Run for Refugees- Denver Colfax Marathon/5K

First Timer! ACC is officially registered as a charity partner for the upcoming Denver Colfax Marathon on May 18-19th! Join us!
 

How Does it Work?

To participate, please first visit runcolfax.org and sign up for your preferred race distance (5K, 10 Miler, Half Marathon, Full Marathon, or Marathon Relay). As you're registering, please select ACC as your charity partner. Once you've done this, someone from our team will be in touch with more information via email, including information on how to set up your own fundraising page (optional but encouraged!). All participants who donate or fundraise at least $50 for ACC will receive a "Run for Refugees" shirt to wear during the race. Additional incentives will be provided to those who reach additional fundraising goals. 

Why Run for Refugees? 

The number of forcibly displaced people around the world hit an all-time high in 2022- surpassing 100 million individuals for the first time in recorded history. Now, at the start of 2024, that number has only increased & is currently estimated at 114 million, as per the U.N. This global refugee crisis can be seen locally in Denver, where our organization has experienced record growth in the past several years, resettling higher numbers of families than ever before.

Running for Refugees is a powerful act of solidarity with those newcomers who have rebuilt their lives in Denver as well as all of the displaced people around the world who continue to wait for resettlement to a third country such as the U.S. 

Why raise funds for ACC?

In 2023, ACC welcomed more refugees and immigrants than we ever have before in a twelve-month period (and we've been doing this work for nearly 25 years!) Last year, we welcomed over 1,350 individuals from all over the world- Afghanistan, Ukraine, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo & many other countries. ACC staff members walk alongside these individuals as they work to rebuild their lives in Denver. 

Your donation helps fill in the gaps for newcomers who need a bit of extra support in their initial months in the U.S. - helping pay a utilities bill, a grocery cart full of essential food items, or a bin filled with cleaning supplies.

Donation Impact Levels

$25 provides initial hygiene items for a refugee family 

$50 provides a cleaning kit for a newcomer’s apartment 

$100 provides new sheets and pillows for a family 

$150 provides a twin bed frame & mattress for a refugee child 

$250 provides full cart of groceries including fresh fruits & vegetables 

$500 provides partial rent payment to family struggling with medical concerns

Meet A Family!  

In September of 2023, Erick, Mariela, and their two daughters Hanny and Ainhoa entered the U.S. via California and continued their journey onwards to Colorado. Erick and his family opened a case with ACC and quickly got connected a team of staff members who would support the Cuban family with their expressed goals and needs. A worsening economic crisis in Cuba with frequent blackouts and food and fuel shortages has propelled historic numbers to flee during the past several years. 

So far, the family has received support with public benefits applications, with school enrollment for their 16 year-old daughter and ESL registration for Erick and Mariela, and with legal navigation from ACC's Legal Team.

When reflecting on the support they've received, Erick said, “[ACC] has helped us financially, as well as with legal processes and orientation. Especially Kai, who has been working with us directly, has been very kind, helpful, and treated us well.”