Mission

COAR supports resettled refugees in their efforts to rebuild positive, self-sufficient lives. As a student club at Arizona State University, we utilize youth leadership and community volunteerism to make positive impacts in the lives of refugee individuals.

Refugees

Refugees are those forced to flee their home countries in fear of the loss of their lives or liberty based on their race, religion, nationality, social group, or political opinion.

Up to 70,000 refugees are invited by the United States government every year to start a new life in this country. Join us as we support refugees from all over the world as they face this daunting task.

History

Inspired by her own experience as a refugee from Cambodia, Sambo Dul founded COAR (then Refugee Resettlement Volunteers) in 2002 as a student organization at Arizona State University. In her sophomore year at ASU, Sambo was approached by a representative from Catholic Social Services’ Resettlement Program to assist a local refugee family with their resettlement needs. This experience revealed that the obstacles once faced by Sambo and her family continue to challenge those on similar journeys today. Sambo however saw beyond the urgent need, to the potential for community involvement in assisting refugees and began recruiting other students and community members to get involved.