COAR blogs

COAR Spring/Summer Newsletter 2009

kdonley — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 19:17:47 +0000

In an environment and cost-saving move, COAR will no longer be printing and mailing our quarterly newsletters. Instead, please find the PDF attached. Thank you very much for reading and providing feedback!

Also, special thanks to volunteer Robin Rentrope for designing this issue.

Cheers,

Kelli Donley

Executive Director

2009-2010 COAR Leadership Team

kdonley — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:57:11 +0000

We are pleased to announce the 2009-2010 COAR Leadership Team:

Support COAR at our Chili's Give-Back Night on April 20th!

wzupac — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:43:42 +0000

Community Outreach & Advocacy will be hosting a Give-Back Night at the Chili's on Mill Ave on Monday, April 20th, 2009 from 4 pm to 11 pm..15% of the proceeds will go to COAR and we would love to see you there! In order for a percentage of your bill to be donated to COAR, you must present the attached coupon to your server before you order. We are not allowed to hand out coupons at Chili's or on their property so please print the coupon out beforehand and bring it with you when you dine out!

Chili's Give Back Night!

kdonley — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 19:42:39 +0000

Please join us from 4-10 pm, Monday, April 20th at Chili's on University and Mill for COAR's Give-Back night. The restaurant will donate 15% of all sales to COAR. Be sure to print the attached coupon and bring it with you!

See you at Chili's!

Now recruiting for the position of Programs Director

wzupac — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 18:34:23 +0000

Programs Director Job Description:

The Programs Director will work in close collaboration with many different leaders within COAR including the Executive Director, Operations Director and the COAR Programs Committee in directing COAR’s three programs. The Programs Director is the spokesperson for COAR’s programs particularly at staff meetings, which they are required to attend. The Programs Director will be responsible for guiding and supporting up to 14 program staff in the implementation of program activities. The Programs Director is a key mentor to the interns on COAR’s program teams, providing them with structure, feedback, oversight and encouragement as they manage their programs and learn leadership skills. Specifically the duties of the Programs Director include:

International Rights & Culture Festival

wzupac — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:02:51 +0000

Did you know that refugees from over 50 different countries live in Arizona?

Join Community Outreach & Advocacy for Refugees on March 17th for the International Rights & Culture Festival to find out more! The Festival will be held on Hayden Lawn from 10 am to 2 pm.

We will have free food, the opportunity to play a refugee trivia game for prizes, live performances, and refugee speakers who will be sharing their experiences.

Economics of it All

kdonley — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:19:41 +0000

I’ve had friends and family ask me recently what the recent economic news means to refugees in the United States; needless to say, if the upper and middle class are watching their retirement funds shrink and cutting back to make ends meet, refugees working minimum wage jobs are struggling that much more. Refugees are given legal permission to work as soon as they arrive in the United States. In fact, they are encouraged to do so. Sustainability and integration in America for refugee families are key goals to resettlement, and employment is a priority.

Spring Semester Off to a Roaring Start

kdonley — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 17:24:55 +0000

As you know, most of COAR’s volunteers are ASU students. We have been incredibly fortunate to have a committed pool of bright, young and committed folk who help see our programs to success. With the new spring semester starting this week, COAR’s office has been hopping with activity.

Reaching Higher Artwork: Despair & Hope on Canvas

kdonley — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 19:22:17 +0000

Our Reaching Higher College Prep program partners refugee high school students with community mentors for one school year. COAR provides six workshops during the year to help prepare these refugee students for high school graduation and the continuation of their education in college. During our first workshop this year, refugees and mentors were asked to paint their feelings regarding their “home.”

Become a Tutor: Help a Refugee Student!

kdonley — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:56:11 +0000

With the new year, COAR has many reasons to celebrate. First and foremost – thank you! We met our Lodestar matching grant goal and are so very appreciative to all of our generous donors. We will now receive an additional $10,000 because of your kindness!

