Tallahassee is one of the most welcoming, hospitable, gracious cities on the planet. But to refugees who have fled violence, left behind everything they have, don’t know the language or the culture, and have no support network, it can feel like a lonely place. We can change that! Find out how you can help Tallahassee refugees successfully start a new life.
Tallahassee’s refugee population
Currently, Tallahassee is home to about 90 refugee families who are here because they are fleeing violence and persecution in their home country. Most are refugees of Afghanistan, Syria, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with a few others from Columbia and El Salvador.
Here are a few of their stories.
Afghan refugees
We’ve all seen the horrifying images of Afghan families separated by the danger, rush and chaos outside the Kabul airport. Most of those who were lucky enough to make it into the American military cargo planes and to safety in America became fragmented families, including one of our Tallahassee refugee families. A mom and dad each took two kids in different cars and headed to the Kabul airport. They separated because, if caught together, this family of six might have been identified by the Taliban as trying to escape – a circumstance that got other families incarcerated or killed. In the case of this family, one car made it, and the other didn't. Now, a 74-year-old father now living near FAMU may never again see his wife of over 50 years or his son and daughter. The son and daughter that made it to America with their dad may never see their mom and siblings ever again. They mourn their separation every day of their lives in both countries.
Syrian refugees
Syrians have been bleeding out of their country (literally and figuratively) for over 40 years, due to the Assad family's long and brutal rule. Almost 7 million Syrians have fled the country, with many spending years and years in refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon. One family that was resettled to Tallahassee in February has a 6-year-old boy who has never lived in a home that was not a tent. He has spent his entire life in a refugee camp in a foreign country and, until now, had never slept in a bed.
Colombian refugees
In Colombia, a family of six happily lived and worked in the capital, until the hard-working, devoutly religious father witnessed a drug cartel murder. A price was put on his head, and the family fled to a refugee camp in Nicaragua, where they lived for years. They were granted asylum into America and then arrived in Tallahassee, where they have been working hard to make a new life in a country, despite knowing no English, and never before driving a car. Despite every challenge, they are grateful to be safe and and are happy to have this second chance at life.
About TRC
The Tallahassee Refugee Connection is a volunteer group of individuals, churches and other houses of worship, and civic groups helping the International Rescue Committee (IRC) meet the needs of Tallahassee’s refugees.
How to help
Refugees need jobs, housing, household items, transportation, help connecting to resources, and fellowship. There is something for everyone to do:
- Donate financially or contribute needed household items.
- Ask your church, house of worship or civic group to support a family
- Pick up and deliver donated items
- Provide a job to a refugee or link them to jobs
- Help refugees prepare their resumes
- Drive refugees to medical or other appointments and help them navigate
- Hold a drive to gather most-needed items, including diapers, feminine hygiene products, backpacks and school supplies, children’s toys, or household cleaning products
Jobs, jobs, jobs!
Refugees receiving federal assistance have 3 months to find a job and must accept the first job they’re offered. Many held professional positions in their country of origin but here they are performing basic housekeeping or restaurant work. If you are an employer, please check out this list of current refugees’ skills and see if you can extend a job opportunity. If you might have job opportunities for a refugee, please contact Ken Boutwell.
Currently, there are 110 adult refugee clients in Tallahassee in need of a job.
The numbers of clients and their experience include:
- Construction: 20
- Store clerks: 20
- Factory or line work: 20
- Tailors and seamstresses: 5
- Restaurant servers, dishwashers, cooks: 20
- Healthcare/elder care workers: 15
- Childcare: 15
- Administrative work: 10 (entry level) 5 (mid-level)
Standing With IRC as They
Stand With Refugees
Emmanuel Burks, Site Director for The IRC in Tallahassee is asking the community to stand by the agency in its work of making refugees, immigrants, and survivors of human trafficking welcome in Tallahassee, always and especially now. Â See https://welcome.rescue.org/us/en/life/important-updates for changes in US immigration under the new administration.
About Volunteering: There may be a decrease or pause in volunteer activities as the agency responds to changes, but volunteers are important and needed. Thank you for your patience, flexibility, and solidarity as IRC navigates these unprecedented times. If you wish to volunteer, please contact [email protected]. We'll reach out as opportunities become available.
About Donating Items: Please consider items off the agency’s Amazon Wish List. There is an urgent need for laundry detergent and hygiene items.
About Coordinating a Donation Drive and/or Kit Build: Please refer to the attached link: Donation Drive Information Packet
Schedule donation drop off with [email protected].
A home of their own
Housing is a BIG challenge. If you are a property owner and are willing to rent an apartment to a refugee, please let us know. Free and discounted housing for a limited time is especially appreciated.
Contact Candace McKibben: 850-524-4645 or email at [email protected]
Stand with Us
Volunteer
There may be a decrease or pause in volunteer activities as we respond to changes. We apologize for the inconvenience and greatly appreciate your patience, flexibility, and solidarity as we navigate these unprecedented times.
If you are ready to volunteer, please contact [email protected]. We'll reach out as opportunities become available.
Donate Essential Welcome and
Integration Supplies
- Share IRC's Wishlist with your networks: https://www.rescue.org/wishlist
- Urgently needed: Laundry detergent and hygiene items.
- Coordinate a donation drive and kit build. Schedule drop-off with [email protected].
- Your financial contribution allows us to reach more individuals in need. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us create lasting change.
Make a gift to support our life-saving work today
For more information, contact:
Emmanuel Burks, Site Director
The IRC in Tallahassee
https://www.rescue.org/tallahassee
1203 Governors Square Blvd, Suite 100, Tallahassee, FL 32031
News
Tallahassee becomes haven to refugee families fleeing their war-torn homes
The IRC anticipates welcoming approximately 450 individual refugees to Tallahassee by the end of fiscal year 2024.
Longleaf pine Thanksgiving centerpiece honors resilience | Candace McKibben
I do not remember ever thinking about pinecones being a crop, nor about a fluctuation in the number of pinecones from year to year.
