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Investing in the Future of Education

Posted on | by Henry Montesano

Unfortunately, the high school student dropout rate in New Jersey is increasing compared to the national average. Therefore, Embrace Relief has implemented the GradPlus program in 16 schools throughout the state, giving high school students the opportunity to pursue vocational training in a field they are passionate about. 

Partnerships with local organizations and schools allow Embrace Relief to work directly with the students, teachers, and mentors to ensure a path to successful higher education. When a student enters GradPlus, they work directly with a mentor and tutor to optimize studying habits for the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS) test, which is required to enter vocational training.

Students have the ability to choose from over 45 choices of vocational training paths in every type of field such as medical, tech, business, cosmetology, and more. Some specific programs include being a personal trainer, web development, electrician, massage therapist, radio or television broadcaster, and so many more!

Why is GradPlus important?

  1. Improves self-esteem and confidence
  2. Results in higher graduation rates
  3. Provides guidance toward a successful career path or college education
  4. Informs students about access to financial support and certification programs
  5. Strengthens academic concepts hindering students’ educational success
  6. Increases higher income opportunities in the future

GradPlus is an excellent program for high school students who face economic and environmental conditions impeding academic excellence, participation in extracurricular activities, and transition to secondary education or a career. 140 high school students have benefited from GradPlus to date.

Click here to invest in students’ education!

Australia Wildfires

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
(Photo: Matthew Abbott for The New York Times) As of September 2019, Australia has been burning in flames. There have been over 100 bush fires due to an extremely dry season which makes the land highly prone to catch fire. Thus far, 12-15 million acres have been burned to a crisp, 480+ million animals have died, 2,500+ homes and buildings have been destroyed, 1,000+ wildlife species are on the brink of extinction, and 23+ people have been reported dead. Although the country has been blessed this past week with rainfall, it did not last for more than one day. Furthermore, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), there is expected to be a “mega blaze” that will kick-start even more fires later this week. According to NASA and other space agencies, the smoke from the fire can be seen from space. If the fires are not stopped in the next few months, there will be permanent damage to the country’s ecosystem, environment, climate, and wildlife. The smoke from the fires is also visible from New Zealand, which is over 2,500 miles away. In December, the Sydney air quality measured 11 times over the hazardous level. In collaboration with our partners located in Australia, we will be able to deliver supplies and materials necessary to help the land and people.

Univ. of California in PA and TCCP

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
Code Country Town/Village Inauguration Depth Serving
W14020 Chad Ndjamena – Darassalam 11.03.2014 45m / 148ft 500 people

St Vincent College and TCCP Pittsburgh

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
Code Country Town/Village Inauguration Depth Serving
W14019 Chad Ndjamena – Diguel Delebe 11.03.2014 45m / 148ft 450 people


Peace Islands Refugee Fundraiser

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
Peace Islands Institute New York invites you to join its campaign to raise funds to help Turkish refugees in Greece.  There is an ongoing refugee tragedy that is heavy on our hearts, so we decided to join Embrace Relief’s refugee relief efforts and start our own fundraiser. After a failed coup attempt in 2016, more than 150,000 public and private sector workers in Turkey were dismissed from their jobs.  Those dismissed include state officials, teachers, judges, academics, doctors, police officers, and media workers.

Source: TurkeyPurge.com

“The arbitrary dismissals have had a devastating impact on those who lost their jobs and their families. They did not only lose the jobs they occupied; in some cases, they were entirely cut off from access to their professions, as well as housing and health care benefits, leaving them and their families without livelihood opportunities.”  Amnesty International, 2018

Victims of the purge face exceptionally difficult circumstances.  They are barred from working in state institutions.  Private companies would not hire them given the enormous pressure from the government. And they are also prevented from seeking employment abroad since their passports are canceled, along with their spouses and children. Ekrem’s drawing of his favorite superhero, Spiderman (Greece, 2018). He is the actual superhero who walked over seven hours, quietly, never complaining, through dark woods at night and across the Evros/Meric River to get to Greece. Copyright @ Alex Morel Given the horrific conditions, many purge victims try to escape the country.  Many cross the Greek-Turkish border along the Evros river and seek a new life there.  This year alone, nearly 4,000 Turks have applied for asylum in Greece.  The Greek public has shown exemplary courage and hospitality of enormous proportions, and we are very grateful. Yet, unfortunately, many families perished in the Evros river trying to cross it under treacherous conditions.  

