ABOUT REFUGEES
Refugees are men, women and children fleeing war, persecution, and political upheaval who have crossed borders to seek safety and refuge in another country.
Under Section 101(a)(42) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(42), a refugee is a person who is outside their country of nationality (or, if no nationality, country of last habitual residence) and who has experienced past persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.
Statistics and Facts:
California as a Refugee Hub:
California is a major destination for refugees, ranking among the top states for refugee resettlement. In recent years, significant numbers of refugees have come from countries like Afghanistan, Syria, and Myanmar (Stacker) (Immigrant Data California).
Demographics:
The state is home to a large and diverse refugee population, including long-established communities from Southeast Asia and more recent arrivals from Central America and the Middle East (Immigrant Data California).
Ukrainian and Afghan Refugees:
California is home to nearly 40% of Afghan immigrants and has seen significant arrivals of Ukrainian refugees, especially in metro areas like Sacramento and Los Angeles (Immigrant Data California).
Individuals have been forcibly displaced WORLDWIDE (2023)
Refugees coming from the MENA region resettled in California in the last 10 years
%
of the total number are refugees from 3 countries: Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan.
WAYS TO HELP NEW REFUGEES IN THE UNITED STATES
WELCOME THEM
A refugee’s story doesn’t end once they arrive to a safe country. Refugees need to be recognized and welcomed in order for them to stabilize in a new community and settle in.
GIVE THEM A VOICE
Offering refugees space to share their stories is essential to understand their struggles and trauma; also allows us to advocate for their needs to provide them with specific help they need.
DONATE TO VOR
Every donation you make goes directly into the programs and services we provide to refugee families. Your contributions help us put God’s Love into action.
Help us raise $100,000 to support New Refugee Families in California. Every dollar counts, and every gift makes a profound different today and a great impact tomorrow.
World Refugee Day – June 20
In observance of the World Refugee Day, VOR hosts a Refugee Cultural Celebration every year to celebrate the incredible resilience and strength of refugees through various cultural displays, storytelling, music, and culinary delights. The beauty of this event is that we witness how God turns the ashes of war, violence, and persecution to the beauty of celebrating new cultures and tradition in our communities. What a blessings it is to see God restoring HOPE in the refugee families in our country.
Our mission is to put God’s Love into Action through helping refugee families stabilize, integrate, and thrive in the United States. To be able to fulfill our mission, we depend on your generosity to continue serving the displaced community in Southern California. Our aim is to raise $100,000 in June to support refugees. We can only do this through your generous donations – Give today and help a refugee family to rebuild thier lives in the United States.
Enjoy some of the photos from the Cultural Celebration in June 2024
Alabaster Offering
If you are a pastor or leader of a church, we would like to extend an invitation for your congreation to dedicate a Sunday offering during the month of June to support Refugees. Any gift that is donated to VOR is tax deductible and geos 100% towards showing God’s love through assisting refugees with their basic needs.
Let us, together, amplify the Voice of the Refugees.
- EVERY GIFT COUNTS >> GIVE TODAY! 34%
SUmmer program for CHILDREN & YOUTH
VOR’s commitment to helping refugees goes beyond immediate relief. We understand that true healing and integration require more than just meeting basic needs. For the children, who often bear the deepest scars of war, VOR offers specialized programs focused on life skills, character building, and trauma healing.
YOU can help turn barriers into bridges by donating to VOR’s summer program and make a difference in the lives of marginalized children and youth.
SUPPORT CHILDREN & YOUTH
By donating to VOR, you are not just providing financial support; you are investing in the future of children who have endured the unimaginable. You are giving them the chance to heal, grow, and become the leaders of tomorrow.
Support VOR today!
IMPACT Anaheim: Support VOR programs through this impactful event where we join with at least 10 different organizations to support the children and youth.
World Refugee Day on June 20: Join us in celebrating culture, resilience, and the Voice of Refugees.
The Alabaster Offering: Inviting all churches to dedicate TWO Sunday offerings a year towards VOR to support our initiatives.
When you donate, you help provide:
- Stabilization: Welcoming new famlies with providing basic needs of survival.
- Integration: Equipping refugees with language and skills to be valued and heard.
- Thriving: Being included and able to lead a healthy life in a new country despite the continues challenges of resettlement.