Homes Not Borders Joins First Cohort of Hello Neighbor Network
Hyattsville, MD (October 23, 2019) – Today, in addition to seven other like-minded organizations, Homes Not Borders announced the nonprofit has been inducted into the inaugural Leadership Cohort for the Hello Neighbor Network as a result of its exemplary work in helping refugees in the Washington, DC area.
The Hello Neighbor Network brings together a cohort of nonprofit leaders that are dedicated to helping refugees as they navigate their new lives in America. The network was founded and created by Hello Neighbor, a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization supporting recently resettled refugee families, that recognized organizations doing similar work siloed in cities across the country that could benefit from collaboration. The cohort will be responsible for generating new ideas and sharing resources that helps combat polarization and increase inclusiveness for refugees in communities across the nation.
“In order to best serve the refugee population here in the D.C. area we need to share ideas of what’s working – and what’s not – across the country,” said Laura Thompson Osuri, Executive Director of Homes Not Borders. “Homes Not Borders is honored to be part of the first cohort of the Hello Neighbor Network, and is excited to see how these partnerships can improve refugee services.”
As a part of the network’s first initiative, the cohort commissioned a survey between volunteers and refugees to better understand the impact of refugee support organizations and nonprofits. Findings from the survey include:
- 92% (of refugees with children) felt their kids has more access to opportunities after working with an agency
- 91% of refugees felt more connected to the city they lived in
- 93% of volunteers believe their agency reduced polarization in their community
- 97% of volunteers said, as a result of volunteering, they advocate for refugee issues at local, state and national government levels
- One in two people volunteering or working for refugee organizations said their discouragement with the current political climate was one of their top three reasons for getting involved
Following the survey, representatives from all eight organizations of the cohort will convene in Pittsburgh on November 13 – 15, 2019. Leaders will be tasked with generating ideas and scaling resources to help mitigate the polarization gap most refugee families are facing in communities across the nation.
“As the global refugee crisis has increased, the United States has begun to strongly debate immigration policies and the arrival of immigrants and refugees in our country. As a nation, it’s time to empower a new generation of nonprofits focused on supporting refugees,” said Sloane Davidson, founder of the Hello Neighbor Network. “The Hello Neighbor Network creates a critical platform for these nonprofits leaders to learn from one another, share best practices, and tackle challenges together.”
Led by Hello Neighbor (Pittsburgh), the first cohort includes representatives from the following organizations across the nation: Dwell Mobile (Mobile), Heartfelt Tidbits (Cincinnati), Hearts and Homes for Refugees (Westchester County, NY), Homes Not Borders (District of Columbia), International Neighbors (Charlottesville), Miry’s List (Los Angeles), Refugee Assistance Alliance (Miami) and Soft Landing Missoula (Missoula).
###
About Homes Not Borders
Homes Not Borders turns bare apartments into homes, providing all the required furnishings and more for newly arriving refugee and SIV families. The Hyattsville, Md. – based nonprofit nonprofit will soon launch a job training program to help refugees learn carpentry and woodworking skills. In 2018, the HNB team of about 20 volunteers set up homes for 57 refugee families – saving them a total of $94,240
About the Hello Neighbor Network
The Hello Neighbor Network provides refugee focused nonprofits seeking to scale and become sustainable organizations with education, a supportive peer network and the inspiration, leadership and advocacy skills they need to bring about structural change. The 2019 cohort, led by Hello Neighbor (Pittsburgh) includes: Dwell Mobile (Mobile), Heartfelt Tidbits (Cincinnati), Hearts and Homes for Refugees (Westchester County, NY), Homes Not Borders (District of Columbia), International Neighbors (Charlottesville), Miry’s List (Los Angeles), Refugee Assistance Alliance (Miami) and Soft Landing Missoula (Missoula).