Alçı Family is seen as walking near the Evros river between Turkey and Greece. Photo: Mahir Korulu.  Read their story here.

Those refugees in Greece need our help! Your donations will help them pay rent, buy food and clothes, and reduce their suffering. Join us to help them get settled and continue on a path to self-sufficiency.  We want to thank you in advance for reading this message and sharing our concerns.  We hope you can help – no amount is too small and each penny will make a difference. You can donate below: Thanks to gracious donations and supporters, we’ve raised $26,667.95 for refugees in Greece! We ask you to consider donating to this cause to help even more people!

Greece Refugees Trip 2019

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
Set Them Free and Embrace Relief partners in organizing a Greece trip to visit women and children refugees. Our program includes sessions of conversation clubs for the students of Sisters Without Borders ESL classes. The instructors, who are native speakers, will also be organizing classes for our youth students as well. We will also be organizing a graduation ceremony for 30 women and children who have successfully completed the series of online language courses in English and Germany. The program also includes sessions of intellectual games to improve the leadership skills of children refugees and help them express themselves better. We wholeheartedly appreciate your support in organizing this trip and helping us to support the women and children refugees in Greece who had to leave their homeland, Turkey, to escape the purge and social death.

Sharing Happiness

Posted on | by Henry Montesano
Sometimes we often look at ourselves and ask, “What is the best way to make myself happy?” There could be many ways to answer this, but there is a key towards getting there, sharing. Throughout the years, we are taught that “Sharing is Caring” and that when you share with others, not only will they be happy, you will be happy too. This is because knowing that you have made somebody happy, it gives you the warm and fuzzy feeling that comes with doing something great. Caring for one another is something that connects us all as human beings, no matter where we are. Because the holiday season is known as “The Season of Giving”, we are shown sharing happiness with others the most during this time of year, in more ways than one. It doesn’t necessarily have to be only wrapping gifts in colorful boxes, it can be something as simple as holding the door open, saying hello to your neighbor and more.  In addition, a good way of sharing happiness is giving back to those in need around the world. Here at Embrace Relief, we have many ways of giving back. From sponsoring cataract surgeries, to building water wells, providing refugee relief, to helping students through GradPlus; the possibilities are endless! Of course this is only a short list of the types of relief you can offer through Embrace Relief. You can help share happiness with others around the world this holiday season by Clicking Here; above the donation amount box on the page is a list of our current campaigns to choose from.  Happy Holidays!

Emergency Housing for Refugees Fundraiser

Posted on | by Zarany
Winter has arrived once again. It’s the time of year when the winds are high, the air is cold, and the sun sets early. Winter is so much more than this though. It is a time to spend with loved ones, give thanks, and show appreciation for one another.  Unfortunately, refugees in Greece do not get to experience this loving side of winter, because most of the families have been separated from one another and even more do not have a place to call home. These refugees are often forced to brave the winter in refugee camps. These camps are crowded and under-resourced leaving many to struggle during these cold months. Because of this, Embrace Relief has organized safe and secure emergency housing for refugees who do not have a place to stay. Furthermore, refugees will also have access to food, psychological counseling, and legal assistance. This is the time of year to show support and love for your global family. Refugees are already plagued by stress and fear, the winter will only bring more hardships to their daily lives. Refugees in Greece need assistance and help to learn a completely new way of life in order to not just survive but to also thrive.  Due to the gracious donors and volunteers, Embrace Relief is able to provide this emergency housing, food, healthcare, financial, psychological, and legal support to those who need it most.