The organization’s founder is a trailblazer who embodies inclusion and inspires others
BOSTON, Mass. – (March 25, 2024) While March is Women’s History Month, whenever we celebrate world changers, we should be celebrating the women who are so often the catalysts behind the miracle of human progress. When we do so, we pave the way for the next woman to lead us to a better way – and our communities, our country and our world wins.
“Women are the innovators, creators, conduits, empaths, and leaders for change. Of the incredible humans who step up to offer refuge to refugees in the US through WelcomeNST, 70% are women,” says Elizabeth Davis-Edwards, founder of WelcomeNST. “And on the other side of that coin, it’s courageous women around the world who lead their families out of harm’s way to safety. Now more than ever, we need women to step up and use their superpowers for good.”
Davis-Edwards is no stranger to helping women around the world or empowering them. Her expansive career has allowed her to be a consultant to numerous Fortune 500 countries and, at the same time, made it possible for her to be instrumental in promoting humanitarian efforts in the community. She has also inspired countless others to rise to the challenge and help other women.
Davis-Edwards recognizes the sea of need that exists in the world as well as the ocean of goodwill alive in the hearts of those who want to help but don’t know how. She calls herself an “irrigation ditch digger,” because she’s- connecting givers and receivers, until it’s hard to tell who’s who and everyone wins. She’s dug ditches that have connected people in the U.S. with Haitians post 2010 earthquake, Afghan refugees in Greece during the Syrian crisis, and refugees stuck at the US-Mexico border. In 2021, she founded WelcomeNST to engage communities to form Neighborhood Support Teams (NSTs) to offer refuge to refugees in danger from places like Afghanistan, Ukraine, Haiti and Guatemala in their own neighborhoods. To date, she has mobilized 4000 Americans to welcome 800 refugees across 30 states.
As a change-maker and inspirational leader, Davis-Edwards is on a mission to help others get into celebrating and empowering women. Now more than ever, we need women to step up and use their superpowers for good. Here are some ways that women can help refugees:
·Get involved. Every community has ways for people to get involved and help empower women and girls. Look into the local refugee programs, mentoring programs, and crisis pregnancy centers to see what assistance is needed. If there are no organizations addressing something that needs to be done, start one to focus on those issues.
·Find ways to be more inclusive. The theme for International Women’s Day this year was to inspire inclusion, which can be done all year. Finding ways to be more inclusive to help elevate women worldwide is essential. We can do this through economic empowerment, hiring diversely, promoting women’s artistic talents, assisting women to have access to education, etc. Be an advocate for education for women and make a point of supporting women-owned businesses and non-profit organizations.
·Offer support in your community. Many communities need helping women. Whether it is pregnant mothers who need baby items, teenagers who need good role models, or teaching a skill to others at the library. When these people are helped in the community, it helps everyone.
·Start an NST chapter. Work with WelcomeNST to start a chapter that helps refugees in your local area. Assisting people to get settled and be more successful creates more vital communities. It also makes a culture that focuses on being more compassionate toward each other.
“Women have always changed the world, says Davis-Edwards. All you have to do, is join the movement!”
WelcomeNST’s innovative approach relies on the power of communities. The organization offers a new method of resettlement that harnesses the innate power of each community one family at a time. This unique approach puts the keys to the American Dream in the hands of Americans and opens our doors for more people to pave the way to a brighter future for all. To learn more about how to get involved in helping refugees through WelcomeNST, visit the site at:https://www.welcomenst.org/. Those interested in learning more about assisting refugees with resettlement efforts should fill out the interest form.
About WelcomeNST
WelcomeNST is a 501c3 non-profit organization that is mobilizing communities to create Neighborhood Support Teams (NSTs) that provide refuge to refugees. CEO Elizabeth Davis-Edwards has started a humanitarian movement founded on the belief that the power to solve the global refugee crisis lies within our communities. It transcends borders and labels, uniting communities in a shared mission to uplift one another. WelcomeNST is redefining the narrative, proving that when humanity joins hands, remarkable transformations can occur. For more information about WelcomeNST and how you can become part of a Neighborhood Support Team, please visithttps://www.welcomenst.org/ and to see the impact the organization is making follow @WelcomeNST on Instagram.
