#WorldRefugeeDay
Mother, Father, Neighbor, Business Owner, Teacher, Doctor, Community Leader, Friend.
From coast to coast refugee families add to the cultural, economic and social fabric of our communities. As individuals forced to flee their home countries due to conflict, persecution, or violence, refugees bring with them resilience, diverse perspectives, and a deep appreciation for the opportunities provided by their new home.
Who Are Refugees?
Did you know?
Refugees bring their talents, resilience and entrepreneurship to our cities and towns: starting businesses, creating jobs, paying taxes and driving local economies.
Refugees bring their food, music, art and customs, fostering more vibrant and diverse communities.
Refugees often fill critical front line jobs, including in healthcare, manufacturing, childcare and food services.
Refugees become U.S. citizens who vote, volunteer and frequently engage in community-building initiatives, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.
Americans who sponsor refugees or volunteer with local refugee service agencies will tell you time and again it is one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.
Learn More
Giving Back and Growing Hope on World Refugee Day: Javid’s Story
This past week ahead of World Refugee Day, I visited our local resettlement office in Harrisonburg, Virginia. While there I got the opportunity to meet with clients and volunteers and hear countless inspiring stories from our refugee clients like Javid from Afghanistan. Javid was born in Kabul, and completed his high school education before receiving a scholarship to study in …
Overcoming Obstacles, Finding Purpose
Samuel’s journey to Harrisonburg, Virginia on January 23, 2020, was anything but straightforward. Born in Eritrea, he later moved to Ethiopia at the age of 13 in 2015. After spending four years there, Samuel embarked on a new chapter when he left for the United States alongside his uncle. Neither of them spoke English upon arrival, which added to the …
Refuge and Gratitude from Iceland
CWS partners with the local Moldovan organization, Zdrovii Gorod (Healthy City), to support Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion, and psychosocial support. Olga was both a program participant and a volunteer at the center. She recently moved to Iceland with her daughter, Dasha. Below is a thank you letter she wrote to Zdorovii …
Bahar’s Determination for Change
Ever since she was a young girl, Bahar was aware of the inequalities that existed in her life in Iran. The older she got, the more prevalent the discrepancies became between her and her male peers. Bahar, however, came from an open-minded family and was constantly encouraged by her mother to fight for her rights and never settle. She went …
From Dance Teacher to Caregiver: Oleg’s Journey to Help Ukrainian War Refugees
In December 2016, Oleg, a professional dancer, visited Greensboro, North Carolina, to teach dance at local schools. After five years of working in the U.S., Oleg built a new life here with kids and a wife. Then the devastating war broke out in Ukraine. Feeling the need to help his fellow citizens who were fleeing the conflict, Oleg left his …
A Glimpse into the Path of a Refugee
When a person seeking asylum decides to leave their home in search of safety, they begin a journey that will require them to make many more difficult decisions. These decisions can include: do you risk bringing your child on the dangerous journey or leave them behind in the hopes of reunification? Do you get on the dinghy that promises to …
A Safe Home and a Warm Hug
If you had just 20 minutes to pack a small bag and leave the rest behind, possibly for forever, what would you pack? For Natalia, who fled Ukraine earlier this year, the answer to this question was: documents, necessary items for her son, her son’s favorite toy, books and some snacks. The limited belongings Ukrainians like Natalia have fled with …
Fatima Discovers her Greatest Potential
Becoming a mother at a young age, by choice or by force, is challenging on its own. For refugee women, this challenge can feel extra difficult because they have to face it in a country that is not their own. Young and single refugee mothers face significant challenges: they are often ostracized by their own communities and struggle to find …
New Skills Bring New Opportunities
When refugees are forced to flee their countries, they have to leave behind both what used to be and what could have been. This is especially true for young refugees, who lose the opportunity to explore their interests, learn new skills and pursue their dreams. Young refugees, who often flee alone, instead have to focus on survival as they navigate …