma, located in Southeast Asia, have tropical climates that are often characterized by scorching heat. In the rare occasion that it gets cold, a light sweater is typically enough for people to keep warm. As a result, relocating families are unprepared for the biting cold and snow that often accompany winter in northeast Ohio.

Last winter, Vue said a refugee parent came to pick up her child from Sam Salem Community Learning Center wearing sandals, calf-length pants and a sweatshirt. She had walked almost two miles to the school without socks, long pants or a coat.

“The principal, my staff and I were all quite shocked by her clothing and shoes,” Vue said. “Thankfully, the principal was quick thinking and went to go grab a coat from their lost-and-found box for her. Sadly, we could not provide any shoes.”

Although this was a severe case, Vue said it is common for refugee parents and their children to have only light linen clothing, flip-flops and seasonal jackets. Volunteers in ASIA’s Lucky Seniors program saw this need and decided to knit as many warm items as they could for children in kindergarten through 12th grade whose families are at or below the federal poverty guideline.

“It is important to me as a volunteer to create these hats and scarves for people who are new to the United States,” said Nancy Koo, one of the senior knitters who is herself an immigrant to the U.S. “I want them to feel welcome to this new country. To provide a little of something to give them comfort is rewarding.”  

Seniors who participate in the program are at least 60 years old and are either Korean or Chinese. Vue said many of the seniors, like Koo, find satisfaction in helping the new refugees because they used to be in the same position.

“With these refugees, it is quite impossible to go back to their country for fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion,” Vue said. “Often, coming to the United States will provide them a safe, secure and better opportunity for them and their children.”

The grant from the Vernon L. Odom Fund allowed program coordinators to purchase yarn, knitting needles and other materials for the project. Volunteers originally set a goal of knitting 130 items, but over the course of five months, the seniors were able to create at least 175 hats, scarves and mittens for approximately 120 youths in programs at Sam Salem Community Learning Center, the International Community Empowerment Project and others.

“I hope that one day, when they look back on what we (the seniors) provided, they will do the same for new immigrants and refugees,” Koo added.

At least one young girl is already thankful for her new winter clothing. “I never had hats or scarves until I came to America; the weather in Thailand is hot,” said Then Then Lang. “I really liked all the pretty colors on the scarves. Thank you.”