As you have likely heard, executive orders and policy changes in the administration are severely impacting the work and people that I love.

An indefinite suspension of the United States Refugee Admissions Program means that CRIS will not have the opportunity to welcome any newcomers for the foreseeable future--no warm greetings at the airport, no apartment set-ups, no families to walk alongside in their first days of building new lives in our community.

This is the beautiful work that I've had the privilege of being a part of over the last three years as the Welcome Teams Coordinator at CRIS  I have witnessed dozens of refugee families' lives transformed through interactions with our Welcome Teams. It has been such a joy to both see families start brave new lives after years of uncertainty and to see members of our community help them along the way. 

Now, CRIS and those we serve will need our help in different ways. We are as committed as ever to help newcomers be safe and successful in Columbus.  I am fundraising to help kickstart CRIS' Enduring Welcome fund--a new initiative that honors CRIS' 30th anniversary as a beacon of Welcome in Central Ohio and seeks to ensure that CRIS can continue this work for the next 30 years.

Please consider donating to my fundraiser, or starting an Enduring Welcome fundraiser of your own! 

Peace,

Teresa