LEXINGTON, Ky (LEX 18) A Congolese refugee family will land in Lexington Wednesday night and begin a new journey in the United States. Thanks to a few Lexington Police officers and other local groups, they’ve taken care of moving them into their new home.
As they step off the plane and walk into their home, it will be fully furnished thanks to donations from Centenary United Methodist Church and the labor of three off-duty Lexington Police Officers.
"That will be the end of a long journey to get here, and the beginning of their new life here in Lexington," said Holly McCord with the Centenary United Methodist Church.
"We try to help out with the community in Lexington, so they’re going to be a part of our community now," said Lexington Police Officer Blake Woodward.
Woodward and two other officers saw a help wanted Facebook post from a mutual friend. Having a flexible schedule, Woodward said that he couldn’t have found a more productive way to spend his day, helping a family feel welcome in an unfamiliar environment.
The officers will also buy the family’s first round of groceries in hopes that it relieves some of their stress and represents the welcoming community that Lexington has.
The Kentucky Refugee Ministry tells LEX 18 that the process to move to the US generally takes at least two years.
