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Ferdinant Mevlani: Giving other refugees a "chance to have dreams"
Ferdi Mevlani
Photo: Carol Fouke-Mpoyo
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He came to the United States as a refugee himself. Now the head of a Church World Service resettlement affiliate, Ferdinant ("Ferdi") Mevlani is helping other refugees build new lives in their new community.
Ferdi is one of six former refugees who now head CWS refugee resettlement offices in Fort Worth, Texas; Columbia, South Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Harrisonburg, Virginia; Lincoln, Nebraska, and Denver, Colorado. Here is his profile.
Ferdinant Mevlani, Executive Director
Ecumenical Refugee Services (ERS)
Denver, Colorado
Nationality: Albanian.
Education: Two-year university program in restaurant management; bachelor's in business administration.
Refugee story: Fled one of the world's most repressive dictatorships with the unwitting assistance of the Albanian army. Conscripted for military service, he was assigned to the Albanian-Yugoslavian border, facilitating his escape to Yugoslavia.
Arrived in United States: December 22, 1985, to Boise, Idaho. "Religion was repressed totally in Albania. I came at Christmastime and didn't even know what Christmas was."
Sponsor: "Unfortunately I've lost this information."
Congregational cosponsor: "None per se, but volunteers gave me furniture for my apartment and taught me how to grocery shop. They were extremely helpful. It would have been much more difficult for me if they were not involved with my resettlement."
First big surprise: "That you could go to a grocery store and actually buy any kind of food you wanted and eat anytime you wanted."
Most challenging: "The language. There were no Albanian translators in Boise at that time, and there was so much I didn't understand, and I had no one to explain things to me. I had to learn English very fast." Also challenging: missing family.
What you still laugh about: "I thought everyone in America was nice and no one would ever steal from you. With my first paycheck, I bought a bike. I was so excited I rode it home and ran in to show my friends my new bike. When I came out a few minutes later, it was gone. I couldn't believe someone would take my brand-new bike. I laugh at how naive I was."
First U.S. jobs: In a factory, making computer chips (1985-87, Boise). Moved to Denver in 1987 and worked in dinner theater and family and fine-dining restaurants in positions from waiter to manager.
Jobs with ERS: Kosovar caseworker (hired 1999), asylee case manager and employment specialist, Match Grant coordinator and employment supervisor, current position.
Languages: Albanian, Serbia-Croatian, Italian, Russian, English.
Countries visited: Yugoslavia, Italy, Greece, France.
Country most want to visit next: Norway, "one of the world's most beautiful countries."
Family information: He and his wife have two children, ages 12 and 16. Father and a sister are in Albania, a brother in Greece, and a sister in Italy.
Hero: "My mother."
Favorite books: The Harry Potter books.
Favorite movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.
Favorite music: "My kids have really gotten me into hip hop."
Interests outside of work: Public education, youth sports. "Our children play all kinds of sports, and I feel it has helped shape them. Sports participation is very structuring and teaches them teamwork. I would love to start a program for refugee kids."
Why should the United States welcome refugees? "I believe the United States is such a great country because it welcomes refugees. It was made by people from around the world believing in one dream and one country where everyone can live in peace and not be persecuted for who they are or what they believe. My children are U.S.-born: they could become President! They have grown up believing they can do anything. America gives refugees the chance to have dreams."
How is it different for refugees resettling in the U.S. now than it was for you? "Agencies have improved so much over the years. Through education, refugees learn how to adapt to their new country. Also, networking with other agencies has improved greatly."
Why do you help other refugees? "My wife and I have volunteered at ERS since 1990, and we have cosponsored many refugees. The feeling we get from helping them has only enhanced our lives. When the opportunity came to work with them, I didn't hesitate. It's the most rewarding job I could have ever wanted."
What is your first counsel to a newly arrived refugee? "Learn English as quickly as possible. Work hard – your dreams are within your reach. Teach your children their culture while living in another country. Never forget where you came from."
Fourth in a series of articles profiling former refugees who now head CWS resettlement affiliates.
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