Our Crowdfunding Groups
This project is now closed. If you would like to support Bridging the Gap for Refugees, please contact Andi Sharp at sharpa5@nku.edu or (859) 572-7530. Thank you!
**Thanks to generous donors Megan and Chris Cole, all gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $500!*
Who We Are
We are social work students learning to change and improve our community in SWK 405: Community Organizations. In conjunction with NKU’s Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, we seek to support Refugee Connect, a local non-profit that aims “to empower people who were forced to leave their country to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster, to thrive in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
How Will Your Donation be Used?
Our goal is to raise $3,600 to support a Community Navigator to bridge the gap in services for refugees in Northern Kentucky. Community Navigators are refugees who understand the new culture, language and services of our community and have opportunities to help other refugees do the same.
Why Are We Doing This?
Imagine if you were enduring persecution in America and needed to leave the country to survive. Imagine then that you had to travel far away and arrive in a new country, with a new culture, language and environment. It would be a difficult and daunting experience. Imagine then being introduced to a fellow American who had been in the new country for a while, learned the language, made connections and knew how to help you get the resources you needed to survive and thrive. How wonderful would that be! A Community Navigator through RefugeeConnect can offer just that type of assistance to refugees in Northern Kentucky.
Testimonial from Ernestine, a Community Navigator
“Before becoming a Community Navigator, I didn’t realize how important it was to have support from someone who understands your culture and language, but since becoming one, I now know how extremely valuable this work is in helping families become stable and thrive. Community Navigators are powerful advocates for families because they help reduce barriers that refugees face when accessing resources and integrating into their new communities.”
How Can You Help?
Any amount of donation will help us fund a Community Navigator. Thanks to generous donors Megan and Chris Cole, the first $500 raised will be matched dollar-for-dollar. Your donation can help a refugee serve others during a difficult time. We hope you will support this project by making a donation today! Thank you!
A student group in the SWK 405 class
Provides intensive individualized support to 2 families that enable them to thrive.
Allows a Community Navigator to support up to 15 families for one month.