Hello
We are glad you are here. If you read our story below, you may not believe that we didn't even know refugees lived in Jacksonville prior to December 2014. However, their lives have changed ours and we have been so enriched by everyone refugee family we have met. We hope you will take the time to reach out to the newcomers in your community as well. You will be glad you did.
Our Story
Barton and Lori started began working with refugees as volunteer partners with World Relief Jacksonville in 2014, they saw the essential need for sustained ongoing support needed by many refugees at the completion of their 90 days of government funding. Despite their successful professional careers, Barton and Lori’s hearts were touched by the plight of the refugees and after feeling helpless to provide the necessary support while managing a full-time career, Lori quit her job to help refugees full-time. In the fall of 2015, Barton and Lori sold their condo on the St. Johns River and moved into a low end apartment complex to live among the refugee community. This move enabled them to provide support, to facilitate the learning of life skills and to build lasting friendships with refugees from all over the world.
Unfortunately, the complex where they lived treated the refugees so poorly that they transitioned out quickly and World Relief stopped placing new families at this location. With very few refugees onsite and their lease expiring, Barton and Lori purchased a duplex. They moved into one side and rented the other side to a refugee family of 8 who were going to be homeless because they could not meet the income requirement necessary to move into another apartment. Barton and Lori continue to look for other properties that they can affordably rent to refugee families. As a result of their lived experiences, Barton and Lori formed two nonprofits:
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Beyond90 helps after their initial 90 days of resettlement are complete and focuses on bridging the gap to self-sufficiency so refugees have ongoing resources and support.
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First90 resettles refugees from day 1 as an Affiliate partner of World Relief.
The two organizations together provide a continuum of care for refugees from their first day in the U.S. and once their case is closed they have a seamless transition for ongoing support. Together they help refugees to rebuild their lives in a new country as they work hard to support themselves and to become contributing members of American society.