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This National Volunteer Week, communities across the country partner with the ̽����ѡ to welcome and empower refugees, asylum seekers, and survivors of trafficking. In these turbulent times, collective support and dedicated service means more than ever.

The ̽����ѡ in Boise launches an appeal to support its immigration and citizenship program. There is a high demand from refugees and immigrants for citizenship support.  People who have held green cards for many years are stepping forward to finish the process.  Families have sometimes before made difficult decisions to protect one family member and not others due to the cost. Now, with the support of ̽����ѡ's dedicated donors, these families will not have to face these gut wrenching decisions.  Any funds raised in excess of those needed for the immediate needs of the clients will support the ̽����ѡ in Boise's immigration program, including coordinating large scale citizenship workshops, promoting know your rights workshops and citizenship exam prep classes.

Former ̽����ѡ (̽����ѡ) client Patrick Karera -- a Congolese refugee who fled violence in his home country and overcame extensive health complications -- graduated from high school this spring. ̽����ѡ staff were present to cheer him on.

“This work has put it all in perspective for me. What I once only read about or heard about in the news, now has a face to it. The struggle refugees and immigrants go through, how much they want to contribute to their new country – they just want a normal life. A safe life.”

This National Volunteer Week meet some of our long-term volunteers who help the ̽����ѡ in Dallas.

The Human-trafficking Outreach, Prevention and Education (HOPE) Program provides comprehensive services to survivors of human trafficking, as well as training and outreach to increase awareness and identification of survivors.

Growing up in Afghanistan, Fatima was taken out of school at a young age and never learned to write her name. After she and her family left their war-torn country to come to Turlock in 2018, she enrolled earlier this year in ̽����ѡ's Afghan Path to Wellness course. Now, after finishing the course, Fatima can write her name and has obtained her learner's permit.

Since January 2018 the ̽����ѡ in Dallas has been on a journey to create a space for refugee youth to share their thoughts, experiences, and interests.

Refugees and new American farmers participating in New Roots work hard through the summer growing season to support their families and provide fresh produce at an affordable rate for the communities they live in.

After fleeing persecution in his home country, one political asylee explains how the ̽����ѡ's Financial Capability program has helped him gain the financial knowledge he needs to not only survive, but thrive, in his new community.