In January, we met Najla, a political refugee from Afghanistan. Initially, Najla, her husband Aaqil, and their two-year-old son Armin were staying at an extended-stay hotel near our food distribution. Six months later, we learned that they moved into their new apartment on the west side of San Jose. Najla shared she misses the community that she had among other Afghans who were living back at the extended stay hotel. Aaqil works a lot, and Najla is home alone most days entertaining Armin. In her loneliness, she says she has stopped pursuing her online education in computer sciences because she lost the motivation. Instead, Najla explains, “I want to work,” to contribute to household expenses, but it has been tough finding in-person employment opportunities that fit her husband’s work schedule. In Afghanistan, Najla dreamed of driving, which women couldn't do under the Taliban. Now, she has her driver’s permit and practices in empty parking lots. Aaqil proudly mentioned she recently drove them to a nearby grocery store. They have been buying food because they did not realize that free food from Second Harvest was available at distributions all over San Jose. They have been connected to our Food Connection team for support. #RefugeeStories
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In my latest column: how to answer a hard-working refugee who is considering leaving Tyson for Amazon?
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Cuba faces a dire humanitarian crisis. Families struggle through a broken economy. Relentless power cuts plunge communities into darkness for extended periods, while skyrocketing prices for basic necessities push them further towards desperation. The most devastating consequence, however, is the spectre of hunger that stalks these vulnerable populations. Unpaid wages for months on end have stripped them of the ability to provide even the most basic sustenance for their loved ones. Each passing day threatens further lives. Amidst this bleak landscape, Go Dharmic has begun working on the ground in Cuba to provide essential relief. Recently, our dedicated volunteers managed to reach 89 individuals in dire need, supplying them with critical food and vital vitamin and nutrient supplements. However, the scale of the crisis far outstrips our current capacity. We’re looking to mobilise more volunteers, find robust partners, and leverage local networks to meet the immediate challenges. #GoDharmic #Poverty #EndHunger #Cuba #SDG #Volunteer
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It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of a young 5 year old boy who tragically lost his life in a temporary migrant shelter located in the city’s Pilsen neighborhood. This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need to address the conditions faced by migrants in shelters. As a Latino, Hispanic, father, I cannot help but wonder: how do we allow this to happen? How do we fail to protect the most vulnerable among us? How do we turn a blind eye to the suffering of our brothers and sisters? A mother, who came to this country in search of a better life, had to endure the challenges of navigating a new culture, facing a freezing winter for the very first time, and now losing her son too. This is unjust. In the face of adversity, I am taking a stand. I am in the process of developing a robust, scalable, and reproducible refugee family sponsorship plan. This initiative is not just a plan, but a promise to address three fundamental needs: housing, education, and employment. Built on the bedrock of education, this plan aims to provide immediate relief and long-term stability to families in need. However, I cannot do this alone. I need the support and input of knowledgeable Chicagoans who care about the plight of migrants in our city. How can we address the crisis specifically in the three areas of housing, education and employment? I invite you to share your advice and knowledge with me and join this conversation. Many people are struggling in this season of giving, and they need our help. How have you been helping others in your community? What thoughts and ideas do you have to inspire sharing of gifts and talents? Please share your comments below. Together, we can make a difference. #SeasonOfGiving #ChicagoMigrantRights #EducationForAll #FamilySponsorship #HousingForAll #EmploymentOpportunities #CommunitySupport #KindnessMatters #BeTheChange #MakeADifference
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🚨 Press Update | Lebanon Concern Worldwide has partnered with Nusaned to deliver humanitarian aid to families forced to flee their homes due to attacks near the Lebanon-Israel border, reaching up to 1,000 families with nutrition support. "Around 80,000 people, forced to flee their homes due to ongoing conflict, now find themselves displaced and living in shelters without access to basic necessities," said Concern's Country Director in Lebanon, Sherzada Khan. "With Irish Aid funding, we are addressing the pressing needs of internally displaced people, including many children and elderly people." In addition to nutrition support, Concern is providing displaced families who are sheltering from the conflict in school classrooms with clean drinking water, mattresses, pillows, blankets, and diapers. Hussein Ali Ez Al Deen (42), who fled from his hometown on the border with Israel with his wife and three children, said: “...I hope that the war ends so we can go back to our home.” A country with a population of 5.2 million, Lebanon is the world's biggest host of refugees per capita. Concern has worked in Lebanon since 2013, and is simultaneously responding to the needs of Lebanese, Syrian, and Palestinian people living in the north of the country where temperatures plummet at this time of year. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about any aspect of our work, please get in touch with Candance Patel-Taylor. #HumanitarianResponse #Displacement #Lebanon #ConcernWorldwide
