Colorado Refugee Services Program

Here's a good resource and piece of research. Helps message how resettlement as a humanitarian response to the world wide crisis is an investment in our common good.

Analysis | Within 7 years, refugees are self-sufficient and contributing to the U.S., on average We checked use of food stamps, household income, employment status, and language skills.

Yesterday I was biking to a pot luck event at Hidden Brook Apartments where many of the residents are refugees. As I was passing through the neighborhood of Montclair, I began seeing signs posted on lawns and side strips. I stopped to take a picture of a sign and a man out walking his two dogs crossed the street to talk with me. He explained that the signs were made and printed up by a neighbor, who then posted in Montclair Nextdoor that he had a 150 of the signs on his front porch and anyone could drop by and pick one up to place on their lawn. Folks clearly took him up on his offer because 12th avenue was peppered with the signs.

This is what welcoming looks like. One neighbor makes it a point to act neighborly and single-handedly gets his neighbors on board to build community one sign at a time.

Do you have a story of welcoming or your neighbors, family and friends making a difference and building bridging social capital? Post them here.

It's interesting that all this information has been out there about the refugee vetting system in place. A reporter chronicles it yet again in a well written story with details about real people. What appalls me is that the current administration has done no homework and shutting down resettlement for 120 days was just vindictive and harmful. The truth is already out there.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/07/us/refugee-vetting-process.html

How 2 Refugees Were Vetted Even Before Trump’s Travel Ban As the courts weigh a challenge to President Trump’s order to suspend refugee admissions, we trace the many steps already in place, through the eyes of two refugees.

Here's a great way to explore our international and local intersections in providing humanitarian relief and assistance. Bring a family member, a friend, a colleague. See you there.
https://unaffopeningnightreception2017.eventbrite.com

UNAFF Opening Night Reception - Understanding the Refugee Experience Join us for our Opening Night Reception of the 3rd Annual United Nations Association Traveling Film Festival Denver brought to you by United Nations Association Denver Chapter. Enjoy a global cuisine dinner, an award winning film screening, "Welcome to Refugeestan" and engage in community dialogue w...

Great story and no need to fear.

http://www.npr.org/2016/11/22/502980034/utica-n-y-which-welcomes-refugees-monitors-trumps-muslim-comments

Utica, N.Y., Which Welcomes Refugees, Monitors Trump's Muslim Comments Utica has been shaped for decades by its policy of welcoming refugees. People there say the fear many Americans feel over new Muslim immigrants doesn't match their community.