Blog

Cristobal and Martha are a power couple, dedicating so much of their time and energy to helping anyone who needs a little extra help. The words and actions behind the work that we witnessed from Martha and Cristobal are absolutely reflected in the name of their Church and non-profit organization - Helping With All My Heart.

I have so many questions: how do we decide who deserves refuge and who doesn’t? Have we ever needed refuge, or even imagined what circumstances would send us thousands of miles by foot to beg for refuge? But it comes down to one: “who would I give shelter to?”... I lie awake at night wondering what I can possibly say to help people understand what I’ve come to know for myself.

Six weeks almost to the day from when we were officially recognized as an on-campus organization, we held our first event as the newly-formed pilot chapter of TSOS.

Everyone can do something to drown out hate with love. We can all go to the places where newcomers are settling in our own communities and cheer louder.

In concert with World Refugee Day celebrations, One Journey Festival, whose mission is to amplify refugee voices and enhance public awareness of refugee talents and contributions, hosted its 2nd annual event at the National Cathedral at the end of June drawing more than 5,000 participants. TSOS was there along with 200+ businesses and refugee support organizations for the day-long festival featured music, dance, storytelling, soccer, a take action tent, virtual reality, speakers, refugee-owned food trucks, a robust marketplace, unity parade, and more.

Are you feeling helpless and wish you knew who and how to help? While in Arizona, we met and interviewed many organizations that are on the ground, in the trenches, meeting the immediate and urgent needs of those coming directly from ICE detention centers.

Food is a universal way of communicating who we are, where we've come from, and what we have to offer those around us. There are few things more central and foundational to our human connectedness than through the act of breaking bread together.

On June 20, 2019 representatives from our TSOS-D.C. team celebrated World Refugee Day at the Sunset Run for Refugees, walking the 2-mile route from George Washington University to Lincoln Memorial.

I can't help but be reminded of this truth, that is screaming through my exhausted body and soul today: THEIR STORY IS MY STORY.

It comes as no surprise that mental health issues are common among refugees. Fleeing your home and country means loss and disconnection, but knowing what disconnects can help build reconnection.