HIAS

The High Holidays offers us a chance to recommit to the values that drive our work. Will you join us? Share this post to show your commitment

"When my children and grandchildren ask, 'what did you do when you saw people in pain and people escaping?' I want to be able to say I took action." - Debbie, a community sponsorship volunteer Community sponsorship of refugees is rooted in the simple, powerful idea that ordinary people can play a role in welcoming newcomers. HIAS is sharing stories of how this model positively impacts both sponsors and newcomers. “I didn’t have big expectations,” one newcomer named Omid said. Ultimately, he found emotional support he “could not have imagined.” After Omid and his family were resettled in the U.S., his mother was diagnosed with cancer. She had surgery at a hospital more than 50 miles away. Omid expected to be alone with his mom, but instead one of the volunteers showed up to support him through the process. “I didn’t expect her to come — I told her, ‘It’s a long drive.’ But she came. She was with me in the hospital for six to seven hours,” shared Omid. “It gave me a lot of emotional support. I didn’t feel alone here. I didn’t feel like I am in a foreign country. I felt I am in my own country, that I have someone with me.” Read more stories of impact on our website here: https://lnkd.in/ec9ndjNr

One thing is clear this Rosh Hashanah: The obligation to pursue justice doesn’t disappear when the path grows longer. And our work of welcome doesn’t end when others abandon it. Repost if you agree 🫂 https://lnkd.in/eQcztW7d

As ICE detention numbers hit record highs, due process protections are increasingly being bypassed. Enforcement may be less visible than it was earlier this year, but the scale of what's happening has only grown. Swipe to learn more and how to take action → https://lnkd.in/eiBWNM9z

The farmland that Matoua's household once relied on is now occupied by the Arkoum refugee camp, making it impossible to continue traditional farming activities. But in the face of these odds, she found a way to build resilience for herself and her family → This project is partially funded by the Chad Humanitarian Fund (XHF) https://lnkd.in/e6k4CmCt

Which are you choosing? As protections continue to be stripped from displaced communities across the U.S., thousands of our immigrant neighbors could use support. Whether it's accompanying someone to their court hearings or sending a message to your members of Congress, every action can make a difference. The U.S. government may have abandoned these communities, but we won't.

Our hearts are heavy with the tragic passing of Pierre Damas Bel. Like many of the ~350,000 Haitian immigrants in the country, he recently lost his temporary protected status. Pierre was also part of the community that federal agents placed electronic monitoring devices on. His death is a devastating indicator of the human consequences of the Trump administration's assault on the rights of immigrants, and the fear that immigrants have of being deported and sent back to the danger they fled. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 24/7 #988

More than three years into the conflict in Sudan, more than 900,000 are currently seeking safety in Chad, including more than 500,000 children.   Bachir’s story is a beautiful example of how children are learning to find hope and joy despite all they’ve experienced. Swipe for his story →   This project is partially funded by the Chad Humanitarian Fund (XHF) https://lnkd.in/e6k4CmCt

Between 2021 and 2024, HIAS and our partner agencies focused on innovating how the U.S. welcomed refugees by mobilizing local communities. This period came after the U.S. refugee resettlement system almost collapsed during the first Trump administration. We tested and expanded several approaches, including co-sponsorship. In this model, refugee families are matched with professional caseworkers and trained volunteer groups. Here is a snapshot of what co-sponsorship taught us → https://lnkd.in/eTt-mGkb

Empowering indigenous women and girls in Panama 🫂 In partnership with AGENCIA ESPAÑOLA DE COOPERACION INTERNACIONAL PARA EL DESARROLLO - AECID, HIAS Panamá created a campaign two years ago to empower women and girls to make informed decisions about their health and prevent violence. Together, many women and girls have learned how to advocate for themselves and for their communities. So far, our teams in Panama have reached more than 3,000 participants through this powerful program. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/e5ZcKy6e