Due to the recent federal funding freeze, many refugee-support agencies lost all their funding for staff and newly arrived refugees. Global Impact Initiative, an Austin-based nonprofit, lost all their funding on January 28, leaving 709 families from Cuba, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and without monthly stipends they rely on for basic needs, such as rent, groceries, and stability. 259 of these families arrived in Austin after the federal shutdown, and they have not received any financial support at all.
In order to help them with basic needs we need your help. We are prioritizing these 250 clients through an Emergency Walk-In Support Program.
AJPR leads and GII staff will be in attendance and able to assist volunteers, too. The location and day-of instructions will be provided upon registration.
- Provide HEB or Walmart gift card (client choice, 1 per family)
- Interview parents addressing their emergency needs (we will provide a form and a place to meet with parents). Needs may include food, housing, job assistance, medical/dental, ESL tutoring, school registration and other issues.
- Let families know that the Needs Forms will be addressed and we will follow through as best we can.
- Note: Majority of families are Spanish speaking, so we encourage Spanish Speaking volunteers to sign up. The GII Case manager will assist you if you need help!
- Contact clients via calling or texting
BI-LINGUAL SPANISH SPEAKERS ARE GREATLY NEEDED
