5 Ways Christians Can Support Refugee Employment & Entrepreneurship

By Fargol Dyrud and Kylie Mean, Greater Boston Refugee Ministry

We at the Greater Boston Refugee Ministry have learned that employment is one the toughest issues refugees face in rebuilding their lives in the US. The Christian community has a vital role to play in addressing this widespread challenge.

A church’s extensive social network can provide refugees with connections that can speed up the process of finding a job or starting a business, in some cases by years. Welcoming refugees into our community network can transform their employment and entrepreneurship journey.

REFUGEE VOICES

"Before I got my first job, I was lost and under pressure." - Afghan woman

If you’re interested in making a positive difference in the lives of refugees, pray with your church community about how God may be calling you to engage in refugee employment or entrepreneurship in any of the following ways.

ways you can HELP

“Working with refugees has enhanced my life. It just has!
- Meggaan Ward, Beautiful Day Rhode Island”

1. As a Potential Employer

If you are a hiring manager, or are part of the hiring process, consider hiring a refugee. Their credentials may not look the same as some other candidates, but consider how their skills, experience, and resilient character may benefit your company.

2. As an Advocate

Speak to friends, co-workers, and others in your community about the value of refugees as workers, consumers, and contributors of rich cultural diversity to their neighborhoods. Encourage others to celebrate refugees as gifts to our workplaces, communities, and local economies.

Our Refugee Advocate Toolkit can help you share with others the positive difference refugees make in American communities. Sign up to receive conversation starters, facts & figures, and other resources.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Subject

Your Interests

I’m interested in the Refugee Advocate Toolkit

I’m interested in volunteering as a job search helper

I have info to share about local refugee ministries

I’m interested in an internship with GBRM

My church is interested in a GBRM consultation

Tell Us More

3. As a Job Search Volunteer

Several organizations in the Greater Boston area support refugee employment and entrepreneurship, and they welcome volunteers to help with résumé-building, mentoring, mock interviews, and job application help.

If you are interested, let us know, and we can help point you towards some options.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Subject

Your Interests

I’m interested in the Refugee Advocate Toolkit

I’m interested in volunteering as an employment helper

I have info the share about local refugee ministries

I’m interested in an internship with GBRM

My church is interested in a GBRM consultation

Tell Us More

4. As a Community Researcher/Learner

Add to our knowledge of resources available for our refugee neighbors. If you know of an organization that is doing great work in refugee employment or entrepreneurship in the Boston area, share what you know with GBRM. You may also consider serving GBRM as a research intern.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Subject

Your Interests

I’m interested in the Refugee Advocate Toolkit

I’m interested in volunteering as an employment helper

I have info the share about local refugee ministries

I’m interested in an internship with GBRM

My church is interested in a GBRM consultation

Tell Us More

5. As a Church Community

Each church has different skills they can leverage in addressing the issue of refugee employment and entrepreneurship. Your community of faith can offer:

access to essential resources and knowledge
mentoring relationships
a sense of community and connection
a space for refugees to soundboard/test business ideas

Refugee Voices

"I think the churches could support refugees in many ways. They could maybe do some more connecting...they could plan some activities, get people together, support them more, get them into the society.” - Karen

God may have also gifted your church in specific ways that you can use to bless refugees looking for a job or hoping to start a business. Does your church have ESL programs, classroom space, members with industry-specific skills, etc.?

GBRM would love to help your church think through what could be your special leverage point within the refugee employment and entrepreneurship system.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Subject

Message

Your Interests

I’m interested in the Refugee Advocate Toolkit

I’m interested in volunteering as an employment helper

I have info the share about local refugee ministries

I’m interested in an internship with GBRM

My church is interested in a GBRM consultation

TAKE ACTION

Learn More

Connect

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Subject

Message

Give

Inquire About Internships with GRBM

Thank you for your interest in GBRM! Tell us a little about yourself.

Name

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Subject

Tell us about your interest in refugee ministry!

Fargol Dyrud

Fargol was a 2017 GBRM research associate working in refugee employment/entrepreneurship and refugee housing as a part of her MBA. As an Iranian immigrant whose life has been affected by geopolitical forces, she empathizes with refugees and is passionate about serving them. Fargol leverages her fresh, insider perspective to push the boundaries of the refugee resettlement/recovery field.

Kylie Mean

Kylie’s heart for social enterprise, intercultural ministry and hospitality fits well with her role with EGC’s Greater Boston Refugee Ministry. She helps GBRM leadership and ambassadors consider how they can empower refugees and their employers to create transformational employment opportunities.

HOW ARE WE DOING?

Back to intercultural ministry

Back to refugees

Back to resources

Building bridges between the Church & the nations at our doorstep.

Oct 19, 2016

Mar 1, 2013

Christian Engagement with Muslims in the United States

Mar 1, 2013

Listen in on a video conversation on Christian engagement with Muslims in the U.S. where panelists talk about positive and objectionable interactions Christians may have with our Muslim neighbors.

Mar 1, 2013

Oct 15, 2008

Cambodian Ministries

Oct 15, 2008

The Killing Fields of the Cambodian holocaust that took place from 1975 to 1979 under the leadership of the Khmer Rouge left over a million dead and led to a flood of refugees fleeing from Cambodia. Many escaped from this horrific event to neighboring countries, while others sought safety around the world. A portion of the refugees came to the United States in the early 1980s in an attempt to start their lives afresh. Today, the Greater Boston area has the second highest concentration of Cambodians in America, some estimating as many as 30,000, with the majority living in Lynn, just 10 miles north of Boston, and Lowell, 30 miles to the northwest.

Oct 15, 2008