United for Humanity: Stories of Hope

As the world's largest privately-funded nonprofit, United Way tackles challenges that cross regional, national and international borders. With 55,000 corporate partners and 29,000 community agency partners, we're working to build thriving communities in which every person has the opportunity to succeed. Visit UnitedforHumanity.org to learn more about how United Ways around the world are supporting displaced people, refugees and others who are seeking safety.

Europe

United Way’s work in Europe has helped refugees and asylum-seekers adapt to their new lives and gain the skills they need. With help from outside consultants and our team in Canada, United Way’s European Refugee Initiative identified the most critical factors to successful integration identifying the most critical factors to successful integration, such as language skills and job training.

Bain & Co. helped United Way design and launch pilot projects in France, the United Kingdom and Germany. Our team in Europe built a coalition of support, developing relationships with organizations on the ground to provide enhanced services. That’s how we work – in partnership, and laser-focused. In France, United Way L’Alliance (United Way France) offered a job-readiness path toward employment, linguistics training, entrepreneurship training and cultural awareness workshops. Some 60% of participants are now working or are in job training.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Starting over in a new place can be challenging. Learning a new language and adapting to a fast-paced culture and world of work are just a few of the barriers that new Americans face. For immigrants and refugees starting a new life in Minnesota, support can be found through the Southeast Asian Refugee Community Home (SEARCH), a partner of Greater Twin Cities United Way that provides settlement and job training programs to improve the economic well-being of new Americans.

With these challenges in mind, SEARCH provides training programs with tailored support and a starting point for developing in-demand skills, putting job seekers on a path to thrive. 

Vancouver, British Columbia

In 2007, Zeynab Muhamed was living at a refugee camp in Kenya after being forced to flee her home country of Ethiopia. When Zeynab was offered the opportunity to re-settle, she decided to move to Canada. But a clerical error meant Zeynab could only bring five of her six children. Her infant daughter, Nasteha, had to remain in Kenya.   

Devastated, Zeynab and the rest of her family traveled to British Columbia. With the support of the Early Years First Steps Refugee Program, a United Way of the Lower Mainland-developed initiative, Zeynab learned how to shop for groceries, drive a car and other skills required for her new home. Meanwhile, social service agencies worked to bring her daughter over. It took more than three years, but they were finally reunited. 

In 2016, Zeynab became a Canadian citizen. Although arriving in Canada was like “going to another world,” as she put it, it was also the start of a new life for and her family.  

China

There’s a human cost to economic growth. Some 9 million children are left behind in China’s rural villages as parents migrate to urban areas for better jobs. These “left behind” children of in-country migrants are more likely to struggle in school, develop social and emotional problems, and get involved in criminal activity. United Way teamed up with China Charity Federation to create Love and Care Children’s Homes, safe and welcoming places for children to get the educational and emotional support they need. Typically located within a school or community center, these homes also facilitate regular communication between kids and parents. There are now more than 40 model homes in 17 provinces throughout China, benefitting more than 10,000 children.

Brownsville, Texas

With a third of its population living in poverty, Brownsville, Texas, is home to some of America’s poorest children. United Way of Southern Cameron County works to shift the odds for those children with its education, financial stability and health initiatives. And United Way also provides for food, clothing, temporary shelter, and medical exams for migrants in Brownsville’s settlement house and homeless shelter. That means solving small problems – like a new ice maker for the shelter – and larger problems, like sending volunteers and its own staff to the settlement house to streamline the intake process.

Des Moines, Iowa

Coming as a refugee to Iowa from her homeland of Ghana, torn apart by civil war, Rebecca faced many barriers. No relatives, no job, no English. Rebecca turned to the HOPE Initiative, led by United Way of Central Iowa. She now has a job, a driver's license, is learning to read and write English. She knows her kids can have the future she always hoped for.

Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 211 or visit 211.org to speak with a live, highly-trained service professional in your area. All calls are private and confidential.