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"The mission of RFS is to support the efforts of refugee women and children to achieve self-sufficiency in the United States by providing education and economic opportunity." |
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Mark Your Calendars
Taste the World Auction Committee
If you would like to be a part of the most exciting international event of the year, we have a job for you! Last year's signature gala, Taste the World, was held at Zoo Atlanta and raised $50,000. This year's event will be on Saturday, April 14, 2012, and we need your help to make the 2012 event even bigger! Volunteers are needed now to help secure auction items and donations. If you're interested in helping, email our Special Events Coordinator, Becca Alexander, Becca Alexander.
Visualize Rights Atlanta Exhibit
Come see RFS student artisans in a gallery setting! Visit the Visualize Rights Atlanta Art Exhibit at the Auburn Avenue Research Library from December 8th through the 30th! Read on...
TORN FROM HOME
My Life as a Refugee
Visit The Breman Museum now through January 8, 2012 to see a hands-on, special exhibition about a refugee's journey from hardships to hope for a bright future. Read on... |
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Our Most Commonly Asked Questions
What nationalities do you serve?
RFS serves populations from around the world, including Burma, Bhutan, Iraq, Somalia, Eritrea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Burundi, Iran, Kenya, Darfur, and Sudan.
Read on... |
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Candler Social Concerns Network Cooks for a Cause!
On November 10th students and faculty from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University held the 3rd annual Chili Cook Off to benefit RFS! The Candler Social Concerns Network coordinated the festivities and helped raise over $1200 for Refugee Family Services. Thank you, Candler School of Theology, for your unfailing support of RFS and refugees in the Atlanta area!
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Refugee Family Services, Inc.
5561-H Memorial Drive
Stone Mountain, Georgia 30083
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RFS Receives Grant to Restore Women's Employment Assistance
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Inc. recently selected Refugee Family Services to receive a $20,000 Carefree Fund grant to support the Women's Job Skills and Placement Program. "This is a really needed program," says Women's Program Director Nermina Silnovic, "All of our services are important but without employment, everything in a refugee's life is put on the back burner just trying to make it month to month." This generous grant will help restore the Women's Job Skills program and will help empower refugee women with knowledge and skills they can use to succeed in the American workforce. Thank you, Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta for making this vital program possible once more!
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Walk a Mile in My Shoes
 On November 2nd, the students of Notre Dame Academy gathered for a Fun Run. But instead of simply bringing their own pair of running shoes to this year's event, each student brought a pair of shoes for a refugee. The campaign, called "Walk a Mile in My Shoes", was organized by teacher Patti Phillips' fifth grade class to raise awareness about refugees in the Atlanta area and to help equip refugee students with warm shoes for winter. Throughout the fall semester, Notre Dame students have been communicating with RFS afterschool students via blogs. Through this pen-pal experience, Notre Dame students decided to organize the "Walk a Mile in My Shoes" drive. Over 150 Pre-K, After School, and YES program studentswere given a new pair of shoes. The students love their new shoes! One After School student loved his new rain boots so much that he wore them for three days straight even though it wasn't raining. Thank you so much, Notre Dame Academy, for your generous efforts to support our students! |
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Fire Drill & Safety Day
On Saturday November 19th, RFS held its Annual Fire Safety Day to promote fire prevention within the Clarkston refugee community. With support from the DeKalb County Department of Human Services, the festivities focused on eliminating hazards, preventing fires, and developing fire escape plans. At this year's event, more than 60 community members attended presentations on fire safety and enjoyed exploring a DeKalb County fire truck! In addition, a very special group of volunteers from  World Changers Church International put countless smiles on kids' faces through games, activities, crafts, and snacks! RFS would like to extend a HUGE thank you to everyone who made this year's Fire Safety Day one to be remembered! |
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Refugees Organizing in Action News
Sixteen ROA Collaborative members and leaders recently completed the leadership training lead by the GALEO Institute's Jose Blanco and sponsored by the ROA Ethnic Community Self- Help Project. This year's training will help prepare refugee community leaders to become more equipped to solve issues in their communities. Upon completion of the program on December 3rd, participants graduated with a certificate in Community Leadership. |
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Healthy Eating Habits
This month, the RFS Parents As Teachers (PAT) Program held a series of nutrition classes for refugee women, designed to improve family wellbeing through healthy eating habits. More than 30 refugee family members attended the workshop and learned how to maintain a balanced diet.  With help from the Global Growers Network and UGA Extension Family & Consumer Coordinator, Jessica Hill, the PAT Program made another stride toward helping refugee parents become their children's "best first teachers"! |
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YES Holds Career Day
The Youth Empowered for Success program held an exciting and engaging career day on November 12th for 35 high school aged refugee students. Four presenters- an engineer, a nurse, an entrepreneur, and a police chief - gave youth an insight into their professions and sparked thoughts of career opportunities for refugee students. With help from their mentors, students learned that with hard work and focus they can achieve success in any field they choose. |
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