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September 2021 Newsletter
Issue #55
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Refugee Families Need Our Help |
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There are approximately 26 million refugees worldwide.
Almost 2.5 million refugees are from Afghanistan, comprising the largest refugee population in Asia, and the second largest refugee population in the world.
Over 500,000 more people have been displaced by the violence in Afghanistan just this year.
40% of the refugees from Afghanistan are women and children.
Americans are divided over whether the U.S. should accept refugees and opinions differ by religion, race, age, gender and education. For example, 68% of White evangelical Protestants say that the U.S. does not have a responsibility to accept refugees, while 65% of religiously unaffiliated adults believe the U.S. does have this responsibility.
Those who say the U.S. has a responsibility to accept refugees include:
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67% of Blacks
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59% of Hispanics
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46% of Whites
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61% of young adults
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51% of those ages 30-64
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43% of those 65 or older
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54% of women and of 48% of men
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71% of those with a post-graduate degree
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63% of college graduates
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43% with a high school diploma
The current U.S. administration has raised the “Presidential Determination” on refugee admissions to 62,500 – up from the all time low of 15,000 in 2020.
Of the 37 resettlement countries, the U.S. resettles less than 1% of the total refugees each year.
The top refugee hosting countries in 2018 were:
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Turkey 3.7 million
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Jordan 2.9 million
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Lebanon 1.4 million
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Pakistan 1.4 million
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Uganda 1.1 million
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Germany 1 million
National Migration Week this year is September 20 - 26 and September 26 is the church's 107th World Day for Migrants and Refugees. For a copy of Pope Francis 2021 message on refugees, Towards An Ever Wider “We,” click here.
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Refugee One
Welcomes hundreds of refugees through the U.S. State Departments Refugee Admissions Program. Not only equips them with the skills needed to survive, but provides a full range of coordinated services that empower refugees to build the foundation for a flourishing life here in the United States, including: resettlement services, English language training, workforce development, wellness program, vocational training, youth & young adult programs and women's services. Learn more.
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SOS Children's Villages
Supports displaced families in 23 countries around the world. Provides care for children in safe environments, and advocates for the rights and dignity of refugees and migrants. Offers assistance to families along migration routes and in their new host countries. Provides safe places for children to play, learn and regain a sense of normalcy as well as shelter, food, medical care and psychological support to their families -- many of whom are traumatized and alone. Helps families get back on their feet, through education, vocational training, and counseling. Learn more.
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War Child
Works in trouble spots around the world to provide children with educational programs and train parents and young people to help restore their ability to provide for themselves and regain a sense of security. Also provides free legal counsel to girls and women who are survivors of rape, abuse, neglect, and forced early marriage. Their programs are long-term, effective, responsive and, over time, help to break the cycles of poverty and violence that plague war-torn communities. Learn more.
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99 Names of God
By David Steindl-Rast. Offers a meditation on each of the 99 names of God found in the Islamic creed. Speaks to people of any religious belief who through the many names of God can enter the gate of the one nameless God that unites us. Read more.
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Global Fund for Women
Envisions a world where movements for gender justice have transformed power and privilege for a few into equity and equality for all. Funds bold, ambitious, and expansive gender justice movements to create meaningful & lasting change. Learn more.
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Laudato Si Action Platform
A resource from the Vatican to help people respond to Pope Francis' statement on the environment, Laudato Si. The platform comprises of three elements: plans to map one's journey, practical guidance on ways to take action, and resources to develop trusted communities of practice.
Specifically it offers:
- Plans, which your institution, community, or family can use to discern and implement your response to Laudato Si’
- A process-oriented approach that responds to the charism of your institution, community, or family
- Guidance on actions that help build a better future through the Laudato Si’ Goals
- Recognition of your progress
- A library of resources to provide practical, concrete guidance on ways to take action
- Webinars on actions and events
- Resources to strengthen your community
- Ways to connect directly with other participants
- Inspiring stories of people who are taking action
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Sea Level Projection Tool
An interactive map from the NASA Sea Level Change Team that graphically details sea-level projections relative to a 1995-2014 baseline from Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Sixth Assessment Report. Learn more.
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Construction for Change
A nonprofit construction management organization that believes every person should have access to well-built spaces where they can thrive. Builds spaces where people become healthier, better educated, and have increased economic mobility. Values sourcing materials locally, employing the community, and stimulating the local economy.
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Robert F Kennedy Human Rights
Works alongside local activists to ensure lasting positive change in governments and corporations. Their team of leading attorneys, advocates, entrepreneurs and writers are united by a commitment to social justice and have developed programs that pursue strategic litigation on key human rights issues, educated millions of students in human rights advocacy and fostered a social good approach to business and investment. Learn more.
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Witness
Helps people use video and technology to protect and defend human rights. Identifies critical situations and teaches those affected by them the basics of video production, safe and ethical filming techniques, and advocacy strategies. Learn more.
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Metta Center for Nonviolence
Helps people practice nonviolence more safely and more effectively through programs, podcasts and links to other organizations. Promotes principled nonviolence, or “Gandhian” nonviolence: nonviolence that goes beyond “not using violence” in a revolution or specific action, but where nonviolence itself is the revolution. Learn more.
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A Prayer for Afghanistan
For those who fleeing: sanctuary
For those who are staying: safety
For those who are fighting: peace
For those whose hearts are breaking: comfort
And for those who see no future: hope
Poor Clares Galway
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Important Dates This Month |
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Individuals Honored This Month |
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September 5th
If you can't feed a hundred people,
then feed just one.
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September 14th
On behalf of my outraged Christian conscience, I raise my voice in protest [against the treatment of Jews], and I assert that all men, Aryans and non-Aryans, are brothers because they have been created by the same God; that all men, whatever their race or religion, have the right to be respected by individuals and states. The present anti-Semitic pressures flout human dignity and violate the most sacred rights of the human person and family.
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September 22nd
Somebody, after all, had to make a start. What we wrote and said is also believed by many others. They just don't dare express themselves.
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September 30
I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim.
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Since we launched our website in 2017, we've had over 200,000 visitors, from 123 countries.
with over 2,000 Resources including:
Films, Publications, Websites,
Facts & Figures, Prayers, Quotes,
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Every month we email our newsletter to over 4,000 people around the country. Each issue focuses on a social justice topic and has resources that have been recently added to our website. If you know of anyone who might be interested in receiving our newsletter, please forward this email on to them or let us know and we'll add them to our mailing list. For our previous Newsletters, click here.
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contact@socialjusticeresourcecenter.org |
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