Empowering Refugee Children (ERC)

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world"- Nelson Mandela

Empowering Refugee Children (ERC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that started in Cary, North Carolina, focuses on empowering young refugees who have been displaced by providing them with access to educational opportunities. Our mission is to connect refugee youth with resources that will enable them to achieve their academic and professional goals. We work closely with sponsors and donors to provide scholarships to students impacted by the Global Refugee Crisis, allowing them to pursue higher education without financial burden.

In addition to providing financial support, we aim to amplify the voices of refugee youth in communities and raise awareness about the Global Refugee Crisis. Through our advocacy efforts, we hope to build a more inclusive and empathetic society that supports the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. Our ultimate goal is to help refugees build brighter futures for themselves and their communities by empowering them through education.

In fact, UNHCR states that more than half of the world's refugee children "do not get an education.Did you know that only 3% of refugees are able to pursue secondary education? ERC works to change this statistic. Our mission is to use our scholarship program to spread awareness about the Global Refugee Crisis and provide resources to improve educational accessibility for refugees. We just finished the 2023 Scholarship cycle with applicants from across NC and neighboring states.

Though incipient, ERC has won the BBB (Better Business Bureau) Jr. Sparks Award for an organization of authenticity and character.

Funded by Durham, NC (October 2023)