News posts about ODFR and our interactions with the local community. Also includes content about past ODFR events.
Aziz and his family arrived in Madison from Afghanistan in 2015. In 2021, thanks to his proficiency in English, Dari, and Pashto, he was chosen to work as an interpreter at Fort McCoy’s receiving center for Afghans who were fleeing due to the U.S. military’s sudden departure. Aziz was central to the movement of 12,600 […]
After a COVID year of running virtually, over 360 runners, joggers and walkers, accompanied by toddlers, dogs and cheering fans, turned out for a day of unusual weather and a successful fundraising event in Vilas Park, Madison. For the sixth consecutive year, Freeze for Food Walk/Run sponsors and the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Madison […]
This Sunday, we had families join us to go bird watching at Tenney Park! The weather was absolutely beautiful with an afternoon sun and clear skies. We first walked along the river where we saw Mallards and Canadian Geese. Some Mallards even came up onto the bank to greet us. The kids loved it and […]
This is a welcome sight! As part of their 2021 Giving Tree Program, members of the Lodi United Methodist Church recently sent us 25 $25 cards gift cards from Walmart, Target, and Woodman’s. These will all go directly to refugees. As part of our Home Supply program, in addition to a set of cleaning and paper […]
We’re 50!!! Yesterday Open Doors for Refugees, with the help of several folks from Jewish Social Services, set up our 50th apartment for an arriving family. Well, this one’s a house actually (a very rare occurrence for us), and it’s for a family of eight – two parents and their six children. Perhaps it’s not […]
Refugee families and Madison community members gathered in Olin Park on a sunny June afternoon for Open Doors for Refugees’ annual picnic. The celebration on June 26 was the first since 2019 — the event was paused for the past two summers due to the pandemic. Dozens of attendees enjoyed a potluck in the Olin […]
Open Doors for Refugees and Jewish Social Services observed World Refugee Day on June 20th by holding a panel discussion with several representatives of the Madison refugee community to discuss their hopes, challenges, and needs. The theme this year, set by the United Nations: Everyone has a right to seek safety, no matter who they […]
Build Your Future: Skill Building Funding Opportunity Madison-area refugees are able to apply for funds and support for education and career development as part of our Skill Development Initiative. Those interested in furthering their English language proficiency, pursuing higher education, developing vocational skills, or starting or growing a business are eligible to apply in 2022 for […]
Please, we need dressers, lamps and more… As one of our flagship programs, Open Doors furnishes apartments for newly arriving refugees. New families get here to find they have a fully furnished and stocked apartment, with all the furniture, bath, and kitchen supplies they need, plus food in the fridge and flowers on the table. […]
In January, seven female Open Doors volunteers were partnered up with seven refugee women and given each other’s contact information. The goal was to try to walk once a week (at a safe distance, masked up, wearing warm enough clothes, not meeting if someone was not feeling well) through March. While there have been a […]
