Advocacy and Organizing
“If we don’t have people who are directly affected by the systems that be and the powers that be on the front lines converging with those who currently hold power, then we leave it up to the media and other entities to take control of who we are… and how we live in this country and in this world.”- Maria Cortez-Perez, CWS Grassroots Community Organizer
CWS’ long-term goal is to see that immigrants and refugees are treated equitably, with dignity and respect. Through our network of relationships and resettlement work, we know this goal is achievable. But it can’t be done without real and creative reform, and it can’t be done without building power among refugees.
Now is the time to advocate for that goal. Many factors push people away from their homes, and today we are facing the worst displacement and refugee crisis in global history. There are more than 31 million refugees worldwide, and with emerging humanitarian crises and climate-induced displacement quickly changing the landscape of where people can safely live, this trend is emblematic of the profound need for humanitarian protection. Despite this, we continue to see gaps in investment and education at the nation’s highest levels on how to safely, sustainably, and nimbly respond to forced migration.
Here’s what we’re doing to move people into action, and how you can be in relationship with that movement:
Get Involved in CWS’ Advocacy and Organizing Work
INVEST IN BUILDING POWER
CWS’ advocacy and organizing work has powerful, transformational outcomes that impact millions of people. This program's annual budget is under $2 million, and every dollar means more leaders who have refugee experience and exposure, more representation, more inclusivity across systems, and a more equitable future for all. Invest in this program with a donation.
Become a Grantmaking Partner
CWS’ advocacy and organizing work is entirely funded by private grants and a network of faith partnerships. Interested in learning more about how you as a grantmaker can partner in this work? Contact Mireille Cronin Mather, Vice President of Business Development at CWS.
BUILD COLLECTIVE POWER
CWS’ organizing and policy work - led largely by staff who have lived experience - currently equips its growing network of 2,000+ immigrant and refugee leaders in GA, MI, NC, OH, OR, PA, TX and VA to build collective power of their communities through trainings on leadership development, community organizing, storytelling, and team building. Learn more here about how you, as a refugee leader or ally, can support this work and the team driving it here.
Take Advocacy Action
CWS invites you to be part of a growing network of people, organizations, media organizations, and partners who will stand up for refugee and immigrant rights. Join us in helping each other and our elected officials imagine a more sustainable and responsive world of welcome.
Our action alerts include relevant links to additional resources, such as CWS policy statements and policy recommendations that are vetted by refugee leaders to provide key information to policy makers and the public on how legislation and state and national budgets can be more inclusive of and less harmful to new Americans.
Review Press Releases
Stay updated on CWS’s press statements on relevant current events and their impact on welcome.