Feeding Refugee Children in Chicago
Tax deductible
On Friday, Jan 27th members of my temple, Am Shalom Congregation in Glencoe, took in a Syrian refugee family with the help of RefugeeOne, hours before Syrian refugees were temporarily banned from entry. RefugeeOne is a Chicago based organization that assists refugees settling in Chicago. The story made national headlines.
I quickly contacted RefugeeOne and offered to volunteer my time for my senior project. For the last month of high school I left the safe environment of New Trier in favor of working with the children of refugees.
The after school program sponsored by RefugeeOne lasts from 4-6:30 every weekday.
The benefits of the after school program total up to:
+Access to student tudors who help the children with homework, expand their vocabulary, and help them succeed in American schools.
+A community of citizens that help integrate the kids into American society while also exposing them to cultures from around the world.
+Healthy snacks to supplment food received at home, as many of the families rely on food stamps and cash assitance. PB & J sandwich, apples, carrots are some of the snacks that the kids enjoy.
+ Access to electronics exposing the students to new technology that is crucial for schoolwork in this age.
+Removes the isolation felt from settling in a new place through group activites with other children, and volunteers.
= Happy children
Though RefugeeOne does whatever it can with the money it has, the snacks are not nearly enough to cover the hungry appetite of the kids. Some days I have brought in pizza from the Papa Johns across the street so that the children do not go home hungry.
The program provides many necessities, but for it to continue successfully, it needs your help.
$10 provides a new academic game or supplies
$25 provides a snack for one day.
$50 provides four delicious, warm pizzas or supplies for the upcoming summer program.
$100 provides a healthy snack for the 100 children that attend the program weekly.
$250 provides one iPad for academic enrichment.
All monies donated to RefugeeOne supports ongoing programs and makes it possible to expand the program in the future, which may make it possible for more children to attend. Due to the influx of Syrian Refugees being resettled by RefugeeOne, many families were placed outside of program attendance areas. Am Shalom sponsors children that are not able to come to the Chicago program because they live outside of the proximity.
I quickly contacted RefugeeOne and offered to volunteer my time for my senior project. For the last month of high school I left the safe environment of New Trier in favor of working with the children of refugees.
The after school program sponsored by RefugeeOne lasts from 4-6:30 every weekday.
The benefits of the after school program total up to:
+Access to student tudors who help the children with homework, expand their vocabulary, and help them succeed in American schools.
+A community of citizens that help integrate the kids into American society while also exposing them to cultures from around the world.
+Healthy snacks to supplment food received at home, as many of the families rely on food stamps and cash assitance. PB & J sandwich, apples, carrots are some of the snacks that the kids enjoy.
+ Access to electronics exposing the students to new technology that is crucial for schoolwork in this age.
+Removes the isolation felt from settling in a new place through group activites with other children, and volunteers.
= Happy children
Though RefugeeOne does whatever it can with the money it has, the snacks are not nearly enough to cover the hungry appetite of the kids. Some days I have brought in pizza from the Papa Johns across the street so that the children do not go home hungry.
The program provides many necessities, but for it to continue successfully, it needs your help.
$10 provides a new academic game or supplies
$25 provides a snack for one day.
$50 provides four delicious, warm pizzas or supplies for the upcoming summer program.
$100 provides a healthy snack for the 100 children that attend the program weekly.
$250 provides one iPad for academic enrichment.
All monies donated to RefugeeOne supports ongoing programs and makes it possible to expand the program in the future, which may make it possible for more children to attend. Due to the influx of Syrian Refugees being resettled by RefugeeOne, many families were placed outside of program attendance areas. Am Shalom sponsors children that are not able to come to the Chicago program because they live outside of the proximity.
Organizer
Daniel Kogan
Organizer
Glencoe, IL
RefugeeOne
Beneficiary