More than 20 high school students who came to Arizona as refugees have been paired with local community members in COAR’s Reaching Higher program. The program was created to help refugee high school students prepare for college through a series of workshops and mentorship.

Noon-1:30 pm, Monday, November 3, Dave Holness will present: "The Right to Food in South Africa: Giving Substance to Socioeconomic Rights."

Holness is the campus law clinic director at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. The event takes place at ASU West -- 47th Ave. and Thunderbird.

Noon-1:30 pm, Monday, November 10, Simon Weldehaimont will present: "The Human Rights Situation in Eritrea: The Promise Betrayed."

What: COAR and SC del Sol are hosting a refugee youth soccer clinic

When: 2-4 pm, Sunday, November 16th

Where: ASU West Soccer Fields (47th Avenue & Thunderbird)

According to the Giving USA Foundation 2008 report, Americans gave more than $306 billion to charity last year. Some 74% of these donations ($229 billion) were given by individual donors.

As you know, COAR is in a great growth phase. We’ve expanded to our own office, have two full-time employees and are reaching out to help more refugees in Arizona than ever before. As we expand services, we are also taking a closer look at our funding. Today, COAR receives the majority of funding from grants.

The financial headlines are scary, but the lines at the food pantries are even more telling:  Arizonans, especially minority populations like refugees, are feeling the latest wave of financial unrest. The latest data from the Association of Arizona Food Banks shows a 39% increase in the number of requests for emergency food banks compared to this same time last year. There is also a 20% increase in clients at food banks statewide.

On behalf of the International Rescue Committee and the ASU Museum of Anthropology

You are invited to the closing reception of:

From Harm to Home: Through the Eyes of Refugee Children

Oct. 2, 2008
5 – 7 p.m.
ASU Museum of Anthropology ( http://asuma.asu.edu/VisitUs )

Please find our Fall 2008 COAR Advocate newsletter attached. We hope you'll take a moment to read what we've been busy with, and how we are preparing for another fabulous year of working iwth refugee families in Arizona.

Thank you for your continued support of COAR!

Cheers,

Kelli M. Donley

Executive Director