Looking at today’s international refugee and migrant crisis, trying to help can seem overwhelming — here are some things you can do to make a difference.
DONATE
No matter where you are, there are organizations dedicated to helping refugees and migrants.
United States: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
Canada: The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR)
International: Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC)
SPONSOR A REFUGEE
Do you or someone you know want to help sponsor a refugee? Through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program, you may be able to help sponsor refugees from abroad who qualify to come to Canada. Click here to find out how.
VOLUNTEER
Make a difference in your community, volunteer! Here’s a database of organizations in Canada seeking volunteers.
Here’s a database of organizations in the United States that may be seeking volunteers.
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL POLITICIAN
Contacting your local politician is one of the most direct ways to be heard. Find a guide on how to do so, here.
SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA – JOIN THE MOVEMENT!
When people join together in a movement, that movement grows stronger. Download our infographic and join the cause online with Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or any other social media and use the hashtag: #DontLookAway
CALL 211 AND ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
In British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Nunavut, you can visit 211.ca or call 211 toll-free to find out how you can offer support for refugees. 211 is Canada’s primary source of information on government and community- based health and social services.
VOTE!
When the election comes around, make sure to vote and to make your vote count. Vote for a candidate that cares about what you do. If you’re in America, find out using NPR’s “Where Congress Stands On Trump’s Refugee And Immigration Order” tool online.