Today, in the United States, we recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and with it a call to serve. The only holiday designated as a National Day of Service, today we are invited to follow the example of Dr. Martin Luther Martin King Jr. who spent his live in service to others, especially those who have been marginalized.
You can respond to this call to serve, but doing just one thing to serve the more than 70 million people forced to leave their homes to seek safety. At JRS/USA, we think that no matter where you live, there are ways that you can respond to today’s refugee crisis. The response that is needed to help refugees is both individual and collective: solidarity is not just an ideal, but is expressed in concrete actions and steps that draw us closer to our neighbors, in whatever situation they find themselves. Doing just one thing – advocating, volunteering, sharing, participating – in your community can help refugees and migrants.
Need some ideas? Here are a few ways you can #Do1Thing
Experience – Use JRS/USA’s Walk a Mile in My Shoes Refugee Simulation and provide your community with an opportunity to pause and learn about the experience, the frustrations, disappointments and hopes that refugees around the world face.
Write – Send a message of hope and solidarity by writing a postcard to a refugees. Visit anyrefugee.org to learn more about how.
Advocate – Send a letter to your elected officials and urge change from foreign policy decision-makers about the importance of U.S. leadership on refugee issues. Or, Join us for 2020 Advocacy Day in Washington, DC.
Pray – Pray for protection for refugees as well as for personal transformation as we face the needs of refugees everywhere. Click here for a prayer for refugees.
Fundraise – Gather your local community or parish and raise funds for refugees around the world. Click here to contact the JRS/USA development team to get started.