COAR Nears Lodestar Goal

kdonley — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:44:28 +0000

Hello! We hope you are having a fantastic holiday season and are happy, healthy and ready for a fantastic 2009. COAR is gearing up for a great new year, including more programs and new funding.
You may have heard of Lodestar – a local foundation that generously provides matching grants to nonprofits. COAR is in its second year of Lodestar funding. In 2007, we raised $10,000, which was matched with $10,000 from the foundation. This year, COAR must raise $20,000 by December 31 to receive the additional $10,000. We are within $2000 of our goal.

Wishing You a Wonderful Holiday

kdonley — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:26:50 +0000

We cannot tell you enough how lucky we are to have your support; 2008 has been a great year for COAR. We’ve expanded our programs, spoken at countless community events, hosted soccer tournaments and film series, added incredible members to our board of directors, hired two full-time employees and moved into our own little office.
While we are small, we are growing. This is only possible due to your generosity. We are forever thankful, as are the hundreds of refugees in Arizona who are able to help as a result of your kindness.

Working Poor Tax Credit Benefits COAR

kdonley — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:17:13 +0000

Have you heard of the Working Class tax credit in Arizona? It gives tax payers a chance to donate $200 as a single or $400 for joint-filing to a non-profit that focuses on helping the working poor. COAR qualifies! Your dollar-for-dollar tax credit – up to $400 – can support our work improving the well-being of Arizona’s refugees.
The details:
-First you must establish a baseline year and amount for when you began giving charitable deductions (from 1996 on). The credit is determined by the amount given above your current baseline.

Make this a COAR Christmas & New Year

kdonley — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:38:56 +0000

Planning on shopping for the holidays this weekend? Let COAR make it that much easier. Please consider purchasing one of our gift certificates! These certificates fund a variety of our projects – work that directly improves the well-being of Arizona’s refugee community.
Instead of meaningless stocking stuffers that will soon be forgotten, or yet another gift that may be returned, opt for a gift that will have a long-lasting change in our community. Your recipient will receive a lovely COAR gift certificate, along with an explanation of our programs.

In Thanks

kdonley — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:57:24 +0000

Thank you very much for your dedication to COAR. Our organization is small, but mighty and with our growing base of supporters, we are reaching more Arizona refugee families with our programs this year than ever before.

Connect with COAR

kdonley — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 16:14:04 +0000

As you know, November is COAR membership month. Thank you very much to those who’ve signed up on our website as members and donated toward our work. We truly appreciate your support! Right now, your donations mean even more; we are working toward a $20,000 fundraising goal for a matching grant of $10,000. In other words, for every $10 you give COAR, we will receive $15.
www.coarweb.org/civicrm/contribute/transact?reset=1&id=1
Thank you again!

COAR 2009 Internship Opportunities

kdonley — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:33:14 +0000

Believing in their dignity and potential, COAR supports locally resettled refugees in their efforts to rebuild positive, self-sufficient lives. COAR mobilizes community networks and resources to help refugees adjust to their new surroundings and promote their future success.

Congolese Refugees Flee Violence: Find Success in Arizona

kdonley — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:20:19 +0000

The recent wave of violence in Congo has sent thousands fleeing for their lives, running for shelter in refugee camps. The images are haunting: women carry dead children, men hobble with missing limbs, and people balance precious possessions on their heads while maneuvering through jungle. Cholera has reached the refugee camps and many of those who survived the journey are now fighting infectious disease too.
The situation seems impossible. Congo has long been plagued by violence and disease. These latest wave continue to rattle an unstable, yet beautiful, country.

Human Rights Film Series Starts TONIGHT!

kdonley — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 19:42:10 +0000

Join COAR tonight at 7 pm in the Gold Room of ASU's Memorial Union for a showing of "Don't Fence Me In."

The film is the first in conjunction with the ASU West Human Rights series this Fall. Other events include additional film screenings, panel discussions and speakers.

For more information about the series, visit: http://www.west.asu.edu/publicaffairs/public_events/?i=765

See you at the movies!

