Peace Corps Community for Refugees

The Peace Corps Community for Refugees would like to extend our support, thoughts, and prayers to our partner HIAS during this difficult time of mourning the tragic event at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, PA.  Although HIAS was mentioned in a hateful tweet, PCC4Refugees recognizes the valuable contributions of its work and advocacy for refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants.

We reaffirm our partnership with HIAS and wish them well to boldly continue their commitment to their mission of serving refugees and displaced people throughout the world. 

We strongly urge you to take a few minutes this week to write a short (150-word) letter to your local newspaper expressing your opposition to President Trump's directive slashing the maximum number of refugees admitted to the U.S. to 30,000 during the next fiscal year beginning September 30.

This move will reduce the maximum allowable limit of refugees to its lowest levels in four decades, hurt the U.S. economically and put thousands of lives of refugee families at serious risk.  

Read the full article and talking points on this issue that might be helpful.

The Peace Corps Community for Refugees hosted a special event on October 9 in support of refugees and immigrants with the DC Forum at the New York University, Washington, D.C. Auditorium. Watch a recording of the live event here:

Mandy Manning, National Teacher of the Year, will be our keynote speaker.  A Peace Corps Volunteer in Armenia and a veteran high school teacher in Spokane, WA,  Mandy has become one of the nation's leading advocates in support of immigrant and refugee students in our public schools. Refugee and immigrant residents also will share their stories, and leaders from faith-based groups and other placement agencies will discuss successful ways all of us can mobilize local support for immigrants and refugees.

How You Can Help Spread RPCV’s Positive Message About Refugee and Immigrant Students

By Patricia Nyhan

We are unequivocally supporting 2018 National Teacher of the Year Mandy Manning, an RPCV from Armenia who teaches refugee and immigrant students in Spokane, WA. 

Manning has been heavily featured in news stories across America, and her meeting with President Trump was covered by most of the major U.S. news outlets. Her Peace Corps background is mentioned in most of the coverage. You can help boost Manning’s positive message about refugee students in the following ways:

• Consider sending a short letter to the editor of your local paper about Manning. If the paper has failed to cover her, ask why they are not running this important story.
• Write a letter to the editor in response to a news story about an outstanding local refugee student who is  graduating from high school.
• If you notice that Manning plans to make an appearance near you, help with turnout.
• Invite Manning to speak to an organization in your local area such as the Rotary Club, which partners with the National Peace Corps Association.

Please be aware that in many cases, organizations that invite her to speak will need to agree to help cover her expenses. Submit your scheduling request to CCSSO, the nonprofit that administers the National Teacher of the Year, using a request form on their website: https://fs17.formsite.com/ccssowebmaster/form86/index.html

Get to know RPCV-Armenia Mandy Manning in this  CBS interview on YouTube!