United for Humanity
Every three seconds, someone is forced from their home by violence, war, and persecution.
71
million people are displaced worldwide
25
million are refugees, fleeing persecution, conflict and violence
80%
of refugee crises last more than 10 years
Migration isn't a political or economic issue. It’s a humanitarian issue. It’s about people seeking better lives.
United Way works to build stronger communities for all, and we're working to provide jobs, education and support for people seeking greater opportunity. Acoss the world, United Way is bringing people together to support immigrants -- helping them relocate, rebuild and more.
We're seeing that play out in Eastern Europe, almost 6.5 million have fled Ukraine. To learn more about how United Way is responding to the Ukranian refugee crisis, click here.
Below you’ll find stories of United Way helping people rebuild new lives.
#United for Humanity
El Paso, Texas
More than 65,000 migrants travel through El Paso in the last year. Across Texas, United Ways support hospitality centers, which offer migrants a welcoming place to rest, shower, get clean clothes, food and water, medical services and more. United Way of El Paso County is leading the way to build volunteer capacity to support the centers. Volunteers handle check-in and check-out; prepare and serve meals; organize all in-kind donations of clothes, toiletries, food and more; arrange travel with sponsors; clean the resting and sleeping areas; and drive families and individuals to the bus station and the airport to meet up with their sponsors. This community has come together around migrants.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Nuhaa’s family had to leave Syria when it became too dangerous to stay. When she started school in Vancouver, eight-year-old Nuhaa was lonely, shy and sad. Language barriers created challenges at school. Low confidence was a mounting issue. Her mom discovered a local after-school program supported by United Way of the Lower Mainland. There, Nuhaa met Samantha, another young immigrant who’d faced similar challenges when she first came to Canada. Their shared love of art helped them connect. Nuhaa is now fluent in English, a confident student and a skilled painter. She’s gained self-esteem, settled into her new life in Canada – and she’s optimistic about the future.
Rebecca
“I wanted my kids to go to school to understand they can have a good future like American people.
Portland, Oregon
Lam Hoang moved to the Portland area 10 years ago from Vietnam, to join her husband. She knew only a few people in the Vietnamese community. After the birth of her first child, Lam’s loneliness grew and she became depressed.
But she connected with a parent educator at a United Way-supported agency, and got the help she needed. Today, Lam is confident in her parenting and leadership skills. She’s putting them to use navigating the local school system, and wants to make it easier for other immigrant families.
That’s why Lam joined the Parent Accountability Council, which governs United Way of the Columbia-Willamette's Early Learning Multnomah initiative. It addresses the biases and barriers children of color and immigrant families face. It brings the diverse voices of parents -- from African American, African immigrant, Asian, Latino, Native American and Slavic communities – together in a powerful way. And it ensures that the needs of all families are addressed.
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THREE GENERATIONS OF FAMILY COME TOGETHER IN PORTLAND TO ENJOY FOOD FROM DIFFERENT CULTURES, PERFORMANCES AND ARTS AND CRAFTS.