Parker Civic Lab: Supplies for New Immigrants

Hi everyone! 

We're the Francis W. Parker School Immigration Justice Group, and we are fundraising in cooperation with RefugeeOne to buy household necessities and appliances for the Burmese Rohingya, Ukrainian, and Congolese refugees settling in the Chicagoland area. 

The Burmese Rohingya are fleeing their home country because of conflicts with the Burmese government that have lasted over five decades. The government in Burma has been denounced by many countries and international organizations for human rights abuses. 

Since early last year, Ukraine has been under attack by Russia, causing an existential threat to the country, and more than 7.1 million Ukrainians have been seeking shelter internationally, including in American cities like Chicago. 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo was greatly embroiled in the Rwandan genocide, leading to very difficult relations with Rwanda and a series of deadly wars. The Congolese government has been plagued by turmoil and other issues since these events that have caused mass immigration. 

Due to the dangerous conditions in their home countries, thousands have been forced to flee and seek asylum in countries like the U.S. 

To help make this transition easier, we’re aiming to raise $7,000 to pay for essential apartment items for immigrant families moving to Chicago in the coming weeks. These items will serve as a great way to help families settle in Chicago! 

Items we will be providing: 

30 Kitchen towels - $8 ea 

30 Baking pans - $10 ea 

20 colander - $25 ea 

200 hangers - $3 ea 

20 comforters (twin size) - $30 ea 

For Ukrainian homes:

Wooden rolling pins for making varenykyy (pierogi, dumplings) - $13 ea 

Trad’l embroidered table runner or rushnyk (to wrap a bread or pastry as a welcome gift) - $20 ea 

We hope you’ll find it in your hearts to donate to help these people find welcoming homes here in the States. Any amount is appreciated! 

Many thanks,

Parker Immigration Justice Group

(Harry, Benjamin, Kate, Lyric, Saroya, Brian, Joshua, Krish, Warner, Calan, Noami, Julia, Ryan, Monet, Kyra)