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Every Campus a Refuge (ECAR), an organization focused on calling every college and university to steward resources and partnerships in support of refugee resettlement and newcomers, will hold its annual Gathering at Russell Sage College’s Troy campus September 20 and 21.
Now in its third year, the ECAR Gathering will bring together more than 130 individuals from across the United States, who are invested in transforming higher education communities into places of welcome and deep belonging. Attendees will reflect a wide range of diverse backgrounds, including members of refugee and immigrant communities, representatives from higher education institutions and organizations such as ECAR Chapters and Resettlement Campuses, resettlement agencies, immigrant support networks, community organizations, and socially-conscious businesses. Over the course of two days, participants will engage in collaborative learning, creative dialogue, and shared storytelling.
In 2021, Russell Sage College was home to the first ECAR chapter in New York. The Women’s Institute at Russell Sage College and the Office of Service Learning partner on the initiative, with the help of student, faculty, and staff volunteers.
This year’s Gathering will offer a series of workshops, keynote speakers, and interactive activities co-designed by key players in both refugee support and higher education. The aim is to spark dialogue that strengthens communities, mobilizes colleges and universities to become Resettlement Campuses, and inspires a fresh perspective on the role of higher education in supporting refugee resettlement and integration efforts.
On September 19, a pre-Gathering event titled “Welcome Corps on the Road: Welcoming Refugees in New York State” will be held at Bush Memorial Center on Russell Sage College’s Troy campus, organized by Welcome Corps on Campus. This event will focus on refugee resettlement efforts specific to New York state and examine the role of higher education institutions in advancing these efforts.
The 2024 ECAR Gathering at Russell Sage is a result of a collaborative initiative by the Russell Sage ECAR Chapter and the dedicated team at ECAR’s nonprofit. ECAR says it is grateful to its sponsors for ensuring the success of this event and recognize the significant contributions of Russell Sage College, acknowledged at the “Keynote Level”; the endowed Toros and Selma Gochigian Endowed Memorial Fund, Marilyn (RSC’69) and Richard Fowler, World Education Services (WES), and The Community Foundation For the Greater Capital Region, at the “Festival Level”; and the Community Sponsorship Hub (CSH) for their crucial support at the “Do-It-Together” levels. The organization would also like to convey appreciation to its valued partners for their invaluable financial and time commitments.
About Every Campus A Refuge (ECAR): In response to Pope Francis’ call on every European parish to host one refugee family, ECAR was founded at Guilford College by Dr. Diya Abdo in September of 2015 and incorporated into a nonprofit in 2017. ECAR calls on every college and university to steward resources and partnerships in support of refugee resettlement and newcomers as they begin their lives in their new homes. Since ECAR’s inception, Chapters have supported the resettlement of over 350 new arrivals on college campuses across the United States.
ECAR at Russell Sage College: The ECAR chapter at Russell Sage College was the first chapter in New York. RSC’s ECAR has been providing temporary housing and support for refugees since 2021. RSC’s ECAR chapter works closely with the U.S. Committee for Refugees & Immigrants (USCRI) Albany office and neighboring ECAR chapter, Hudson Valley Community College.
About Welcome Corps and Welcome Corps on Campus: The Welcome Corps and Welcome Corps on Campus are U.S. Department of State programs enabling private sponsor groups in American communities and on U.S. campuses to welcome refugees and refugee students through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Welcome Corps on the Road is a part of the Welcome Corps Roadshow – a series of visits across the country to showcase the power of communities in welcoming refugees.
About World Education Services (WES): WES is a nonprofit social enterprise that supports the educational, economic, and social inclusion of immigrants, refugees, and international students. For nearly 50 years, WES has set the standard for international academic credential evaluation, supporting millions of people as they seek to achieve their academic and professional goals in the U.S. Through decades of experience in the field, WES has developed a wide range of tools to pursue social impact at scale – from evaluating academic credentials to shaping policy, designing programs, and providing philanthropic funding.
About Community Sponsorship Hub (CSH): Community Sponsorship Hub (CSH) makes it easier for communities to make a difference in the lives of refugees and other displaced people. They do this by generating bold policies that empower Americans to sponsor and by connecting national and local community partners with the knowledge and financial resources they need to set up newcomers for success. Most recently, CSH leads the consortia implementing the Welcome Corps and the Welcome Corps on Campus, two groundbreaking U.S. Department of State programs making it possible for everyday Americans and campus communities to welcome refugees arriving through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). CSH is the first organization in the United States solely dedicated to growing community sponsorship. Founded in 2021, CSH is changing the way resettlement occurs in the United States. They quickly mobilized with partners to build the Sponsor Circle Program for Afghans, which allowed American sponsors to welcome Afghan allies during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. The program has since expanded to support communities welcoming Ukrainian, Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan and Venezuelan newcomers seeking safety in the United States.