We are a co-lab of nonprofits, communities, and churches working to fill the gap of refugee family assistance among Rohingya refugees in Dallas-Fort Worth.
The Rohingya are a stateless ethnic minority group from the Rakhine State in Myanmar (Burma). They are often referred to as one of the world’s most persecuted minorities. Over 1,000 Rohingya people have resettled in the Dallas-Forth Worth metroplex as refugees. They are friends, neighbors, students, business owners, and many of them fellow citizens of the United States.
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee conflict or persecution and cannot return to their country without risking their life or freedoms. It is a legal term that carries with it certain protections that refugees are entitled to. A refugee is different from an asylum seeker, a migrant worker, or an undocumented immigrant.
Refugees undergo a series of 8 background checks and security clearances over the course of several months to several years. They are the most vetted immigrants to come to the United States. Refugees are given full legal status upon arrival and are legally allowed to work in the U.S. They pay taxes and they also pay back the cost of their airfare to get to the United States.
Recent executive orders have severely impacted refugees and the services available to them. On January 20, 2025, an executive order halted all refugee resettlement into the U.S., including those who had already been fully vetted and others awaiting long-overdue reunification with family. As a result, many families remain stranded in difficult and uncertain conditions.
Another executive order suspended most foreign aid, including federally funded assistance promised to refugees. This has brought critical support services—such as rent assistance, Social Security card applications, food stamps, medical care, job applications, and school registration—to a near standstill. Without intervention, many families face the immediate risk of homelessness.
Until recently, people settled in the U.S. as refugees were given cash assistance for their first several months while they acquired necessary documents for employment and sought jobs to provide for their families. Now, many recently arrived families are at risk of losing their homes and have no food to put on the table. This fund, through CrossPoint Church of Christ, will go towards rent, utilities, and enabling families to purchase necessities.
Recently arrived families used to be provided with basic household items upon arrival by local resettlement agencies. Without these agencies, many are in need of kitchen, cleaning, and other household items. These items are listed for purchase on an Amazon wishlist hosted by our partner, Vickery Trading Co.
Just as families are lacking basic household items, they are needing beds, dressers, couches, and more. To see what items are needed or to donate, fill out this form.
Due to the recent government orders, many caseworkers have been furloughed and are unable to assist families in the ways they used to. Some tasks they helped with included: applying for Social Security, setting up medical appointments, registering children for school, and more. Many families are illiterate, unable to speak English, and are in need of someone to aid them in the necessary steps to establish their lives in America. Anyone willing to offer their assistance will be paired with an experienced worker in the community.
Friendship with a local is one of the most beneficial factors in helping a newly arrived family adjust to life in a new country. Rohingya families are in need of an individual, family, or community willing to commit to investing in relationship with them on a regular basis. People filling this role will be assisting with tasks that enable the family to be self-sustaining members of society. This exchange of relationship is without a doubt a gift for both parties.
Many times when we have asked Rohingya people how neighboring communities can help, they say: "Pray." As people from a variety of faith backgrounds, we firmly believe God is the only One who can bring the most change -- making the impossible possible.
Rohingya 101 is designed to equip attendees with the historical and cultural background of the Rohingya. This training enables volunteers to come alongside Rohingya families in a way that shows honor and gives dignity.