World Unity Day Event

kdonley — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:19:38 +0000

World Unity Day Event will take place on Friday, November 7th from 10AM - 12 Noon at the Desert West Community Center. You are invited to attend to learn more about different cultures and communities represented in Arizona! COAR and other community outreach organizations will have a table with additional information on volunteering and getting involved. Dave Deneau, of the City of Phoenix will provide a presentation on human rights.

Address
6501 W. Virginia Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85035

One Heart Betrayed -- First Friday Event

kdonley — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:51:02 +0000

A multimedia, interactive, public art project on and in a 20 foot metal shipping container. Walk inside this airless prison to experience first hand, through music, painting, sculpture and video, the human rights abuses in Eritrea.
First Friday Artwalk
Friday night, Nov. 7
Holgas Art Gallery
821 N 3rd Street in
Phoenix

Reaching Higher for a New Life

kdonley — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:09:14 +0000

More than 20 high school students who came to Arizona as refugees have been paired with local community members in COAR’s Reaching Higher program. The program was created to help refugee high school students prepare for college through a series of workshops and mentorship.

2008 Human Rights Seminar Series

kdonley — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 22:24:25 +0000

Noon-1:30 pm, Monday, November 3, Dave Holness will present: "The Right to Food in South Africa: Giving Substance to Socioeconomic Rights."

Holness is the campus law clinic director at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. The event takes place at ASU West -- 47th Ave. and Thunderbird.

Noon-1:30 pm, Monday, November 10, Simon Weldehaimont will present: "The Human Rights Situation in Eritrea: The Promise Betrayed."

COAR Youth Refugee Soccer Day!

kdonley — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 20:33:43 +0000

What: COAR and SC del Sol are hosting a refugee youth soccer clinic

When: 2-4 pm, Sunday, November 16th

Where: ASU West Soccer Fields (47th Avenue & Thunderbird)

COAR Needs Your Help!

kdonley — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:03:42 +0000

According to the Giving USA Foundation 2008 report, Americans gave more than $306 billion to charity last year. Some 74% of these donations ($229 billion) were given by individual donors.

As you know, COAR is in a great growth phase. We’ve expanded to our own office, have two full-time employees and are reaching out to help more refugees in Arizona than ever before. As we expand services, we are also taking a closer look at our funding. Today, COAR receives the majority of funding from grants.

Community Pulls Together During Time of Financial Unrest

kdonley — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 23:03:38 +0000

The financial headlines are scary, but the lines at the food pantries are even more telling: Arizonans, especially minority populations like refugees, are feeling the latest wave of financial unrest. The latest data from the Association of Arizona Food Banks shows a 39% increase in the number of requests for emergency food banks compared to this same time last year. There is also a 20% increase in clients at food banks statewide.

Closing Reception of Refugee Exhibit Thursday

kdonley — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:32:36 +0000

On behalf of the International Rescue Committee and the ASU Museum of Anthropology

You are invited to the closing reception of:

From Harm to Home: Through the Eyes of Refugee Children

Oct. 2, 2008
5 – 7 p.m.
ASU Museum of Anthropology ( http://asuma.asu.edu/VisitUs )

Fall 2008 COAR Advocate Newsletter

kdonley — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:07:33 +0000

Please find our Fall 2008 COAR Advocate newsletter attached. We hope you'll take a moment to read what we've been busy with, and how we are preparing for another fabulous year of working iwth refugee families in Arizona.

Thank you for your continued support of COAR!

Cheers,

Kelli M. Donley

Executive Director

Refugees Pouring into Arizona: COAR Gears up for Great Year

kdonley — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:39:18 +0000

Thanks so much for being patient with us during the last two months; with the transition of staff, a new office and a new school year – COAR is having a hectic, while wonderful, growth spurt.

Volunteer Applications are due September 19th

wzupac — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 20:49:54 +0000

I would like to remind everyone that the deadline to turn in volunteer applications online is approaching- the applications are due next Friday, September 19th. If you have not filled out an application yet, but are interested in volunteering with a recently resettled refugee family through the Volunteer Anchor Program, or mentoring a high school aged refugee student in the Reaching Higher College Prep Program, please fill one out now!