The Schultz Family Foundation, Stand Together Foundation, the Starbucks Foundation, and Hello Neighbor have announced the recipients of the Mobilizing America for Refugees Fund, which was created to engage 10,000-plus U.S. volunteers to help resettle their new Afghan neighbors. One of the organizations receiving support is Every Campus a Refuge (ECAR) at Guilford College.
Collectively, the four organizations are investing $1.3 million to support 60 community-based organizations in 32 states with Afghan resettlement efforts.
"This funding from the Schultz Foundation will allow us to focus on mobilizing partnerships between N.C. colleges and universities and their local refugee-resettlement agencies, community-based organizations, and other service providers to provide a softer landing and a stronger beginning to Afghan evacuees resettling in our state," says Diya Abdo, English professor and the Founder of Every Campus a Refuge.
ECAR, founded in September 2015, is a Center for Principled Problem Solving and Excellence in Teaching initiative that calls on every college and university to partner with their local refugee-resettlement agencies. The idea is that campuses have everything necessary – housing, food, care, and skills – to temporarily take in refugees and support them as they begin their lives in new homes.
Thousands of Afghans have been forced to flee their homeland, many because of threats to their lives and livelihoods due to their association with the U.S. The Mobilizing America for Refugees Fund is investing in local organizations like ECAR that are committed to creating opportunities for Americans across the country to directly engage in welcoming and helping Afghan newcomers integrate into their new communities. These organizations provide a range of volunteer-led services, including welcoming events, English instruction, driving lessons, job navigation, school enrollment, clothing, household goods and furniture, and transportation to doctors' visits.
To learn more about the grant, read the full press release from the Schultz Foundation. Established in 1996 by Sheri and Howard Schultz, former CEO and Chairman Emeritus of Starbucks, the Schultz Foundation creates pathways of opportunity for populations facing barriers to success. It focuses on youth transitioning to adulthood and marginalized populations, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities.
Visit the Every Campus a Refuge website to learn how to give or get involved in your community.