Image & Article Source: Worldwide Displacement – Arrive Ministries
At least 82.4 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes by the end of 2020 because of persecution, conflict, and violence. Among them are nearly 26.4 million refugees, around half of whom are under the age of 18.
– Syria 6.8 million
– Venezuela 4.9 million
– Afghanistan 2.8 million – South Sudan 2.2 million
The preferred solution for most refugees is safe, voluntary return to their homelands. This option is available for only a small minority of refugees because they are fleeing from war and persecution and would face it again if they returned. The second solution is to pursue self-sufficiency and local integration in countries of asylum.
According to RefugeKC, around 500 refugees and displaced persons are resettled in Kansas City each year. As of November 28, 2021, Kansas City has over 15,000 refugees and displaced persons settled in our city. This number will only increase.
Mercy in the City is supported by donors and grant funding options to help make a difference in our city. Mercy in the City has the goal to help families move out of dependency on others and move into self-sufficiency by offering options which give dignity and grace to our community members of Kansas City. Mercy in the City works alongside other local small businesses to help create affordable, sustainable, and quality homes for our neighbors. By partnering with government agencies, donors, and local entities, Mercy in the City provides the community in Kansas City with mercy, hope, dignity, family, work, and a new future.
Mercy in the City generously offers direct aid to meet physical, material, and economic needs of our communities.
We do this by:
Creating affordable and sustainable housing for refugees, minorities, and displaced persons
Partnering with government agencies through grant funding and other resources
Engaging with local entities to provide funding, volunteer opportunities, and other resources
Mercy in the City provides individuals, families, and communities with what they need to move out of dependency into self-sufficiency.
We encourage our communities into self-sufficiency by providing life-skills and vocational training, job opportunities, and relationships for up to two years. We want to be an example of what it means to be a good neighbor and support your community in hopes that others may implement these qualities themselves.
Mercy in the City moves beyond relief of immediate needs and dependency and focuses on changing the conditions and social structures that aggravate, oppress, or cause dependency. We strive for this by supporting affordable and sustainable neighborhoods surrounding our housing structures.
Our number one goal is to help our community members feel cared for, loved, seen, and supported.