From time to time, we are asked what are our biggest needs.  While Asha’s Refuge is so blessed in many ways to have shared building space for our American Life and Language classes, shared organizational office space, so many in kind tangible donations that help provide for refugee immediate needs, wonderful partnership resources we can tap into in our community and many big hearted willing volunteers that serve in the various needed areas we have, there are still many needs we are trying to meet in order that we push towards our greater vision of offering A Place of Hope for the disadvantaged refugees we serve.  

Here is a list of our  5 MOST PRESSING NEEDS with our best estimate on the costs on some of them. 

1. Operational Financial Support: $35,000 per year – We have a need to bring on our Executive Director full time.  This must happen in order for us to meet the day to day needs of the organization and move towards our greater vision.

2. 15 Passenger Mini-bus: (with middle isle and handicap accessibility); $22,000; This will help to provide transportation for refugee clients to come and go to: American Life and Language Classes, the doctor, the dentist, the grocery store, job skill training, educational field trips, computer skills training, etc.

3. Building Space: Asha’s Refuge has a need for our own building space that would allow us to have our office, American Life and Language classrooms and large group needs all in one place. This space could be donated, but we would need the flexibility to decorate the rooms classroom style posting educational and language learning material on walls. We need to be free to use the space as our own so that incoming clients, volunteers and supporters recognize our location. Ideally, the building would eventually be located on about 20 acres of land so that we have room to grow.

4. Donation Center: Approx. 20’ x 30’ of shelved space to organize and collect immediate donation needs: toiletries, soaps, cleaning products, kitchen utensils, blankets and bedding, long skirts, warm socks, coats, baby needs, school uniforms and food (not furniture, mattresses or large amounts of clothing). Volunteers are also needed to help collect, sort and distribute donations; Space could be donated.  

5. Computer Lab: for Refugees to learn basic computer skills, apply for jobs, complete homework assignments and do research; 6 computers, 3 long tables, 6 chairs, teachers desk and computer, projector, software, 2 printers; paper supply, printing ink; $12,000

Your monthly financial support is what will help us to move closer and closer to meeting the goals we have that will impact not only our local refugee community but also our city as a whole. Thank you for your support. We could not do it without you.  Every minute of your volunteerism and every penny you donate is valuable to us and it very much counts.