A Look Back: Afghan Resettlement by the Numbers
This time last year, resettlement agencies across the country were resettling record numbers of arrivals due to the fall of Afghanistan and the launch of Operation Allies Welcome. Ahead of reflecting with local resettlement agencies, we’re taking a look back at the numbers showing how far we’ve come in the past year.
In the Spotlight: IISTL Youth Mentoring + Edwardsville YMCA Collab
IISTL’s Youth Mentoring program and the Edwardsville YMCA collaborated to produce a day-long event for refugee kids.
In the Spotlight: JVS and the Afghan Girls Group
JVS realized newly arrived Afghan girls needed more in-depth educational support, so they formed a group that meets weekly to provide such educational support and bolster technical skills and self-confidence.
In the Spotlight: JVS Youth Mentoring
Jewish Vocational Service Youth Mentoring team and administrators at MCC in Kansas City collaborated to develop a solution for refugees, asylees, and victims of human trafficking who cannot obtain documentation from their former schools.
An IISTL Thanksgiving
The International Institute hosted a First Thanksgiving Community event on Saturday, November 17 and distributed more than 400 meals to volunteers, staff, clients, and neighbors.
ELL Family Media Center Grand Opening
The Nahed Chapman New American Academy has a new ELL Family Media Center partially funded by the Refugee School Impact grant.
MO-ORA Updates: October 2022
How MO-ORA is supporting refugees and fostering more inclusive communities across the Missouri
One Year After the Fall of Kabul
One year after the fall of Kabul, we reflect on the harrowing images from that time as well as the tremendous efforts to evacuate, resettle and support our Afghan allies since then.
In the Spotlight: Art Therapy Camp in Springfield
IISMO partnered with Beyond Healing’s Silvia Espinosa to produce a transformative, healing Art Therapy camp experience.
Gallery: World Refugee Day 2022 Round-Up
Local refugee resettlement agencies across the state celebrated World Refugee Day this month!
In the Spotlight: IISTL Youth Mentoring Seniors
There’s so much to celebrate with IISTL’s Youth Mentoring (YM) seniors who are all headed off to college!
In the Spotlight: CCCNMO Tax Clinic
A partnership with the Daniel Boone Regional Library, VITA Tax Program professionals and Catholic Charities Refugee Services to help new refugee arrivals complete their tax returns at no charge.
Uniting for Ukraine Program and Additional Resources
Rolling out measures to expand access to existing legal pathways for Ukrainian citizens:
In the Spotlight: RAISE, Welcome Teams, and Community Sponsorship
To effectively support new Afghan arrivals, federal partners and resettlement agencies rapidly created new systems, which will continue to benefit newcomers.
Private Sponsorship: Sponsor Circles and Uniting for Ukraine
In the past year, two different private sponsorship models have been launched: Sponsor Circles and now Uniting for Ukraine. While the idea of using private sponsorship for welcoming refugees and others fleeing violence is not new, finding new ways of leveraging private support for refugees has gained significant interest recently.
The Latest Ways to Get Involved: March 30, 2022
Opportunities to get involved, all across the state.
A Trip to Afghanistan in August 2021
MO-ORA’s IT Coordinator, Mohammad Tamim Afghanzada, and his family’s story of traveling to Afghanistan days before the Taliban’s takeover.
Statement: Ukraine and How to Help
Missouri has welcomed and resettled more than 100 Ukrainian refugees since 2018, and MO-ORA and our many resettlement partners stand ready to be of assistance should more refugees from Ukraine become eligible for resettlement to Missouri.