Of All & None (JM's & Citizens) - Supporting the Needs of Displaced People

Serinia Edoras

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Our Cause
The "Of All & None" group is comprised of our amazing Junior Members and Citizens from across the tower. After a lot of discussion and suggestions and building on each other's ideas, we have elected to focus on Supporting the Needs of Displaced People. This year especially people have been forced from their homes for many reasons around the world and we want to help them.

Why is this Important
Many of our group's members have different reasons for supporting this cause. We are a global group and yet have seen the impact of displacement in all of our areas. Some of our members work in social services and have an especially close view of victims of displacement and their needs. We've also found that Displaced People can benefit from many works that we have helped with. Whether it's focused on medical care, alleviating hunger, education, or another need, these are all important services.

How to get Involved
Displaced people are not just international refugees you see in far-off places. Displaced people include families and individuals that might be suffering from homelessness or disenfranchisement. There are many deserving global charities that work in this area, including Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders and Refugees International, but there are also many in our local communities. Our group will continue to work with the GCH team to identify opportunities to support these groups with fundraising and donations of time and energy.


I invite not only our amazing Citizens and Junior Members to share more about how they plan to get involved, but all members who have ideas to Support the Needs of Displaced People. Thank You!
 

Erin al'Denael

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Well, since you invited everyone. ;) :look:

Back in 2011, when we had Fall Ball here in Chattanooga, we made donations of goods (and collected money to buy more goods) for the Chattanooga Community Kitchen. I remember that we went to one of the 2 scary Wal-marts (we have the rich people Wal-mart, the normal Wal-Mart, the redneck Wal-Mart, and the 2 scary ones :look:) and bought lots of socks and stuff of that nature to add to the donations people brought. Since then, as I was the local contact, I get requests every winter for donations from them. I make a point to try and send something at least once per year, because I think helping and supporting homeless people get back on their feet is important.

Something this also makes me think of is the local refugee community. Chattanooga is home to the Bridge Refugee Services, Inc. (Also located in Knoxville!) Many fellow ESOL teachers are involved with this organization because they work to place refugees from many parts of the world in and around Chattanooga, and the majority of them need language support. The school I used to work at has several refugees through this program. We also have an overwhelming number of Guatemalan people who have left home because of gangs and violence and are trying to make new lives for their families. All of these people have been displaced, and are trying to settle into a new country and new home. One of the biggest needs they have post-settlement is food. I have donated many hours of time at school-based food banks to help them out. Language needs are also great, but as I already do that through my job, I haven't volunteered at a separate organization. Maybe I should!

If anyone wants to focus on supporting the needs of displaced peoples in their local community, let us know! The Servant of All team will help find local options, such as the ones I listed here, for your area. :)
 

Morrighan Daghdera

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I currently work at a domestic violence shelter. These individuals are displaced due to a need for safety. While most of the tasks I do are job-related, I try to do something extra. I brought in art supplies for Christmas and we painted some happy trees. I baked chocolate chip cookies for them and taught them my secret there. I cleaned and organized the children’s play area to make it age appropriate.

I donated coats, socks, and food items to a dear friend who handed out Christmas stockings to those living on the streets of downtown Nashville (before the bombing further displaced them). Not trying to brag, but give examples of things that can be done. :pleased-1:
 

Morrighan Daghdera

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I’m not sure about donating time while some areas are still battling Covid. I know our particular shelter has indefinitely suspended volunteers coming to campus for this reason. Perhaps contacting a shelter to see if volunteers are allowed, and if so, what types of opportunities are available?

I used to volunteer at a long-term facility for women displaced after being rescued from trafficking. I worked their vendor booth at different community outreach events, helped serve table at the annual fundraiser, and helped the women with their garden on site. This was pre-Covid but I wanted to mention some ways that only cost time.

Donating money is often a click away. Check the website for online direct giving information, Amazon wish list items, etc. If the information is not there, a quick call to their office would probably give you great direction.
 

Serinia Edoras

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Morrighan - members of domestic violence are a great example of displaced people. I've spent a chunk of today trying to find a document I transcribed from an old job that provided guidance to those at risk for how to create an escape plan and how to gather documents and resources in advance for potential future need. I can't find it anywhere but I'll keep looking. There are other similar documents/materials online (examples: Haven, National Domestic Violence Hotline, etc.) and I wonder if we could put a simple PDF together to publish as I haven't found a comprehensive document that can be shared.... I have other ideas for this if people are interested.
 

Morrighan Daghdera

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I’m interested. Let me know if/how I might help.
 

Serinia Edoras

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Will do. Alora is working on some organizations to support, and Erin and I talked about how we might schedule our campaign so we should have more ideas to share shortly!
 

Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum

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Hope you don't mind me joining in on this one. :pleased-1: I'll be pitching in every pay day. I've been wanting to help out refugees for a long time, and now that my life is starting to settle, I'd love to do that. :love
 

Serinia Edoras

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That's wonderful! Erin and her team have shared some new ideas and groups for support and I'm hoping we can build out some more campaigns soon!
 

Leala ni al'Dareis t'al'Caleum

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That is awesome! :joy
 

Merena Orithana

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This is a great cause!
I found the International Rescue Committee on Charity Navigator a few years back and usually donate over the holidays.
They do great work and are a highly rated charity.
https://www.rescue.org/#
 

Idine Espanyas

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This is great; thank you Team Of All & None. I'd love to help out too. In Philadelphia we have Project HOME, which works to offer permanent, subsidized housing for displaced individuals and families.
 

Erin al'Denael

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Games Done Quick (GDQ) is supporting Doctors Without Borders! If you're interested in watching games done at a rapid pace in the name of charity...head on over. :) You can also just go directly to their Twitch page!
 
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