“We have a legal and moral obligation to protect people fleeing bombs, bullets and tyrants, and throughout history, those people have enriched our society.”
—Juliet Stevenson
“It is the obligation of every person born in a safer room to open the door when someone in danger knocks.”
— Dina Nayeri
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
— Emma Lazarus
June 20 is World Refugee Day, observed on this day every year to raise awareness of the plight of millions of people who are forced to leave their homes because of violence, war, and persecution. Below is a short list of refugee resources available in the Front Range in Colorado. If you are not a refugee and do not come from an immigrant/refugee background, you can still help by showing support, donating to the resources below, and educating yourself about the extremely serious and deadly conflicts that millions of people flee from.
International Rescue Committee – The International Rescue Committee provides opportunities for refugees, asylees, victims of human trafficking, survivors of torture, and other immigrants to thrive in America.
Colorado Africa Organization – Colorado Africa Organization (CAO) is a local home for an international community. They work with partners to support refugees, asylum-seekers, and immigrants on their paths toward self-sufficiency, integration, and freedom. At CAO, the approach to client engagement and service delivery is unique in the breadth of support it offers. CAO’s help model combines community engagement with holistic case management to support successful integration over time.
Colorado Refugee Connect – Colorado Refugee Connect (CRC) is an innovative community project aimed at better connecting newcomers in the community to their neighbors and new friends. CRC was conceived in 2016 in response to an overwhelming interest from the community to learn about, support, and engage with local refugee-serving organizations. The group aimed to better connect potential volunteers and refugee network service providers in Colorado.
Lutheran Family Services – Lutheran Family Services have helped people who have been uprooted by persecution and violence work towards self-sufficiency through essential resettlement services, including housing, employment, English language, and cultural orientation.
African Community Center – The African Community Center of Denver welcomes refugees who have fled persecution and have been granted third country resettlement through UNHCR and the U.S. State Department. African Community Centers aims to create an inclusive enviroment for people who are new to the country, providing employment and resettlement services.
Project Worthmore – Project Worthmore provides programs that foster community, self-sufficiency and increase quality of life among Denver-area refugees.