When people think of refugees, images of refugee camps in distant European, African, or Middle Eastern countries usually come to mind. However, there are thousands of refugees living among us attempting to adjust to a foreign land, language, people, and culture. For most refugees, immigrating to the United States and being placed in safe housing isn’t the end of their concerns, but a wave of entirely new concerns. Imagine the heartache of fleeing from your beloved, yet war-stricken, childhood home; leaving people, places, languages, and customs you had grown up with your entire life only to resettle among strangers, speaking a strange language, in a strange place. This is a frightening and confusing experiences for all refugees, but particularly the children who are placed here.

Adjusting to American culture will take time, but helping refugees who settle here feel welcome is a great first step. For this reason, we are excited to announce our recent partnership with Utah’s International Rescue Committee and Catholic Community Services, the two largest refugee placement organizations in the state. Together we are committed to provide each child being relocated here a fleece blanket of their choice accompanied with a personalized note of encouragement and welcome upon their arrival. As they begin their new journey in Utah, their bright-colored blankets will be a comfort they can rely on amidst a future filled with change and uncertainty.

Our first international shipment may have left for Armenia, but our work is not done. We will need 1500 blankets by the end of the year. Please participate and share this great opportunity with family, friends, and acquaintances in Utah. If you would like to participate but live out-of-state, we’d love to help you find your local IRC or CCS chapter to donate to.

Feel free to contact us with any questions or to find a donation pick-up/drop-off location near you.

 Hearts Tied Together representative (Julie) with representatives from International Rescue Committee (Cate and Jesse)

 Hearts Tied Together representative (Julie) with Catholic Community Services representatives (Janet and Brad)