2026
June 21, 2026: Open Doors for Refugees potluck Channel 15 news clip: WMTV15news
June 21, 2026: “Open Doors hosts picnic for refugees” Channel 27: WKOW27news
June 21, 2026: Madison celebrates new refugees. Channel 3000: Channel3000
June 21, 2026: Community Potluck Celebration. BRAVA Magazine: BRAVA
June 21, 2026: Open Doors for Refugees. UMOJA Magazine: UMOJA
2025
December 23, 2025: Interfaith Voices Podcast Episode 22 with Jason Mack: Interfaith Voces
December 12, 2025: Interfaith vigil in Madison honors National Guardsmen shot in D.C: WKOW.COM
December 1, 2025: Afghan refugee living in Madison responds to Trump’s asylum decision, visa freeze on Afghans: WKOW 27 News clip
November 30, 2025: A Year in the Life: Open Doors for Refugees: wortfm.org
August 12, 2025: Syrian twin sisters reflect on refugee journey to Middleton: captimes.com
April 3, 2025: National refugee processing and federal funding cuts leave Madison’s refugee resettlement programs in lurch: The Daily Cardinal
February 23, 2025: 44th Annual Freeze for Food Refugee Support: WORTFM.ORG
January 24, 2025: Madison refugee resettlement groups vow to continue work despite Trump order: WKOW.COM
2024
October 28, 2024: Efrat Livny, ODFR Co-Founder is recognized in the BRAVA magazine: BRAVA
June 7, 2021: A video showing JSS and ODFR hosting a picnic for former refugees: Local groups celebrate World Refugee Day
June 23, 2024: An interview with Cecilia Gillhouse: Moving Forward with Open Doors for Refugees
February 29, 2024: Freeze for Food listed as an event to do in Madison in March: 22 things to do in Madison this March
2023
December 7, 2023: Madeline Uraneck is interviewed about the lack of recent naturalization ceremonies in Madison: A reader asks: Why aren’t naturalization ceremonies held in Madison?
July 9, 2023: Coverage of our yearly picnic: Creating a community for refugees in Madison
July 7, 2023: A heads up for our yearly picnic: Open Doors For Refugees to host 9th annual picnic at Olin Park on Sunday
March 4, 2023: Channel 15 WMTV’s coverage of the 2023 ‘Freeze for Food’ fundraiser race: Madisonians raise money for refugees, immigrants facing food insecurity
March 1, 2023: Channel 3000’s video coverage of the 2023 ‘Freeze for Food’ fundraiser race: In the 608: ‘Freeze for Food’ to help local refugees
February 2, 2023: The Daily Cardinal announces the 2023 ‘Freeze for Food’ fundraiser race: Freeze for Food race returns, raises funds for Madison area refugees
2022
December 11, 2022: Channel 27 WKOW’s coverage of Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church chili cook-off fundraiser for Open Doors for Refugees: ‘That’s a weird thing to find is that it’s all very simple’: Saint Luke’s raises money for Open Doors for Refugees
July 20, 2022: Channel 3000’s coverage of World Refugee Day: ‘I’ve made Madison my home’: Refugees share achievements, challenges on World Refugee Day
June 27, 2022: Video of Channel 3000’s coverage of the Open Doors annual picnic
June 26, 2022: Channel 15 WMTV’s coverage of the Open Doors annual picnic: Community members greet refugee families at Olin Park picnic celebration
June 26, 2022: Channel 27 WKOW’s coverage of the Open Doors annual picnic: ‘It’s a beautiful event’: Local organization welcomes refugees to Madison at picnic
March 5, 2022: Hundreds of runners raise funds for ODFR: Freeze for Food 5K benefits Open Doors for Refugees
January 4, 2022: Torn Apart: Efforts by the Catholic Multicultural Center to help refugees in Madison: Local efforts to help Afghan refugees are marked by both tears and triumph
2021
September 8, 2021: Interviews with Refugees in Madison regarding the situation in Afghanistan: ‘Everyone is very concerned’; Settled refugees talk Afghanistan, life in Wisconsin
August 19, 2021: Expecting refugees from the recent Afghanistan crisis: Explainer: How Madison may receive Afghan refugee families
March 7, 2021: Freeze for Food’s adaptability during Covid: ‘Freeze for Food’ Goes on With Individual Runs
January 23, 2021: Interviews about the recent executive order: Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to The United States
2019
September 26, 2019: A blog post from Tracey Gemmell about the New Citizenship Ceremony
September 23, 2019: Daily Cardinal article about New American Citizens at a Ceremony
June 17, 2019: CapTimes article about the Madison Refugee Union
March 7, 2019: Wiscontext article of a Tibetan Refugee Family Settling in Madison
March 2, 2019: NBC 15 article and video of Freeze for Food 5K
2018
June 25, 2018: Channel 3000 video coverage of the Third Annual Welcoming Picnic
June 25, 2018: The Cap Times coverage of the Third Annual Welcoming Picnic
May 10, 2018: The Cap Times cover of Volunteers Transforming an Apartment into a Home
February 8, 2018: The Cap Times coverage of Resettlement Agencies working with Madison Landlords
2017
September 19, 2017: WQOW Channel 27 News coverage of the Welcoming Week Naturalization Ceremony
September 19, 2017: Madison State Journal Photographs of the Welcoming Week Naturalization Ceremony
May 21, 2017: Channel 15 coverage of the Community Celebration Picnic. Hundreds gathered in the Olin Park Pavilion to share friendship, incredible food, live performances and lively conversations.
April 26, 2017: Film Screening Shines Light on Refugee Issues
April 26, 2017: WORT interview about ODFR and Refugee Resettlement in Madison
March 4, 2017: Channel 27 coverage of Freeze for Food raising money for refugees
February 10th, 2017: The Cap Times – Paul Fanlund: Combating Despair in Trump’s America
(Article Discussing Open Doors for Refugees as a way people are creating change)
February 4th, 2017: The Cap Times – Ronnie Hess: Strong support here for refugees counters Donald Trump stance (Editorial by Ronnie Hess, a member of Open Doors)
January 31st, 2017: The Cap Times – Despite Trump Immigration Ban, Madison Refugee Organizations Vow to Carry on Work (Statements from Organization and Erica Bouska)
January 25th, 2017: WKOW – Trump’s Refugee Plan to Impact Madison (Interview with Ken Baun and Efrat Livny)
January 5th, 2017: Wisconsin State Journal – Transplant Coordinator Sees Positive Changes in Career and Philanthropic Work (Interview with Erica Bouska)
2016
December 5th, 2016: Brava Magazine – On a Whim (Interview with Efrat Livny)
November 16th, 2016: Capital Times – Immigrant Ingenuity: Five Madison Immigrants Preserve in Building Businesses (Highlight of Efrat Livny’s business)
August 7th, 2016: Wisconsin State Journal – Around Town: Opening the door for refugees in Madison (Community Picnic)
August 5th, 2016: WORT FM – Open Doors for Refugees Supports Resettlement Efforts in Madison (Radio Interview with Ken Baun)
July 28th, 2016: Isthmus – Opening the Door (Lecture by Dr. Tarif Bakdash)