Did you know that around 750 refugees come to Rochester every year, most of whom have minimal to no resources? These members of our community encounter countless challenges, including language barriers, financial instability, and a lack of familiarity with the American system. In addition, many of the children who grow up here face peer pressure at school, and a family at home that doesn't underst
and these obstacles, due to large cultural gaps. Rochester for Refugees Everywhere (RocFREE) is a non-profit organization that hopes to provide local refugees with a sense of community through social services, education, and long-term support. Our aim is to strengthen a center in the heart of the city, Mary's Place, that aids hundreds of refugees with education, housing, employment, community building, and even services such as legal work and transportation to the doctors. While we plan to support the center through monetary donations, at the same time, we hope to raise awareness about Rochester's refugee population, to encourage members of our community to volunteer at the center and build relationships with refugees, and to donate necessary supplies, such as school supplies. With events throughout the year to promote these ideas, we can hopefully gather support from the Rochester community for this project, and make it into something that can provide our refugees with a sense of belonging. So spread the word, stay tuned for upcoming events, and join the cause. If you have any questions, ideas, or want more information, contact us at [email protected].
