A  city  where  all  are  welcome

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The Chicago Refugee Coalition was established in 2018 with a mission to provide innovative, dignity-centered relief services for refugees in the Chicagoland area. Our organization is grounded in the needs and insights of the communities we serve. We are committed to dismantling systemic barriers and shifting away from the Global North paradigm.
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At the heart of our work is a belief in the goodness of humanity and our capacity for hospitality. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Chicago Refugee Coalition is dedicated to compassionate poverty relief and community empowerment, striving to alleviate human suffering in all its forms.

Research

At the Chicago Refugee Coalition, we are unafraid to tackle big questions and search for innovative solutions to our most pressing challenges. We recognize the importance of accurate reporting and judicious data collection to foster a more comprehensive and informed discussion around the modern refugee experience in the Chicagoland area.

We are committed to engaging in rigorous research and analysis to deepen our understanding of the issues that affect refugees, and to identify effective strategies for supporting them. By leveraging data and insights, we strive to develop evidence-based solutions that make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.

Advocacy 

Throughout its history, Chicago has been a sanctuary city for refugees, from the Great Migration to the present day. For those seeking refuge from persecution and danger, Chicago has always been a welcoming harbor. However, adjusting to life in the United States can be a significant challenge for those coming from conflict zones.
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The Chicago Refugee Coalition is committed to working with community stakeholders to provide comprehensive relief services. Our organization takes an innovative, multi-pronged approach to resettlement, ensuring that we offer the highest levels of care during the process while preserving the dignity and honor of the refugee.

Community Empowerment

At the Chicago Refugee Coalition, we believe in the adage "think global, act local" when it comes to community empowerment. Our approach to development initiatives emphasizes working directly with local communities, which leads to greater impact, fosters innovation, and promotes upward mobility.
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We prioritize poverty alleviation as a crucial component of community development. By focusing on economic independence and self-sufficiency, we empower refugees in the Chicagoland area to take control of their lives and become active contributors to their communities.

Our impact

The Chicago Refugee Coalition aims to provide the highest quality services in the most effective and efficient way possible. Since August 2018, we have been able to distribute over 65,000 meals to the refugee community in Rogers Park and the best news is that we're just getting started. While it's important to quantify our work, we also must remember that the people whom we're serving must always come first. We invite you to hear about our work in their own voices in this short video below -- thank you!

Frequently  asked  questions

​Why a "Coalition" approach?

Successful resettlement takes a lot of effort and it's a task we can not do alone. We believe in furthering the creation of a welcoming space for refugees/asylees in the Chicagoland area. Therefore, we partner with organizations that are better equipped to assist with special matters such as housing, mental health, and legal services. We aim to raise funds to supplement, or fully cover, the cost of these services to ensure that our refugees are getting high quality assistance with minimal financial impact. 

Does the Chicago Refugee Coalition offer services for newly arrived immigrants or asylum seekers?

Our commitment is to the holistic welfare of Chicago’s refugees who have previously navigated the resettlement journey and will benefit from further assistance post-resettlement. We stand in solidarity with and advocate for all partner agencies who work in the fields of immigration and asylum.

How do you identify refugees to assist?

We believe in taking a coalition style approach and we find families to assist through community outreach, referrals, or direct contact. The Chicago Refugee Coalition is not a resettlement agency funded by the U.S. Department of State nor does our organization assist in pre-arrival procedures. 

Do you identify and support refugees overseas?

We provide transitional assistance to refugees in need once they have reached the United States. Through community-based needs assessments, we have identified key issues relating to fostering upward economic mobility and independence post-arrival.

What services does the Chicago Refugee Coalition offer?

When a refugee family is referred to a resettlement agency, the United States government provides baseline cash assistance for a period of ninety days. We work to address the issues of support post-resettlement, after that ninety-day period has ended. Transitioning to a new country, culture and community presents many challenges, as well as opportunities. Through corporate partnerships, we address food scarcity through our food distribution program, while managing a first-of-its-kind Resource Center designed for those who have a lived experience of displacement. Through a strong coalition, we can support a holistic approach to meeting the full spectrum of refugees’ needs. We will work to ensure that the most vulnerable or invisible among us have an opportunity to achieve their hopes and dreams

Is my contribution tax deductible? 

Yes, the Chicago Refugee Coalition is a non-profit organization as classified under IRS Code 501(c)(3). Regardless of contribution amount, all online donations will receive a digital receipt within twenty-four hours of contribution deposit which will serve as a record for your tax filing. Paper acknowledgements are sent by the end of each calendar year. 

​Is your organization religiously or politically affiliated?

While the Chicago Refugee Coalition works with interfaith groups and assists refugees from a wide breadth of  religious backgrounds, our organization is, and will always remain, secular. Additionally, CRC is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse any candidate for public office.