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The world's population is closing in on 8 billion and just as rapidly as that number is increasing, so is the number of displaced people. Mosaik helps those people who are forced to flee find ways into further education. We’ve seen the percentage of refugees accessing university rise to 6% in the last few years, but there is still plenty of work to do. Help refugees to live a life beyond survival. Donate here: https://buff.ly/3Ys1yWd . . . . . . . #MosaikEducation #WithRefugees #LearningThroughTechnology #EdTech #Refugees #Refugee #EducationForRefugees #RightToEducation #TheOtherOnePercent #DisplacedPersons #HigherEducation #RefugeeForum #refugeeswelcome #education #migrants #politics #humanity #peace #europe #policy #news #government #abolishice #migration #standwithukraine #humanrights #ukraine #climatejustice
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Who are refugees? They are people forced to leave their homes because of violence, conflict, or persecution. There have been several news stories very recently about tragedies happening to people fleeing their countries. The world is seeing the highest levels of displacement ever recorded. Many refugees come to the United States hoping to start a new life and gain stability and safety for their families. Many are suffering from PTSD as a result of the experiences they've faced. But they have to move on for the sake of their families. They quickly need to find housing, work, and get their kids into school. At Workplace Talent Solutions, we help businesses support these new Americans. We offer support for refugees who are trying to learn the language and the culture of a new country. If you share our heart for refugees, there are many ways to offer support. Consider starting or joining a refugee welcome group. Or get in touch with a local resettlement agency to find other ways to support refugees. Local organizations: Church World Service: https://loom.ly/GCrNHpM Bethany Christian Services: https://loom.ly/EoTFF78 Welcome Corps: https://loom.ly/QDWzRzs #worldrefugeeday
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Imagine fleeing your home in search of safety, escaping war and persecution, only to be met with more added trauma. Across the UK, our caseworkers are having to hand out sleeping bags and tents to people who’ve recently been granted refugee status but now face life on the streets. When people seeking asylum receive their refugee status, the Home Office allows them just 28 days to move on – to find accommodation, mainstream benefits, or employment. It's simply not enough time. Some people have had only 7 days notice to find new accommodation The mental health impact of this is shocking. For people going through the asylum system, this next step is deeply demoralising. The government needs to do more to support refugees. Learn more about our urgent calls to the government: https://lnkd.in/eZ3UcWFC | #EveryRefugeeMatters
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There are many misconceptions surrounding refugees. This #WorldRefugeeDay, we invite you to challenge yours. Being a refugee is an experience, not an identity. Displaced people are small business owners, setting up restaurants, convenience stores, and other services for their new communities. They’re aspiring journalists, poets, artists, and embroiderers. They’re parents and caretakers. They’re human. But before they can start to set down roots, they need resources. Unfortunately, many traditional financial services often say “no” to lending to refugees. The Kiva community says “yes”. Do you believe that refugees deserve the resources they need to rebuild after leaving their lives behind? Help us transform the narrative. Every share of this post has the power to help us change outdated perceptions about refugees.
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Join me TONIGHT to learn about how YOU CAN HELP.
We need your help - Learn more on March 6, 7:30 PM. In the coming weeks and months, JIAS will be welcoming sponsored refugees from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and Uganda who have been accepted for resettlement in Canada. Be part of this life changing effort and volunteer as part of a Constituent Group to provide hands-on settlement support to refugees during their first year in Canada. Join us on March 6, 7:30 PM to learn more about this opportunity and how you can help. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gpuJ82Cc #VolunteerForChange #RefugeeSupport #volunteer
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