Artwork stating 'Education Destroys Barriers', 'We Demand Treatment', and 'I Need A Chance'

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  • What We Can Learn from Costa Rica's Embrace of Migrants

    Despite its own troubled economy, Costa Rica has embraced a large influx of Nicaraguan refugees out of a recognition that immigration is an economic boon. The absorption of more than 28,000 migrants in one year, in a country of only 5 million people, has been aided by Costa Rica's existing population of Nicaraguans who fled earlier rounds of political and economic upheaval in their country. Those earlier migrants formed a network of aid organizations providing new arrivals with basic necessities, educational opportunity, connection to social services, and mental health support groups.

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  • Kindred care: Congolese refugee community takes care of its own, and others, during COVID-19

    Congolese refugees in Cleveland, Ohio have created a security net for the most vulnerable amongst them with the formation of Congolese Community of Greater Cleveland. Prior to the pandemic, CCGC helped Congolese refugees form a general sense of community but now it provides vital translation services for health updates and helps navigate the unemployment application process in addition to cash assistance. Current government initiatives are often inaccessible for those who don't have internet access, lack computer literacy, or don't have a car to access drive-through food banks. CCGC members step in to help.

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  • Sewing circle: How Women of the Global South helps refugees stitch together new lives in Brazil

    Refugee women arriving in Brazil have been able to achieve financial independence through the work of an organization called Women of the Global South, an organization that provides women with the tools and skills to sell textiles. In addition to providing entrepreneurial skills, it also helps refugee women with transportation, classes, sewing machines and even provides cash for emergencies and help getting in touch with family members they have been separated from.

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  • ‘I just need a connection': the refugees teaching languages across borders

    NaTakallam offers classes in Arabic, Spanish, Persian and French that are taught by refugees. The 64 teachers conduct classes with 770 students entirely online, allowing people from all over the world to learn from native speakers. It also circumvents work restrictions for refugees in their new homes, which means they can earn money. The group’s teachers also speak in university classes, offer translation services, and some now work on New York University’s Arabic-language program. Deep friendships that help combat the isolation experienced by many refugees have also emerged from the online classes.

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  • Promotoras: A community model with heart — and teeth

    Promotoras is a model used in Latin America since the 1950s, where respected community members perform health outreach and host events to answer questions about healthcare access and treatments. The program seeks to ensure that Latinx communities are not prevented from receiving quality healthcare because of traditional obstacles such as distrust, lack of transportation, lack of insurance, or language barriers. Research and surveys consistently show that this model achieves success by improving access to health services for the majority of people they interact with.

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  • Community groups step in to provide immigrants COVID testing, relief

    To meet the financial needs of undocumented immigrants caught in the gap left by the federal CARES Act pandemic relief program, the advocacy group Aliento has distributed financial aid, educated workers about unemployment benefits, and conducted outreach to young people and families. Aid checks of $500 are aimed at helping cover rent, utilities, and health care costs for families in which layoffs, particularly in the construction and hospitality industries, have caused hardships.

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  • Madison Latino Consortium steps in to provide safety net, cash to undocumented families

    In Dane Country, Wisconsin "a collective of advocacy, economic, educational, and health-care groups" are working together to connect undocumented immigrant families – who are not eligible for federal aid – with social services during the coronavirus pandemic. “They’re able to provide us with something, with food,” one resident said in regards to the Latino Consortium for Action. “Any little bit helps, and that’s been very good.”

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  • A nonprofit motorcycle club raises money for elderly members

    Senior citizens from the Assyrian community living in Chicago have relied on a motorcycle club for care packages as well as friendly visits from someone who speaks their language. With health guidelines and coronavirus information constantly changing, the language barrier faced by many Assyrian elders makes them even more isolated during the pandemic. Organizations that would typically step in to provide assistance, meal preparation, and translation services have had to cut back their services leaving the motorcycle club, known as the Assyrian Knights, filling an urgent need.

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  • Mask sewing project among Chicago refugee groups leads to new career goal: ‘This is my job'

    What started out as a way to help provide face masks to those who needed them during the Covid-19 pandemic, turned into a job skill training opportunity for some refugees in Chicago. Although the funds earned from participating in the project don't necessarily provide a living-wage, the participants have been able to learn skills – such as learning how to navigate public transportation – that increase independence.

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  • Civic Engagement Through Language and Transportation Access For Elderly Immigrants

    Elders’ Circle provides transportation and services to immigrant seniors, largely from Africa and the Caribbean. The goals of the organization are to help immigrant seniors be less socially isolated and more integrated into their communities, which has positive physical and mental health benefits. They offer a variety of programs, including dance, arts and crafts, intergenerational exchanges, and English classes. The seniors come from diverse backgrounds and speak many languages, so communication can be difficult, but the programs help seniors overcome barriers to make social connections.

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