ARKANSAS, USA — Canopy NWA hosted their State of Canopy address Friday to discuss their past year and concerns for the future.
The non-profit's vision is to create a community where refugees are welcome and equipped with all the tools to build new lives in Northwest Arkansas.
During their meeting, Senior Director of Economic & Community Development Khalid Ahmadzai said the group had resettled 900 individuals. He explained that from a grassroots effort of four staff members, they now have offices in Fayetteville, Springdale, and Siloam Springs with 40 staff members speaking over 20 different languages.
Ahmadzai said the Syrian refugee crisis sparked the organization. He adds that there are now 43 million refugees worldwide.
"There was a little boy, Alan Kurdi, who was washed on the shores of Turkey, and a group of concerned citizens in Northwest Arkansas, they decided to do something about the refugee resettlement," Ahmadzai said.
Canopy's success
Joanna Krause, executive director of Canopy NWA, said they've made the commitment to every refugee family to help them over five years as they build careers, navigate post-high school graduation, and apply for U.S. citizenship. Canopy NWA has helped 45 refugees receive their citizenship and 14 high school seniors are on track to graduate this school year. Ahmadzai adds that 100% of Canopy's students have graduated.
"Becoming a refugee is not who you are. It's something devastating that happens to you," Krause said. "Canopy has resettled refugees with former careers as pilots, engineers, attorneys, and physicians. Canopy has also resettled people who, based on their situation, had no access to formal education and did not have the opportunity to pursue a career ... Therefore, refugees coming through Canopy are arriving in Northwest Arkansas with a very vast array of skills."
Krause said Canopy works with employers to refer qualified candidates for any vacancies, and they'll continue to offer that service to local, large, and small employers. Since 2019, Canopy has helped refugees start businesses through their Entrepreneurship Program. Ahmadzai adds that they've helped 10 homebound women sell their baked goods through their Inspired Hands program.
Concerns over new leadership
During the meeting, Krause shared concerns about the future as President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to start the largest deportation effort in American history and had previously made cuts to refugee admissions.
"I need to reiterate to everyone watching today that Canopy is not going anywhere," Krause said. "We will be here to serve our community and refugee families. We're going to be here for you. But, I also need to be honest with you that I am anticipating tough times ahead due to the campaign promises of President-elect Trump."
They've been here before. They started the organization just before Trump's previous term when they said he enacted "executive orders that paused and dismantled the national refugee resettlement program."
According to the executive director, the U.S. passed a milestone this year of 100,000 refugees welcomed. She mentioned a net fiscal impact study report that analyzed the economic impact over 15 years, saying refugees contributed $1 billion to the economy, mostly at the state level.
"This strict limiting of Refugee Resettlement during Trump's first term forced over 100 local resettlement agencies to close, but Canopy stayed open, even though we were brand new," Krause said. "That was due to the dedication and commitment of our local community and support from our local community, and we will be calling on you again to get us through this next period."
Krause is worried Trump's Administration may prolong the process of reuniting families.
"Canopy still has two families who were assigned to come to Canopy in 2016 [and] who still have not arrived. I'm worried about them, and I'm worried about what may also happen to other refugees who are currently here," she said. "They may not be U.S. citizens but still have family members awaiting travel who are in refugee camps. I'm concerned that it could be many more months, or even years before they're reunited here in Northwest Arkansas."
Krause said refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan have received humanitarian parole, which must be renewed. They're also concerned that might not happen.
Ahmadzai explained that from the day someone leaves their country and becomes a refugee, it takes an average of 17 years before they make it through the refugee program. Two to three years of that is spent going through security clearance, completing a cultural orientation for preparedness, and then once in the U.S., refugees have 180 days to become self-sufficient.
"We're going to be following the policy changes that come in January, in the years ahead, we'll communicate to our clients what these changes mean for them, and communicate to our broader community about what it will mean for Canopy," Krause said.
Krause said 60% of Canopy is federally funded and they expect cuts in the new administration. She invited the public to help in the form of volunteering or donating.
How to help
Volunteers can help by being part of a "Circle of Welcome." The six to 10 individuals would train in advance as they become the "first friends to a new American." They would help furnish apartments for the individual/family, pick them up at the airport, and help the refugees integrate into the community.
Volunteers can also help as technical assistants. There are 25 businesses in Northwest Arkansas from their immigrant and refugee community. The volunteers could help with bookkeeping, taxes, or marketing the business.
Aside from monetary donations, Canopy also accepts other donations. They take gently used furniture (excluding mattresses) and household items for their welcome kits to prepare a refugee's future home.
For more information or to get involved, visit Canopy NWA's website.
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