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World Refugee Day is this Sunday!
An international day designated by the U.N. to honor refugees around the globe, World Refugee Day celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
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Want to Help?
We are expecting a large increase in the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. over the next year. There are many ways you can help welcome these new Americans!
Volunteer. Volunteers are needed as mentors, tutors, family friends, drivers, and more. Contact the USCRI office near you: Albany, NY; Cleveland, OH; Des Moines, IA; Detroit, MI; Erie, PA: Raleigh, NC; or Colchester, VT. (Not near a USCRI office? Find one of our partner agencies throughout the U.S.)
Collect Items. Newly-arrived refugees need clothing, food, school supplies, and furniture. Contact your closest USCRI office (see links above) to find out what is needed. Please check with us before collecting any items.
Donate. Your cash donation helps USCRI provide critical services to each refugee family. If you're able, please consider a monthly gift to provide USCRI with sustaining support throughout the year. Donate now.
Sponsor a Family. Your faith organization, business, or civic group is invited to sponsor a refugee family. This involves creating a safe and comfortable home for a refugee family, as well as supporting, empowering, and becoming an ally to the family during their first year in the U.S. Contact [email protected] for more information.
Advocate. President Biden has set a goal to admit 125,000 refugees next year, and USCRI stands ready to help make this happen. To reach this goal, we will need funding to rebuild and strengthen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). Contact your representatives in Congress to support full funding for the USRAP.
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Meet Bienvenue. He came to Erie, PA as a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo with his mother, sister, and niece. As their native language is Kinyarwanda, they had to start learning English once they arrived. However, because his sister is deaf, she has been learning American Sign Language.
With USCRI's help, the girls received Chromebooks for remote schooling and Bienvenue started a new job. “I am the one who earns money for our family. USCRI Erie connected me with a good job at Stanganelli’s Italian Foods. Now, I have worked there for one year, and will receive a raise,” says Bienvenue. We are proud of him and know he will go far!
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We'd love to hear YOUR immigration story!
This month, we're asking people to share their stories on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #StoriesOfHope. Be sure to tag @uscridc!
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