Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership

• Educating the community and elected officials about the current refugee crisis and refugee resettlement process;
• Advocating for policies addressing the root causes of the refugee crisis and increasing U.S. support for refugees; and
• Providing direct support for refugees and asylum seekers in the US and in the Birmingham community.

• Full support, which involves financial support (rent, food, health care, and legal expenses) as well as volunteer care team support (food delivery, transportation, English tutoring, etc.)
• Partial support, including some financial support and volunteer care team support when specific needs arise
• Volunteer care team support only (as needed and according to family needs)

Earlier this year, I was fortunate enough to be able to help a Guatemalan family come to the US to seek asylum after spending a year and a half living in a tent in the refugee camp in Matamoros, Mexico under Trump's Remain in Mexico policy. The mother and father left their home in the face of gang threats with their baby boy, C. While at the camp, they had their daughter, A. C is now 3 years old and A is 10 months old. They are living in Alabama where a great group of volunteers a ALIRP are helping them set up their new lives in the US. As part of that process, they have found an attorney to assist with their asylum claim and getting proper work permits. When it comes to asylum, having a lawyer MATTERS. According to the National Immigration Forum, the chances of obtaining asylum are statistically five times higher if the applicant has an attorney. In FY 2017, 90 percent of applicants without an attorney were denied, while almost half of those with representation were successful in receiving asylum. Can you help me give this asylum-seeking family a chance to raise their babies safely in the US? Any support you can provide will go directly toward legal fees and would be greatly appreciated!

More information about Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership Inc: We are an interfaith group of laypersons, clergy, community organizations who have come together for the purpose of helping refugees and asylum-seekers, in light of the current global refugee crisis. We are located in Birmingham, Alabama. The group does not engage in any proselytizing or promotion of any particular religion or political affiliation. Our goal is to support refugees and asylum-seekers locally and globally by: 1. Educating the community and elected officials about the current refugee crisis and the process of refugee resettlement; 2. Advocating for policies that address the root causes of the refugee crisis, and that increase U.S. support for refugees; and 3. Providing direct support for refugees and asylum-seekers in the US and in the Birmingham community.

Update 9.17.21

We've reached our goal! We're so grateful for the generosity of this community. Since we can only support two families at this time, we have stopped accepting donations for this campaign. If you would like to donate to ALIRP's general fund, you can do so here. 

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Like many of our friends and neighbors, our hearts were moved as watched the situation unfold in Afghanistan.  We knew that so many lives - many of whom have spent the last 20 years helping American forces - were about to be upended. As the only 501(c)3 in Birmingham dedicated to supporting refugees and asylum-seekers, the Alabama Interfaith Refugee Partnership (ALIRP) immediately began exploring ways we could support Afghan refugees making their way to the U.S. to start a new life.

As we explored our options, we learned that the only agency approved by the U.S. State Department to resettle refugees in Alabama (Catholic Social Services in Mobile) does not have plans at this time to resettle refugees fleeing Afghanistan.  However, the Atlanta-based Inspiritus Refugee and Immigrant Services program (affiliated with the Lutheran Refugee Resettlement program) will be helping to resettle a large number of Afghan refugees in the Atlanta area starting in September 2021. Inspiritus is seeking sponsors for these families (requiring a commitment of 6 months of sponsorship for $3000).
 
The ALIRP, in partnership with the Birmingham Islamic Society and the Birmingham Jewish Community, has committed to sponsoring one or more Afghan refugee families through Inspiritus.  We are hoping to raise at least $6,000* in order to sponsor at least two families.  There may also be opportunities for ALIRP volunteers to provide language instruction to Afghan refugees in Atlanta using social media.  To explore volunteer opportunities with ALIRP, please complete our Volunteer Interest form online .

We are excited about this opportunity to demonstrate that Alabamians care about our Afghan brothers and sisters. After spending the last two decades supporting American interests and values, we feel it is the least we can do to show up during this difficult transition and welcome these families into our communities.

To learn more about ALIRP, visit our website here.

To learn more about Inspiritus, visit their website here.

*Any donations above this goal will support general ALIRP efforts.