Church World Service and its partner plaintiffs have filed an amended complaint in their ongoing lawsuit challenging the refugee ban, charging blatant discrimination based on race and nationality. You can read the complaint here: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Meanwhile thousands of people who had been vetted and approved for resettlement before Trump arrived in DC are languishing in camps around the world. At Open Doors for Refugees, we find these numbers appalling. [2/3]
Just who is being allowed into the US during the Trump administration’s near-blanket ban of refugees? 4,496 South Africans and 3 Afghans, that’s who. Those are the official numbers for the first six months of this fiscal year. The majority of the South Africans are white Afrikaners. [1/3]
So if you are looking to learn more about who we are, what we do, the struggles of an org like us and why it matters you can check out the interview above!
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Photo of ODFR's Executive Director, Jason Mack Salt and pepper short hair with neatly kept facial in a light blue button up shirt on a background of blurred green foliage.
The Interfaith Voices Podcast interviewed our Executive Director, Jason Mack back in 10/2025.
Jason Mack does a great job explaining who he is and what the big picture of our org is in just a little over 30 minutes.
Interview : share.transistor.fm/s/dd6831a0
ODFR: opendoorsforrefugees.org
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ODFR is a volunteer-driven organization. Our volunteers fuel our mission to help refugees make a home in the Madison area. We want to celebrate our incredible volunteers for their time, energy, and passion to make this work possible. We couldn’t do it without you! opendoorsforrefugees.org/volunteer/
Join the Literacy Network's "Reading Between the Wines" fundraising event.
Online auction: April 14-28
Live event: April 28, 5:30-7:30pm
Proceeds will support adult students' education, citizenship and employment goals.
Register here: literacynetwork.schoolauction.net/.../homepage...
The picnic has its own home on Facebook. Click “I’m going” and help us get the word out about this terrific event! [2/2]
www.facebook.com/events/13320...
Open Doors for Refugees will hold its annual Community Potluck Picnic on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Elver Park from 12-3 pm. This event is free and open to the public. It’s a great chance to welcome and connect with refugee families who are making their home in Madison. [1/2] odfr.org/picnic
12pm: Gather at Library Mall (715 State St.)
1pm: Mass march toward the Wisconsin State Capitol (State St side)
2pm: Main program outside on the Capitol steps
Link to sign up and full info:
www.mobilize.us/commoncause/...
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May Day Flyer with two immigrant works showing solidarity on a red and light brown background. with the logo for VOCES de la Frontera in the lower right corner and a qr code in the bottom left to the full details of the event.
Friday, May 1st, is a Day Without Immigrants, a day of solidarity, truth, and power.
Join us in Madison, Wisconsin for a day of No Work, No School, No Shopping.
This event is happening, rain or shine, and includes a rally and a mass march.
Schdule and full details/sign up in reply
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We are looking for laptops in good condition that already have Windows 11 or are able to be upgraded to it.
Mac laptops also accepted.
Email alex@odfr.org to schedule a donation pickup or dropoff.
Thank you!
The politically charged ICE arrest of a long-time community leader in Milwaukee has made national headlines and stirred outrage. Open Doors for Refugees will watch this case carefully and seek ways to lend Mr. Sarsour our support. www.wpr.org/news/preside...
Donations go to the Immigrant Defense Fund, the state wide resource that ensures individuals and families facing immigration-related challenges are not navigating it alone.
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CommUnity Yoga flyer with the information about the gentle flow donation based yoga followed by refreshments and community! The flyer's info is on top of an image of two yoga mats (top red and bottom blue) standing upright. In the bottom left is a qr code to the website with more info and links to rsvp - https://www.communityyogahub.com/event-details-registration/community-yoga-presents-gentle-flow-for-centro and in the bottom right is the Centro Hispano logo which is 8 yellow and 8 maroon sticks arranged in a spiral pattern.
Once again our friends at CommUnity Yoga and Centro Hispano are hosting gentle flow dotation based yoga followed by refreshments and community.
Where: Christ Presbyterian Church (Gorham St)
Time: 10am - 12pm on 4/18
RSVP at the QR code or link below
www.communityyogahub.com/event-detail...
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Join Peace Corps Community for Refugees for their monthly Conversations to Support Refugees!
This monthly call is a great way to network, share resources and information in an informal online setting.
The next meeting will will be on Thursday April 9th at 8pm EST.
pcc4refugees.org/monthly-info...
On Friday, April 24th, Mercy Dental Missions is hosting a FREE dental clinic to those in need.
Their clinic is located on 1709 Aberg Ave, Suite A, Madison, WI.
Doors open at 7:30am and patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please join in at the "Benefit Concert for Climate and Immigrant Justice" hosted by 350 Wisconsin and Voces de la Frontera on April 9th from 6:30-8:30pm.
Follow the link for more information:
wibailoutpeople.org/2026/03/31/m...
Looking forward to seeing you there!
To this end, UNA is hosting a culinary event on the 18th centered on Iranian food and culture. Get your ticket now! A lower-cost/student rate is available. [2/2]
Do you love good food and learning about other cultures? Then mark your calendar for April 18th. Like Open Doors for Refugees, the United Nations Association of Dane County has long advocated for protecting the world’s refugee populations and learning about diverse cultures. [1/2]
Some good news last week with a ruling that prevents the government from weaponizing its own delays and gives refugees waiting through them some reprieve.
Learn more at the International Refugee Assistance Project, who assisted in getting us here: refugeerights.org/news-resourc...
Wisconsin Care Collective is hosting a free medical, dental and vision clinic at the Verona Area High School on August 1st and 2nd! Services such as dental x-rays, cleanings and extractions, as well as comprehensive eye exams, general health exams and women's health screenings will be provided.
No Kings!
The African Center for Community Development is offering free, one-on-one legal sessions for parents who want to complete two important family-planning documents. This service is offered on Tuesdays from now till the end of April. You can register for an appointment by scanning the QR code here:
Confirmed for the Open Doors June 21st potluck: The Madison Children's Museum!
madisonchildrensmuseum.org/programs-and...
The MCM Roadshow offers educational programming and family friendly activities. We're excited to have them back.
Another "No Kings" protest will be taking place in Madison.
During times of public demonstration, we are reminded how important dignity and peaceful expression are.
Where: Brittingham Park
Time: 12:30pm march to capitol, rally 2-4pm
Find more info here: www.mobilize.us/nokings/even...
Prior experience is always a plus, but these businesses are also looking to fill entry-level jobs. This will be a welcoming space for people of all backgrounds. [2/2]
Heads up, jobseekers: a dozen electrical contractors will be looking for new hires at an Electrician Job Fair at the Alliant Energy Center on March 26th, from 2 to 7 p.m. Job opportunities will include both field and office positions. [1/2]
ibew159.org
"All bikes are donated by people like you.We accept bike donations year-round. Bikes can be dropped off at the bike center at 354 Coyier Lane in Madison, WI."
Learn more at bikesforkidswi.org
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"Each year, we provide bikes to other nonprofits, tribes, and schools through our Bike Distribution Partner Network.
In 2026, we provided 80 bikes to a refugee services nonprofit in West Bend, WI called The Welcome Network. These bikes are Cycles of Opportunity."
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