Jamie’s journey of helping others began in Indonesia, where she worked in the aftermath of a devastating tsunami. Her passion for service eventually brought her to find something in Memphis. She started volunteering with Catholic Charities of West Tennessee. Initially, Jamie helped with English classes and tutoring, but her desire to do more led her to work alongside the organization’s caseworkers. During this time, she was asked to provide home-based ESL tutoring for Asha, a survivor of the Somali Civil War, whose incredible resilience would go on to inspire a much larger mission.
Asha’s story is one of immense courage. While fleeing Somalia with her two nieces and 7-year-old brother, the military vehicle they were traveling in overturned, crushing her legs. She lay trapped for hours before others in the vehicle managed to lift it off her, but with no access to medical care, Asha’s legs were severely damaged. Despite her injuries, she managed to crawl to safety, carrying her nieces on her back and chest. After this harrowing escape, they spent ten years in a refugee camp before arriving in Memphis.
When Asha and her family arrived in the U.S., they were placed in a barely livable apartment. Without basic English skills or the ability to drive, their daily lives were a struggle. Jamie quickly saw that teaching English wasn’t enough. The government’s 90-day resettlement program, meant to help refugees acclimate, was insufficient. Refugees often lacked the support needed to navigate legal paperwork, healthcare, employment, and housing, leaving many vulnerable to homelessness and further hardships.
Motivated by Asha’s story and the challenges faced by refugees like her, Jamie founded Asha’s Refuge. Her organization went beyond language instruction to address the critical gaps in the refugee resettlement process. Partnering with legal groups like the Community Legal Center, Asha’s Refuge provided refugees with guidance through complex legal processes, ensuring they could secure housing, access healthcare, and understand their rights. The organization also advocated for interpreter services, with many former clients returning to volunteer as interpreters themselves.
Through blogging, word of mouth, and partnerships with local resettlement agencies, Asha’s Refuge extended its support far beyond the standard 90-day window. The organization focused on helping refugees gain essential life skills, including securing identification cards, setting up bank accounts, and providing transportation services, ensuring a pathway to self-sufficiency.
In the U.S., Congress sets national refugee intake numbers, but local cities determine their capacity to support newcomers. Asha’s Refuge, a grassroot community organization, operates on about $300,000 per year, funded by individual donors, groups, and businesses. These resources allow the organization to continue its vital work, offering comprehensive support to refugees who have already endured so much.
However, securing sufficient funding remains a constant challenge. Recognizing the critical role Asha’s Refuge plays in the resettlement process, the organization is actively seeking grants, partners, and professionals to expand its programs and deepen its impact. Through their continued efforts, Asha’s Refuge is transforming the lives of refugees, helping them not just survive, but thrive in their new home.
For more information, visit: https://ashasrefuge.org/
To support their mission, donate here: https://ashasrefuge.kindful.com/