This topic is something we’ve felt passionate about for a while now, but we weren’t sure what to do or how to talk about it. We’re not experts by any means, but we want to do what we feel is right and spread the word however we can. We aren’t sure what we can do, but we know we have to do something, so just writing something, anything, feels like the right place to start.
We’re talking about the crisis of people being forcibly displaced around the world. If this seems like it's coming out of nowhere for us, we get it. We’ve never talked about this on social media before, but it’s been on our minds and on our hearts for the last few months. What triggered it for us was when we started fostering the three kiddos. Suddenly, our lives were bigger than just the two of us and we had actual human beings we were responsible for who needed love, attention, and a safe roof over their heads. It opened our eyes and our minds and made us realize there are SO many people around the world who need help and that it should be everyone’s responsibility, who is able, to help others out. It was like a light went off and it just made sense that this is what we have to devote time to now.
More and more stories started coming out about children being separated from their parents at the border (many of whom are asylum seekers fleeing their country out of danger and fear), which, again, after starting foster care, hit us hard and broke our hearts. We had to do something. We have to do something. What that is we’re not entirely sure, but again, just starting the conversation feels like a step in the right direction.
After months of feeling helpless, we decided to reached out to USA for UNHCR, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization which was founded 30 years ago as the U.S. national partner of UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency. Their mission is to protect refugees and empower them with hope and opportunity, and they do that by raising awareness and funds for refugees around the world. The majority of funds raised by USA for UNHCR go directly to the UN Refugee Agency for programmatic use. Additional grants are also given to support U.S.-based nonprofit organizations that help refugees, such as KIND (Kids in Need of Defense), Kiva, Refugee Congress and Hello Neighbor.
We’re going to be sharing more information about refugees, who they are, where they are, what you can do to help, and what causes someone to become displaced, as well as sharing their stories (including members of the LGBTQ+ community who have become displaced) and so much more. We’re excited, hopeful, overwhelmed, and all-around eager to start helping however we can. The numbers are staggering, and people around the world need more help than ever before. Together, we can all make a difference. It’s just a matter of starting.
(photos provided by USA for UNCHR)
