This Erie Gives Day, Help Us Keep the Welcome Going
Across the globe, more than 120 million people have been forcibly displaced due to war, persecution, violence, and human rights violations. Of those, over 43 million are refugees—individuals who cannot safely return to their home countries.
Here in the U.S., refugee resettlement remains paused under the current Administration. At the same time, there is growing concern over potential funding cuts to essential refugee services.
And yet, refugees continue to arrive in Erie—not through formal airport welcomes, but as individuals and families relocating on their own or referred by other agencies, seeking safety, stability, and support.
That’s where MCRC steps in.
For nearly 50 years, MCRC has stood beside refugees, immigrants, and New Americans, not just meeting immediate needs, but walking with families as they rebuild their lives. We call it the long welcome—a commitment to supporting our neighbors through housing, education, employment, citizenship, and community.
Even as federal policy shifts, our mission continues to grow:
• We help families stabilize and thrive after arriving in Erie
• We provide legal, social, and educational support to those navigating complex systems
• We expand access to employment opportunities, training, and inclusion
• We advocate for dignity, justice, and belonging—especially when national attention fades
Refugees are not statistics—they are neighbors, workers, students, and parents whose resilience strengthens our city’s economic and cultural fabric.
But this work depends on your support.