Today marks the last day of ideas inside Minnesota, where ARC has its international headquarters. For the past couple of weeks we’ve been reaching out to local refugee communities - and the people who are doing the doable for and with them every day of the year. For our last local idea (for now!), we partnered with Minneapolis-based Eat for Equity, a volunteer powered organization that brings different people together to share one delicious community meal. Hosted by four former refugees – from very different parts of the world – this bountiful dinner was an opportunity to connect with people who may have otherwise never crossed paths. And, to try some delectable, homemade dishes from around the world. Hosted at PAIKKA in St. Paul, over 200 people joined us in celebration. From newly arrived Somali refugees like the Mohamud family to immigrants from Egypt to neighbors born in Minnesota, each table was filled with smiling faces and eager learners, all excited to get to know each … [Read more...] about A Community Feast

Changemakers 365 has been doing the doable in Minnesota for the last couple of weeks, and it’s been amazing. We’ve met and gotten to know and support so many new neighbors and amazing organizations doing incredible work with refugee communities, we’re so excited about the new connections and relationships we’ve made. One of those connections is with Women Organizing Women Network or WOW. WOW’s mission is to empower all women, specifically first– and second-generation immigrants, to become engaged citizens and community leaders, regardless of political affiliation. We know the founder of WOW very well – Habon Daud was a member of the Somali Community Council that co-launched with ARC our I AM A STAR humanitarian relief program in Somalia. A few weeks ago she came in to tell us about WOW’s work and see if we knew of any place they could find an office. In order to create space for women to step into leadership, WOW needed some office space of their own. We were happy we could … [Read more...] about Space to Grow

When we visited the Mohamud family a few days ago - bringing them some household goods like a microwave and colander - they were struck by the family’s ability to adapt quickly to Minnesota, despite them having arrived only in January. But, says Chris Kindler of ARC, there were still many needs. “They were so friendly and thankful for the gifts,” says Chris, “but the four kids didn’t really have some other things they needed to keep warm, like winter boots and warm sweaters.” This gave us an idea. What if, for Day 60, we go back to this family and surprise them with a shopping spree? That way, they can pick out exactly the things that they need – and take the kids with them, too. So we decided to go back and visit the Mohamuds, this time with Goodwill gift cards in hand. Originally from Somalia, Osman and Safiyo Mohamud - proud parents of four - lived with their family in a refugee camp in Ethiopia for nine years. And then, just a few months ago, they learned they were to … [Read more...] about The Goodwill of Friends

Our time in Minnesota has been all about supporting those who do this work here at home, where our international office is headquartered. It's our time to be Changemakers in our own backyards. The Refugee Team at Macalester Plymouth United Church are doing the doable every single day. Not only has this group and their church supported ARC for over 10 years, they sponsor a newly arrived refugee family, too. Since the family’s very first day in town, they’ve dedicated countless hours to making sure they feel at home, that they get what they need to build a future in Minnesota. So for day 59, we decided to help them spread the love a little further – by giving the volunteer group $500 worth of support to help the new arrivals get back on their feet again. Chantal, Semucyo and their five children are originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. They spent many years living in a refugee camp in Rwanda, so transitioning to life in Minnesota has had its challenges. But … [Read more...] about Neighbor to Neighbor

Learning new things and shifting the way you understand and think about your world is some of the most important change that can happen. So, on Day 58, we wanted to provide supporters in Minnesota the opportunity to do the doable – and come educate themselves about the current crisis in South Sudan. About 50 people attended a briefing at ARC’s Headquarters on the humanitarian situation in South Sudan. ARC President Daniel Wordsworth talked about ARC’s work providing health care and protection services in South Sudan, as well as our efforts helping South Sudanese refugees in Uganda at Bidi Bidi refugee settlement. Daniel also set the scene a bit with a few sobering statistics on the crisis: more than 3.5 million South Sudanese have fled their homes in the last few years as a result of the conflict; 40% of people in South Sudan are currently in need of urgent food aid; and 100,000 people are in serious threat of starvation due to famine. But, as Daniel often repeats, ‘statistics … [Read more...] about Informing For Change

At ARC, we believe in the goodwill of everyday people. And that’s because time and time again, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, we’ve seen an abundance of amazing individuals step forward to do amazing things for each other. These are people who make our programs happen, day in and day out – often outside of the limelight. And in many cases, they’re volunteers. From Nakivale and Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlements in Uganda to Minneapolis, Minnesota, volunteers jump in and make things happen. For Day 57, we wanted to do something special for these volunteers near home – something unexpected. Knowing the power of breaking bread together – sharing a meal and relaxed conversation – we decided to take a group of these dedicated people out to dinner to say thank you. And what better place to go than a refugee owned business – Safari Restaurant in Minneapolis. Serving up traditional Somali and East Africa dishes, Safari is more than just a restaurant – it’s a place … [Read more...] about Celebrating Volunteers

For the past couple of weeks, we’ve brought you impacts from inside Minneosta, where ARC has its international headquarters. We’re showing that even with relatively few resources, real, doable change can have a big impact right here at home. The American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis is a gathering place – a place where the Twin Cities community can come together to share experiences around themes of culture, migration, and our enduring links to Sweden. And for the next few months, ASI is featuring multiple exhibits on the refugee experience – both inside and outside of Minnesota – that seek to draw connections between past and present. Through refugee and immigrant stories, guests gain a different perspective of migration – and how it relates to all of us. The American Swedish Institute’s (ASI) mission is to encourage greater understanding and empathy between people and cultures. That's something we feel everyone should have access to - our friends, supporters, and refugees … [Read more...] about Uncovering Connection

Changemakers 365 is in Minnesota for just a little while longer. We’re reaching out to get to know new neighbors and to boost the efforts of organizations and individuals doing great work with local refugee communities. Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota is one of those organizations. On Day 55, we did what the folks at LSS do every day – help refugees get settled in their new homes. The team at LSS gave us a few families to go and visit – families who needed a few additional household items to get settled. So we headed out to visit the Alis, the Mohamuds and the Abanoor families in St. Paul. We brought with us just a few basic things the families had said they needed. One family got a vacuum cleaner, another requested a microwave – and we delivered everyone some basic items like a colander and toilet paper. But we soon learned that a friendly face - eager to help - was much more valuable to the families than anything we had brought there with us. At the Abanoors, … [Read more...] about Making a Household

Minnesota is home to the American Refugee Committee’s international headquarters, the base from which ARC operates its programs serving refugees in 11 countries worldwide. The state is also home to the largest community of Somali immigrants and refugees in North America. The last week or so, we’ve been taking small actions in our local community to create big impact. And today, we’re reaching out alongside our neighbors to support Somali small business owners right here in Minnesota. Karmel Square Mall is located in the heart of Minneapolis, located just a few blocks from the intersection of Lyndale and Lake Street. Home to dozens of Somali businesses – clothing stores, henna salons, import/export businesses – 80% of the shops in Karmel are women-owned and run. Entrepreneurs lend each other seed money to get businesses off the ground, with repayment based on social contracts rather then the legal variety. It’s a center of the Somali community in Minnesota, a center of the community … [Read more...] about Discovery Near Home