This month is the time of year where many of us consider what we are grateful for. As I reflect on this season, I think about how grateful I am for the tradition of welcome in our country. The Refugee Act of 1980 began the refugee resettlement program, creating an avenue to welcome newcomers to communities across the United States. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of refugees have found new homes, with tens of thousands coming to metro Atlanta.
It was in that spirit of hospitality that The Welcome Co-Op was founded in 2019. The refugee resettlement community in Atlanta came together to collaborate on services for newly arriving refugee families.
We provide housing and basic needs to refugees from all five resettlement agencies in Atlanta, including New American Pathways. Our team finds apartments, secures supplies and sets up apartments with basic needs. Our Shop of Hope, located in our office in Tucker, provides quality clothing and shoes to each family member. Last year we set up 725 apartments for over 3,000 individuals and provided clothing and shoes to over 1,200 people.
Our motto is ‘building community together’ and I am grateful for the hundreds of people in metro Atlanta who have joined us in our mission. We know the coming days hold uncertainty for the refugee resettlement program due to the changing political environment. However, we are certain that in the next two months we will be welcoming many people to Atlanta, and we need your help! There’s no better time than the upcoming holiday season to join us. We have several ways you can get involved:
- Volunteer to set up apartments, sort donations, or assist in our Shop of Hope.
- Donate gently used clothing, shoes, furniture or household items. We accept items from 10am-4pm Monday through Friday at 2062 Weems Rd, Tucker GA 30084. We can pick up furniture items within 15 miles of our office. You can get more information at this link.
- Provide hygiene items so we can ensure each family member receives needed hygiene items at no cost.
I have been involved in the refugee serving nonprofit community for over ten years, and I feel immense gratitude that I have had the opportunity to meet so many incredible new Americans. Their stories are powerful and their resilience is incredible, and they are contributing in great ways to their communities. I am grateful for this important work, and grateful for the many people who come alongside newcomers in this spirit of welcome.
For more information on the Welcome Co-Op please visit their website here.