Open Doors for Refugees

We are looking for sponsors! Join Open Doors for Refugees at the annual community picnic on Sunday, September 15th at Olin Park. This family-friendly event will feature a variety of activities, delicious food, and live music entertainment, providing a perfect opportunity for resettled refugees and long-term Madison residents to come together and build connections. For more information about our sponsorship packages: https://lnkd.in/e8V9Eg7c To enquire about a sponsorship, please contact [email protected]

In June, President Biden issued an Executive Order significantly restricting asylum access at the southern border. The EO aims to deter immigration by limiting the number of immigrants who can enter the country, barring asylum seekers for temporary periods, and increasing screening requirements for other forms of humanitarian protection. These new limitations are unlikely to reduce the number of migrant arrivals at the southern border, and may further harm those in already desperate circumstances. Read more about the Executive Order and the danger it poses to asylum seekers on our website. #odfrmadison #refugeesupport #refugeesinwisconsin

World Refugee Day - Message from ODFR Executive Director As Matt Reynolds, Country Representative for the U.N.'s Refugee Agency UNHCR in the United States and the Caribbean, stated, “World Refugee Day is an occasion to recognize the courage, strength, talent, and contributions of the more than 120 million people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to violence, war or persecution. This is also a day when we remember the long history and tradition of welcoming refugees in the United States and into our communities.” For those who have known me for a while, you know that I always say that nobody leaves their home behind unless it is completely necessary. It is probably the hardest thing that any of us would do so we must be forced to do it, to save our lives. Leaving home behind means leaving our family, our dear ones, our culture, and our properties; and becoming vulnerable strangers in a new land. When a refugee family arrives in our neighborhood, it opens the doors for us to a new opportunity to grow, learn, and enjoy the beauty of the immense diversity that is around us. Every person brings a lot to share. Every family is a sign of hope for a better place and a new journey. There are many challenges for our families and our communities, but it is up to us to overcome those challenges as a team and create opportunities out of them. I invite everyone to experience these opportunities by participating in refugee events in the community whenever they are available, supporting a refugee entrepreneur with a new business, financially supporting an organization that helps refugee families, welcoming new refugee families at your children's school, volunteering for refugee programs in need. Even when you exercise your vote or your voice, do it with them in mind. All these kinds of help can make a huge difference. We are all making Madison a better place for everyone, and we hope we can all enjoy the beauty that our diverse community allows us to experience. We are very privileged to be selected as a city of destination. Let’s make it an even more extraordinary opportunity by participating and making a difference. Today, on this special World Refugee Day, I would like to thank all the volunteers, donors, community helpers, and people who work tirelessly for the well-being of our refugee families in Madison. Thank you for all the work you do every day to help, to improve the system and to welcome our new neighbors in Madison. We couldn’t do it without your help. If you want to learn more about Open Doors for Refugees work, here is the link to our website: https://lnkd.in/gSEyBkVs if you would like to donate to help our work and the work of many on this special day, you can donate at: https://lnkd.in/gZpBfz-e #WorldRefugeeDay #worldrefugeeday2024 #refugeesupport #refugeerights #refugeesarewelcomehere #OdFr #opendoorforrefugees #community #communitysupport

Thanks to The Overture Center for its outreach to Open Doors for Refugees for a set of complimentary tickets which we shared with ODFR volunteers and Afghan community members. We feel lucky to have all these in our community: Afghan newcomers, dedicated volunteers, and the Overture, which brings tremendous performances to Madison. Special thank you Dr. Ida Balderrama-Trudell for all your help and support in coordinating this incredible opportunity for our community members.

For Immediate Release June 11, 2024 Cecilia Gillhouse, Executive Director (608) 616-9048 [email protected] ODFR Efrat Livny Named 2024 Woman of Distinction   Open Doors for Refugees’ Efrat Livny Named Woman of Distinction Madison, Wisconsin - Open  Doors for Refugees is delighted to share that its co-founder, Efrat Livny, will receive the YWCA's prestigious 2024 Woman of Distinction Leadership Award for her lifelong work in our community. The award honors women whose vision, initiatives, and investments have contributed to justice and inclusivity.            In 2016, as refugees poured out of Syria, Efrat Livny felt dismayed at the lack of an effective response to the catastrophe. An immigrant herself and daughter of a holocaust survivor, Efrat invited members of the Madison community to a “Soup for Syria” event. Sharing Middle Eastern soup inspired the sold-out crowd to imagine how Madisonian might respond meaningfully to the refugee crisis. Meetings followed, and Efrat Livny, with co-founder Ken Baun, launched Open Doors for Refugees in Madison.              “One of the growing challenges of our world,” says Efrat, “is attending to displaced people. I am proud of the work Open Doors for Refugees has been able to do in Madison as the refugee landscape continually shifts and becomes more complex.”             Open Doors for Refugees looks forward to continuing its work with Efrat to help refugees make a home in the Madison area, celebrate their cultures and contributions, and accelerate their progress towards self-reliance and community involvement. We are honored to be part of the critical work of organizations such as the YWCA, to eliminate racism and to promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all in our community.             The ticketed YMCA Women of Distinction Awards Ceremony will take place June 20, 2024, on World Refugee Day, at Garver Feed Mill in Madison from 5:30 pm -7:30 pm.      Info: [email protected] Web: OpenDoorsForRefugees.org Mailing Address: ODFR, 116 N. Few St., Suite 3, Madison WI 53703 ###