According to the United Nations, refugees are those who are forced to flee their country for fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion. Refugees given the chance to begin a new life in the United States are typically grateful and strive to make the most of the opportunity. Resettlement and the process of rebuilding a new life in an unfamiliar place, however, can be a daunting task. Since1975, over 2.5 million refugees have courageously endeavored to face the challenges of resettlement in the US. Refugees can make this transition more successfully if they are supported by a community that values cultural exchange and actively supports their efforts to adjust. COAR seeks to cultivate this type of community and connect refugees to it.

COAR’s philosophy is built upon the notion of social capital; its central thesis is that relationships matter. COAR’s logo is a visual representation of this belief. The symbol is intended to represent the creative and productive links between volunteers, community partners and refugees that COAR seeks to build and harness. To the extent that supportive relationships, and networks of such relationships, are a valuable resource, they constitute a type of capital.

Displaced from their familiar, local communities, refugees lose their stock of social capital and start from an almost zero balance upon being resettled. Without a thorough understanding of institutions or extensive social networks, many refugees not only have difficulty rebuilding their lives but have few opportunities to contribute to and benefit from their new communities. COAR’s strategy for sustainable change aims at generating and mobilizing social capital to benefit and empower both refugees and the communities in which they are resettled.

One of the ways COAR’s programs enrich local communities is by raising awareness of refugee issues and linking them to imminent political and human rights concerns that are relevant to everyone. COAR also serves as an avenue through which community members can become engaged in serving and advocating for refugees on a local and global level. Furthermore, COAR connects communities to the wealth of experiences, knowledge and insights that refugees bring. Simultaneously, refugees benefit from the support of a more culturally and politically aware community and are better poised to begin replenishing their stock of social capital.