refugeevolunteers.org according to the united nations, refugees are those forced to flee their country for fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, social group or political opinion. refugees given the chance to start a new life in the us are invariably grateful and strive to make the most of the opportunity. resettlement, however, can be a daunting task. can you imagine being uprooted to a completely unfamiliar place? since 1975, over 2.5 million refugees have courageously undertaken this endeavor in our country. unfortunately, refugees do not always receive the assistance they need to effectively rebuild their lives. but coar has discovered an untapped resource - the very communities in which refugees are resettled. refugees transition better if they are supported by a community that values cultural exchange, reinforces their efforts to adjust, and helps build bridges between their past, present and future. through our programs, coar is cultivating this type of community and connecting refugees to it.