WHO IS A REFUGEE?

According to the 1951 Geneva Convention, a refugee is a person who has fled his country “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.” He or she cannot or will not return because her government cannot or will not protect her. The United Nations works in conjunction with national governments to find recipient nations for these individuals. The United States accepts thousands of refugees every year from around the world. Refugees are invited guests of the United States. They are legal residents and should be able to enjoy all privileges of their status.

For more information about refugees, please visit these helpful links:

WHO IS AN SIV?

The U.S. State Department’s “Special Immigrant Visa” program is designed for the brave men (and some women) who provided critical support to U.S. military forces during the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Immigrants who arrive under this program are referred to as “SIVs,” and they (like refugees) must endure a lengthy and thorough vetting process prior to entry in the United States. Because of their commitment to the U.S. in Afghanistan/Iraq war zones, SIV neighbors and their families are not safe in their native country. Though deserving of the same honor and respect bestowed upon U.S. soldiers, SIVs are often the recipients of overt racism and harassment in Charlottesville.

Despite promises made to them by the United States, only a small percentage of SIVs have been granted entry to the land they fought to protect. There are over 200 of these brave Afghan and Iraqi natives who live as our neighbors in Charlottesville, VA. Though grateful and fortunate to be here, most find themselves living in poverty and struggling to pursue their American Dream.

For more information about SIVs, please visit these helpful links:

KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS

After 7 Years Apart, Afghan Translator Reunites with Parents Thanks to Volunteers

November 22, 2024 |
holding hands

Abdul Parwez hadn’t seen his parents in seven years. The only son of Abdul and Bibi, he served with the US Army as a translator before moving to the United…

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They Make Me Feel Like Family

March 28, 2023 |
Fariha hands clasped

Fariha brings cakes and tea to the table of her two-bedroom apartment. Her children gather close to their mother. Mariam is going on a class field trip to the Jamestown…

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Building Hope: One girl’s quest to live a full life

July 8, 2022 |
Hajer Salaam

Hajer Salaam is all smiles with a bright voice and cheery disposition who wears a long braid, pink hair bow and polka dot tights on the day we meet. A…

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Meet Elias

March 14, 2019 | Comments Off on Meet Elias

Meet Elias, you can learn a little bit about him here | Password: lighthouse You can learn a LOT about him if you choose to apply as a volunteer with us! He is a…

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Meet Fatou

March 14, 2019 |

Meet Fatou, a survivor from Gambia. She was referred to us leaving the Shelter For Help IN Emergency (SHE) which is a great resource but has a 6 week stay…

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Meet the Rai Family

June 19, 2017 |

Bhutanese refugees who spent a decade in Nepal, the Rai family has been in Charlottesville, VA since 2012. On the anniversary of her fifth year in the country, Chandra earned…

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Meet the Karaz Family

June 19, 2017 |

Yahya and Siba fled Syria in 2013, with their infant daughter. They lived in Jordan for 3 years, awaiting refugee resettlement status and welcoming a son. Now, the family of…

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KNOW OUR VOLUNTEERS

Army Veteran Sponsors Afghan Family’s Petition to come to the United States

September 2, 2022 |
LT Leroux

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Leroux, a 20-year Army veteran, says he worked with many interpreters during his time in Iraq. “We couldn’t have done a thing without them,” he says.  In 2015, he…

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Local Resident Provides a Safe Haven at the Recycled House for Resettled Refugees

August 25, 2022 |
D Weiss

Debra Weiss has lived in Charlottesville for nearly thirty years. She owns the Recycled House, a homestay property in a North Downtown neighborhood that is constructed primarily from second-hand materials.…

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Meet Volunteers Emily and David

March 14, 2019 | Comments Off on Meet Volunteers Emily and David

Emily and David Leblang are the the curtain installation duo. They’ve been volunteers since 2016 and have installed 35 curtains in 30 different houses around the windows, but also as…

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Meet Volunteers Cathy & Becca

October 13, 2017 |

Cathy and her family decided to find out what they could do to support refugees in our community because of the many conversations they were having at the dinner table…

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Meet Volunteer Mil Bailey

October 9, 2017 |

Mil Bailey has invested over 100 hours with IN! Whether taking shoppers to EE or dancers to CBA. Mil always does so with a smile. A world traveler, Mil appreciates…

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