Fraternity-Testvériség, 1958 (36. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1958-02-01 / 2. szám
FRATERNITY 11 cation, health and welfare needs, special personal problems and progress toward integration. According to Dr. Shuster and Dr. Young the chief findings were as follows: 1. The most satisfactory arrangements for resettlement were those made through organizations and especially where there was a planned resettlement program. 2. The most effective resettlement was accomplished in communities where there was “concerted and co-ordinated community action”. This coordination usually took the form of a Mayor’s committee or local resettlement committee composed of a cross-section of local organizations and agencies. 3. Americans of Hungarian background were praised for their indispensable usefulness as translators and for their generous gifts of time and money. 4. Employment as such did not constitute a major problem in most communities. Jobs were rapidly found for the vast majority of breadwinners — faster than with any recent refugee group. Almost without exception communities reported that the Hungarians were skilled, well trained and educated. 5. Housing presented no major problem. Most refugees were able to move quickly from temporary accommodations into permanent housing. The principal housing problem was that of finding proper accommodations for the unaccompanied youth and single men. An auxiliary problem was unfamiliarity with American apartment living, household appliances and gadgets. 6. The most difficult resettlement problem was the language barrier. Very few spoke English or any language other than their native tongue. The language barrier complicated communication — search for employment, counselling assistance and qualifying for jobs. The young men were particularly frustrated when kept from employment because of the language problem. 7. Community response to the need for language study was overwhelming. Classes were held under local public education, as well as private agency sponsoring. By and large, the need for English classes was adequately met throughout the country. 8. The Hungarian refugees have not presented any serious health or welfare needs. Short term financial assistance was needed for housing, home furnishings, clothing, etc., until earnings were adequate, and the American communties responded generously. The refugees as a whole were a remarkably healthy and vigorous lot. Dental care was one of their few major health needs. In cases of bad health the communities again responded with adequate medical care through private or public sources, although in the latter case residence requirements frequently had to be waived. 9. Counselling and guidance services were vital and key factors in enabling the refugees to meet the sudden, complicated problems of a new world, new country and new way of life. Counselling and case work service will continue to be needed.
