The most patchwork square mile: integration of refugees and immigrants in a small American city

Through the example of a small city of Clarkston (Georgia, USA) chosen by the authorities for accommodating refugees, the article seeks to analyze the ways and forms of adaptation of refugees and immigrants to the new environment and the integration thereof into the host community. This objective is of interest, taking into account the increased mobility of populations which constitutes one of the factors of globalization and poses many challenges both regionally and globally - the fact that is reflected in academic discourse as well. The success of integration depends on the will and efforts of all parties: newcomers (both forced and voluntary) and long-term residents - and on the favourable conditions created by both the state and various institutions of civil society. The article deals with the activities of different non-governmental organizations (NGOs) aimed at integrating the 'new' Clarkstoners. Particular attention is paid to the role of religious organizations and their cooperation with other institutions of civil society and the state. The article is based on the analysis of author's field materials, NGOs' documents, press and literature. Drawing on those, it is concluded that the main actor in the processes of adaptation and integration of refugees and immigrants in the city of Clarkston is civil society. Despite the problems and difficulties, the Clarkston experiment proved to be quite successful due to a number of factors, particularly, the infrastructure of the city itself, its close proximity to wealthier districts, residents of which have the opportunity and are willing to engage in charitable and volunteer work, as well as to several university campuses, the Christian missionary work carried out here and the active Christian social service in the US Bible Belt.

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