Denver Refugee and Immigrant Vitalization and Empowerment (DRIVE)
DRIVE is a community-based nonprofit organization that has been established to activate civic engagement and increase public policy and advocacy work within the refugee and immigrant communities.
We are on a journey with immigrants and refugees to empower them to reach the highest peaks of the American dream.
See our mission in action by watching the short video below. Maytham Alshadood, our founding executive director, was interviewed by Big Picture Media Company about what drives his passion for empowering immigrants and refugees to become their own advocates.
How Local Policy Shapes the Lives of Refugees
Access to Housing and Shelter
Local housing policies have an immediate bearing on the living opportunities allowed to refugees, the timing of their placement in permanent homes, and the quality of life they experience. Refugees might wind up in overcrowded shelters or be subjected to long waiting periods, especially when areas lack affordable housing options or zoning regulations are too restrictive.
Education Opportunities for Refugee Children
School enrollment policies (and by extension language support programs, and transportation access) vary from place to place; they determine how easily refugee children may attend school traditionally. Some jurisdictions go so far as to devote special resources to the matter, e.g., ESL courses, or trauma-informed care, which aid in children's adjustment.
Employment and Economic Participation
Whether refugees can get gainful employment depends on the local workforce development programs, licensing laws, and the availability of job training. Some local governments make sure to provide support for job placement and recognize foreign credentials, but there are also places where restrictive policies push refugees into low-paid or under-the-counter employment.
Access to Healthcare and Social Services
Local health policies also affect refugees' eligibility for public healthcare, mental health, as well as support programs. Inclusive policies might cater to the treatment of trauma, chronic conditions, and preventive care, whereas ones with restrictive bureaucracies might further delay said treatment as well as worsen the outcome of their cases.
Understanding the Refugee Resettlement Process
What Is Refugee Resettlement?
Refugee resettlement implies transfer wherein people having fled their countries of origin due to conflict, persecution, or disaster are provided a safe third country where they may start life afresh. Governments and international organizations such as the UNHCR identify refugees for resettlement who cannot return home and find themselves insecure in their host country.
Key Steps in the Resettlement Journey
The unique nature of the refugee resettlement process embraces many critical phases. It starts with refugee registration and status determination, followed by being referred to a resettlement program. Upon acceptance, background checks, medical screenings, and cultural orientations are conducted. From the receiving country, housing, education, employment, and the like are followed up in support of integration.
Who Is Involved in the Process?
Refugee resettlement is a process involving several stakeholders. Governments of resettling countries approve and prepare arrivals. NGOs, faith-based groups, and local agencies then provide for the basic needs of these individuals: housing, schooling, and preparation in job language. On occasion, volunteers join this network in welcoming and mentoring new arrivals.
Challenges and Opportunities in Integration
Entering into another society is both challenging and rewarding for a refugee. They encounter such barriers as language, unfamiliar cultural norms, trauma, and limited resources. Enhanced by supportive systems, however, they bring forth great resilience, various skills, and angles of fresh thought to a host community. Indigenous and inclusive policies, open-mindedness of locals, and services with open arms, all come into play during integration.
Why Refugees and Immigrants Are Vital to the Future
Fueling Economic Growth and Innovation
Immigrants fill the gap left by labor shortage, start businesses at a higher rate than native citizens, and have pay billions of taxes. Their entrepreneurial spirit is what keeps industries from tech startup-level all the way down to mom-and-pop stores that serve households and local communities. As such, greeting them is an act of kindness plus long-term economic investment for prosperity, industrial expansion, and job creation.
Enriching Cultural Diversity and Social Fabric
Migration brings languages, cooking styles, traditions, and perspiring thoughts. Refugees and immigrants build up an inclusive, multicultural community where diversity constitutes acceptance instead of opposition. This tooltip of culture tends towards social cohesion. Activities, music, and storytelling become vitalizers when voices echoing from all over the world get welcomed and heard.
Strengthening Aging Populations and Workforce Sustainability
Aged and henceforth birthing fewer: with population decrease in some countries, with a huge pressure upon health services, pensions, and the sustainment of employment. Refugees and immigrants may remedy this demographic situation. In doing so, by entering the workforce and paying taxes, these newcomers help shore up public liability in services.
Advancing Human Rights and Global Responsibility
Acceptance of refugees and immigrants reflects our shared commitment to human rights and worldwide solidarity. Whenever countries respect the right to asylum and afford newcomers humane treatment, they uplift democratic values and assume moral leadership in the global community. Refugees fleeing war and persecution need a place of safety, and they nurture into some of the most earnest citizens.
10 Ways to Support Refugee and Immigrant Communities
Welcome to a Platform for Positive Change
Whether you're an individual, a business, or part of an organization, big things are possible in helping those newly arrived. From volunteering and donating to policy advocacy, their ability to make an impact counts. Change comes from little things; small steps take us farther toward creating stronger and more diverse communities.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
Refugees and immigrants are often put in challenging situations with little more than hope. With all the logistics, they also need to feel accepted and understood in their environment. Helping create a healing atmosphere, extend trust, and brighten the way to a hopeful future is what these communities do when they lend a helping hand.
What You'll Learn Inside
Doable options include volunteering locally; patronizing immigrant businesses; and raising awareness through storytelling. The methods described are inclusive and practical, for those just getting into it and those much more aware. Real examples and community insights will inspire you to get involved further. Everything counts, so even the smallest change can be a great step forward.
Be the Voice, Be the Change
Awareness initiates change, but it intensifies with action. Raise your voice for just policies. Donate to refugee-supporting organizations. Extend a hand of friendship to someone arriving in a new country. However small, your effort matters. It's not about great, big gestures; it's about consistent support that comes from the heart.