About

PDX Friends of Refugees was established in 2010 in response to the growing Iraqi refugee community in the Portland area. Since that time, we have seen other influxes from places such as Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

We are not a resettlement agency. While we sometimes partner with local resettlement agenices to meet specific needs, resettlement agencies contract with the U.S. government to provide essential, but immediate, needs to refugees upon arrival. We are a grass-roots organization that partners with local churches, organizations, and individuals to help refugees successfully rebuild their lives here. Relationship is one of our core values and we understand the value of having a trusted friend to help navigate life in a completely new environment.

Each family has different, changing needs; from things like getting their kids registered in school to building businesses, from learning English to establishing their credentials. PDX Friends of Refugees walks through life with our new friends to help them not just survive, but thrive.

One last thing about refugees, merely rendering aid can be exhausting. Relationship is mutual, rewarding and life-giving. We have learned so much from our refugee friends and found them to consistently be the most generous, hospitable people we have met. It’s not always clear who’s welcoming whom but one thing is clear, we’re all better for the experience.