Hanan RRG is not an official refugee resettlement agency receiving government support, but an entirely volunteer organization using 100% of donations for direct refugee services. Of the estimated 850 Afghans settling permanently in Wisconsin in 2021 and 2022, the majority are settling in Milwaukee, in large part because of the strong Muslim community. Hanan RRG helps newly arrived refugees have enough culturally appropriate food, warm clothing for the Wisconsin winter, adequate furnished housing, schooling for children, access to medical care and special services, and opportunities/tutoring to learn English.
UCN’s Social Justice Committee learned about Hanan RRG Milwaukee Chapter through SJC member Brian Monroe, who is also UCN’s representative with the Interfaith Conference of Greater Milwaukee. “We are always looking for volunteers to assist,” the group states on its Facebook page, at facebook.com/Hananrrg. A volunteer checklist is available on the website: https://hananrrg.org and directly at hanan.mob/MKE.
Hanan RRG and two other chapters in the US have a history of assisting Syrian and Palestinian refugees.