Just as local refugee and immigrant-serving organizations have had to scale back and reduce staff in the past few years, there has been an increase in demand for their services due to recent world events.
The volatile situation in multiple countries, including Afghanistan and Ukraine, has resulted in individuals and families being airlifted out in a matter of days—leaving, in many cases, literally everything behind.
As a result, hundreds (and potentially thousands) of refugees are coming to, or are already in, central Ohio. This shift happened so quickly that local nonprofit organizations that help resettle them have had very little time to plan and ramp up resources and critical, basic needs like weather-appropriate clothing and housing.
The refugees eligible for resettlement services face tremendous challenges, particularly in the areas of housing, employment, and legal status. The pandemic has exacerbated the most difficult aspects—from social supports, employment availability, and working conditions to housing, family reunification, and the immigration process itself.
We live in a dynamic, welcoming community where our neighbors come from countries around the world. Immigrants and refugees help weave the fabric of our community, but they often arrive in the United States with little more than the hope for a better future. With your generous partnership, we hope to provide critical, immediate funding to those on the front lines of welcoming, and continuing support for, individuals and families who are new to our community.
RECIPIENT ORGANIZATIONS
MISSION:
Protect and defend family unity and community stability through legal services to vulnerable, low-income immigrants and refugees.
MISSION:
Help refugees and immigrants reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency, and achieve successful integration into the central Ohio community.
MISSION:
To be the focal point of integration for immigrants, refugee families, and low-income individuals in central Ohio in order to improve the quality of their lives, to facilitate their integration through education, training, supportive services, resettlement, self-development opportunities, and to increase the awareness of their culture and heritage in central Ohio.
MISSION:
Advancing educational justice for refugee and immigrant youth, Fugees Family empowers refugees and immigrants to integrate successfully into their new country by providing them the support and structure they need to realize their vast potential.
MISSION:
Helping individuals and families achieve economic self-sufficiency and emotional stability.
MISSION:
Provide civil legal aid and advocacy to combat unfairness and injustice and to help people rise out of poverty.
MISSION:
Assist refugees and immigrants who have escaped wars, violence, tyranny, and extreme poverty to find safe haven in central Ohio.