5 Organizations That Empower Refugees
Having to flee a country because of war or persecution is a situation that should elicit empathy in everyone. Unfortunately, refugees increasingly face distrust, oppression, and violence from governments around the world, making their desperate asylum-seeking an activity fraught with danger. The organizations included here are fighting to change this, offering a variety of supportive services to vulnerable displaced populations. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Groups Supporting Refugees
| Organization | Mission |
|---|---|
| Kentucky Refugee Ministries | Provide resettlement services to refugees through faith- and agency-based co-sponsorship in order to promote self-sufficiency and successful integration into the community |
| Techfugees | Empower displaced humans and support tech innovation that’s designed by, with, and for them |
| Refuge Coffee | Serve the global community in Clarkston, Georgia through coffee-related job creation, job training, social networking, and commerce |
| Breaking Barriers | Help refugees in London acquire the knowledge, confidence, and experience to get stable, fulfilling employment |
| Refugee Community Kitchen | Support displaced people in Northern France and homeless people in London through hot meals and space for community services |
The Mission of Refuge Coffee
The Difference Between Refugees And Immigrants
| Refugee | Immigrant | |
|---|---|---|
| Life has been uprooted abruptly | ||
| Visiting home is typically not an option | ||
| Basic needs may be urgently needed | ||
| Arrangements in new country usually made ahead of time | ||
| Personal business is settled before leaving | ||
| Time to prepare for the transition | ||
| Leaving behind family, friends, and home | ||
| Dealing with culture shock | ||
| May need to learn a new language | ||
| Looking for new opportunities |
Spreading Kindness With Refugee Community Kitchen
In Depth
Violence, famine, persecution, poverty, and war have prompted people to flee their countries in search of a better life. As a result, millions of displaced people inhabit refugee camps all around the world. While some societies harbor hostile feelings towards immigrants, others are readily accepting of them. In no particular order, here are 5 organizations dedicated to empowering refugees.
First up at #1 is Kentucky Refugee Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to welcoming refugees to Kentucky and helping them transform their lives. It was founded in 1990 by Donna Craig and is driven by the fact that there are more than 65 million internally displaced people in the world. KRM provides resettlement services to immigrants with the aim of promoting self-sustenance.
KRM helps refugees settle in Kentucky by giving them access to services such as housing placements for the first few months as well as employment training and language classes to improve their English. The organization also involves them in health and wellness programs meant to improve the physical and mental health of the refugees so as to overcome the trauma of fleeing home. Help the group sustain its operations by getting involved either as a volunteer or a partner.
The organization also involves them in health and wellness programs meant to improve the physical and mental health of the refugees so as to overcome the trauma of fleeing home.
Coming at #2 is Techfugees, a non-profit organization that coordinates committed tech innovators to come up with solutions that will ensure displaced people meet their needs such as health, employment, and education. It was founded in 2015 by Mike Butcher who called upon the technology community to respond to the European refugee crisis. Some of the partners the organization works with include Google, Lemonade, Sookio, and iHorizon.
The group operates internationally through a global network of social entrepreneurs, researchers, and techies based in various places around the world. Together, they have worked on various projects such as Basefugees, a web-platform where the Techfugees community can communicate, and the Techfugees Global Summit, an annual seminar where tech innovators gather to discuss how innovation can help refugees. Make a contribution through its website and help the organization empower displaced people through technology.
At #3 is Refuge Coffee, a non-profit company that serves the immigrant community in Clarkston, Georgia, by offering coffee-related job training, job creation, and social networking. It was founded by Kitti Murray after she realized that there was a large community of immigrants struggling to find employment that would help them provide for their families. The business is committed to paying a living wage to its employees while offering them a year-long training program centered on helping the refugees achieve the American dream.
It was founded by Kitti Murray after she realized that there was a large community of immigrants struggling to find employment that would help them provide for their families.
Refuge Coffee operates barista carts and trucks for hire where clients are catered to completely by immigrants. In addition to helping refugees earn a living wage as baristas, the business also supports them by organizing the annual Refuge Coffee Run with the aim of raising funds to facilitate provision of training and employment for refugees. Help the organization continue its work by making a contribution on its website.
Next up at #4 is Breaking Barriers, a charity organization dedicated to helping refugees in London gain knowledge, confidence, and experience to get meaningful job opportunities. It was founded by Matthew Powell who realized the need to help the thousands of immigrants settle into society after acquiring asylum status. The organization believes that every immigrant in London can fulfill their potential by getting jobs that are in line with their skills and experience and has helped over 800 refugees since 2015.
Breaking Barriers is able to realize its vision through enrolling refugees in an education program where they are taught English among other training courses to increase their employability. It provides personalized employment support to assist them in finding the right job and getting their career started. The organization also partners with businesses across London to help immigrants get jobs. Aid the organization in its efforts of helping refugees by making a one-off donation on its website.
It provides personalized employment support to assist them in finding the right job and getting their career started.
Finally at #5 is Refugee Community Kitchen, an organization that serves hot, nourishing food to tens of thousands of displaced people in France and the UK. The RCK was founded by Sam Jones, Steve Bedlam, Janie Macintyre, and Paula Gallardo in December 2015 and has since served over two million meals. It serves over 1,500 hot meals a day, 7 days every week to refugee camp residents in Calais and Dunkirk.
The Refugee Community Kitchen prides itself in being a communal effort. This means that it is entirely volunteer-run and donor funded. It not only provides refugees with a hot meal, it also provides them with a place from where they can gather and socialize, thus creating a space where they can receive medical services as well as other forms of support. Make a donation on its website and help the organization meet its target of serving over 1,300 portions every day.
