Here's how you can help refugees in the Triangle
Adam Clark, the director of World Relief Durham, says the group's warehouse is overflowing with furniture, clothes and kitchenware.
Instead of more supplies, Clark asks people to donate their money and time for refugees.
"We want to urge people to continue to advocate as well," Clark said. "That would tell people who they can call and who they can write letters to urge our leaders to continue bipartisan support for the refugee program."
Many leaders of refugee resettlement groups had the same message. The Trump administration capped the number of refugees who may enter the country this year at 45,000, a lower limit than under past administrations.
"The U.S. will not be a migrant camp and it will not be a refugee holding facility, it won't be," President Donald Trump said last week amid fallout from separations of migrant parents and children at the border.
Here are some organizations that people can contact if they want to help refugees and immigrants in the Triangle.
World Relief Durham: World Relief Durham is a Christian organization. It assists with refugee resettlement and integrating refugees into the Durham community.
What they need:
▪ School teachers to volunteer: World Relief Durham will be hosting a summer camp for children from refugee families. The group needs teachers and volunteers because part of the camp’s program is to make sure these kids are ready for the upcoming academic year.
▪ Donations: It costs $75 for a child to attend this summer camp, and there are about 90 applicants. Donors could sponsor a child.
▪ Backpacks: World Relief Durham holds a backpack drive at the end of the summer so these kids have the school supplies they need.
Phone number: 919-286-3496
Address: 801 Gilbert St., Durham, NC 27701
USCRI-NC: The USCRI-NC assists with refugee resettlement, and establishes a five-year relationship with the families. It provides English classes and vocational training and assists with other everyday tasks.
What they need:
▪ Car seats: Scott Phillips, the field office director, says the group needs car seats because they are important for transporting families.
▪ Money: Financial donations at USCRI-NC are used to get refugees vocational training and opportunities
▪ Volunteers: USCRI-NC works with about 1,200 clients.
Phone number: 919-334-0072
Address: 3824 Barrett Dr., Raleigh, NC 27609
Refugee Community Partnership: The partnership does not do resettlement. Instead, it works with refugees to provide them the skills to find jobs. Volunteers work with families one-on-one.
What they need:
▪ Volunteers: Volunteers work directly with families. They help families identify their needs, set goals and achieve those goals.
▪ Donate: Madison Hayes, the executive director, says it's one of the first things people can do to get involved.
Phone number: 919-590-5910
Hours: 117 W. Main St., Carrboro, NC 27510
Church World Service: Located in Durham, the group helps refugees settle into the area. They help connect them with resources and tools so they can settle into their new homes.
What they need:
▪ Amazon wish list: It's on the group's website and full of items refugee families need, but can’t afford. It doesn't generally accept furniture, except small items like liftable couches or twin-sized beds.
▪ Volunteers: According to Monique Lohmeyer, the refugee services coordinator, volunteers help with language and job skills. Their work could be as simple as walking around Durham with a family to show them the parks or bus stops.
Phone number: 919-680-4310
Address: 112 S. Duke St. #4B, Durham, NC 27701
This story was originally published June 25, 2018 at 3:15 PM with the headline "Here's how you can help refugees in the Triangle."