Friends of Refugees

Making a splash this summer!!! ☀️🏊

This past week, our refugee youth started swim lessons thanks to the generosity of a wonderful donor who opened their pool to our students. For many of these kids, it was their very first time in a pool and their first experience learning this important life skill.

Beyond learning to swim, they built confidence and share a day filled with laughter, friendship, and fun.

We are so grateful for community members who create opportunities like this and help our youth feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged to thrive. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, 16 youth have already been sponsored for the summer program! We are hoping to sponsor at least 54 youth. Will you help sponsor a child and give them the opportunity to enjoy exciting field trips, enriching activities, and unforgettable experiences this season? 💙

Write “youth” in the comment section when making your donation.

https://friendsofrefugees.com/donate/

Last Saturday, we welcomed over 350 guests to our Refugee Recipe Celebration! In partnership with Atlanta Botanical Garden , we hosted four incredible chef demonstrations, watched performances from around the world, and enjoyed the Botanical Garden in its full summer bloom. All of the recipes made in the demonstration area can be found at https://atlantabg.org/garden-chef-recipes/

Thank you to all our incredible partners at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, as well as our chefs and musical performers!

Photos courtesy of Atlanta Botanical Garden !

A group of 15 Deloitte employees joined us last week for the company's annual Impact Day. Their impact was felt greatly by the Friends of Refugees community! This team refreshed and improved the landscaping and herb garden at our Hospitality House, and helped to construct the (over 500 lb!) tent structure for our youth program this summer. Additionally, the group of volunteers has made generous donations to help sponsor our summer youth this summer.

Thank you, Deloitte!

As of today, you have helped sponsor 13 youth students! Our goal is to reach at least 42 more students this summer. Will you help us reach that number?

We are so grateful for our two youth leaders, Emily and Happy who serve our youth program together. Both are deeply loved by our New American youth and play an important role in supporting, encouraging, and investing in their lives every day.

“Summer experiences open new worlds and opportunities for our youth. They provide a chance to build community beyond their usual circles and experience different cultures, interweaving Clarkston's youth in a unique way. Summer programming also gives students the opportunity to explore new skills, such as gardening and woodworking, which many find therapeutic and confidence-building. For our middle schoolers especially, field trips offer the chance to see a world beyond Clarkston and broaden their sense of what is possible.” -Happy

Will you help make an impact that lasts a lifetime? Any amount makes a difference!
$592 sponsors 1 youth student
$2960 sponsors 5 youth students
$5920 sponsors 10 youth students

Let’s help make this the best summer yet for our youth!! When donating, write “youth” in the comment section.

https://friendsofrefugees.com/donate/

Registration for the Refugee Recipe Celebration closes at midnight tonight! You won’t want to miss this celebration of joy, community, and global cuisine. Be sure to reserve your free tickets today to join us on June 13th!

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/frioref/event/refugeerecipecelebration2026/

We’re joining Coalition of Refugee Service Agencies on June 20th for World Refugee Day! ❤️💛🩵 This celebration uplifts refugee voices and honors the diversity that strengthens our communities. There will be vendors, performers, and activities for the whole family!

📅 June 20, 2026
📍 Refuge Coffee – Clarkston
⏰ 10 AM – 2 PM

We’d love for you to join us!

RSVP at https://www.eventeny.com/events/world-refugee-day-2026-29767/

This summer, something really special is ahead for our youth, and we’d love for you to be part of it!! For many of the refugee youth we serve, summer can be a time of isolation. Without access to camps, travel, or extracurricular activities, they often miss out on the kinds of experiences that help build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging. That’s where this community steps in.

Through our summer youth program, we’re creating opportunities for unforgettable excursions and hands-on experiences. Things like visiting new places, trying activities for the very first time, and simply getting to be kids together. These moments may seem small, but they carry lasting impact. They help our youth feel seen, valued, and connected.

This is where you come in.

We’re inviting you to sponsor a summer experience for one of our elementary or middle schoolers. Your support helps cover the cost of outings, transportation, meals, and program supplies. This helps in removing barriers so every child can participate fully. More than that, you’re helping create memories they’ll carry with them for years to come. Just imagine them heading back to school in August, excited to share with their classmates how incredible their summer was and all the fun experiences they got to be a part of.

Will you help make an impact that lasts a lifetime? Any amount makes a difference!
$592 sponsors 1 youth student
$2960 sponsors 5 youth students
$5920 sponsors 10 youth students

Let’s help make this the best summer yet for our youth!! When donating, write “youth” in the comment section.

https://friendsofrefugees.com/donate/

We’re just over two weeks away from this year’s Refugee Recipe Celebration! In partnership with the , we will be featuring four chef demonstrations – read above to meet the chefs!

Don’t forget to register for your free tickets before June 6th! Link is in our stories and our bio.

A few weeks ago, hosted their annual photo exhibit! This year, the show featured the art of four incredible Embrace participants who generously shared their journeys to motherhood through photography and narrative storytelling. Over 40 friends attended to honor these artists. It was a wonderful celebration of the artists and the strength found in this community!