Approximately 13% of North Carolinians live in poverty, according to 2023 US Census Bureau statistics However, the proportion of Black (18.7%), Hispanic/Latino (20.7%), and American Indian (22.4%) populations living in poverty is much higher. A significant number of immigrants and refugees also face persistent poverty. The US Census Bureau reveals that approximately 1/3rd of all immigrants (33%) live in poverty. As a result, they face lack of food, denial of quality/affordable housing, denial of healthcare, lack of quality education, and denial of other basic rights.
Food supplies donated by North Raleigh Mosque for distribution in the refugee community. July 3, 2024.
Food donated by a Middle Eastern grocery store in Raleigh, NC. March 2024.
Food distribution in a refugee apartment complex in Raleigh, NC. July 3, 2024.
North Carolina-based People’s Power Lab and Local to Global Human Development has a mission to serve impacted people in North Carolina and many countries in South Asia and the Middle East where our members have family connections. A significant number of people in our base are refugees from different countries, including Rohingya, Afghan, Syrian, Somali, Congolese, and other refugees. Many have escaped genocide and extreme violence (Burma, Congo, Sudan, and other conflicts). We also serve many low-income immigrants from South Asia and the Middle East, as well as African American community members. A significant number of people we serve are unemployed/underemployed, lack basic healthcare, face hunger, and many lack English language fluency. Many of our people have mental health crises and lack access to healthcare. Some of the community members we serve have family members who are detained or incarcerated. These factors compound their circumstances, pushing them further into a cycle of poverty.
Homework support to Congolese refugee youth. April 6, 2024. Citizenship-test preparation for Rohingya youth in Knightdale, NC. July, 2023.
People’s Power Lab and Local to Global Human Development have launched a program to distribute food to Black, Brown, and working class community members in the Triangle area of North Carolina and other regions, including Rocky Mount, NC. A significant number of people we work with live in abject poverty, where the bulk of their salary/income goes to housing (most of our people pay 50% or more of their income for housing/rent), transportation, and utilities, and they have little money for food or healthcare. Access to healthy/nutritious food is essential for them and especially children in critical stages of growth.
Refugee youth teach-in in partnership with People’s Power Lab and Muslims for Social Justice. September 1, 2024. Refugee youth teach-in in partnership with People’s Power Lab and Muslims for Social Justice. March 29, 2024.
Community Eid Celebration with Black, Brown Muslim community members in Raleigh. April 20, 2024.
PPL and L2G believe that charity alone will not uplift people out of poverty. Instead, we are dedicated to long term empowerment of our people. We offer translation services to help apply for healthcare, loans/education scholarships, citizenship test preparation, job application process, and other services. We also provide homework support to the youth in our base. Our goal is to build the power of the impacted people so they lift themselves out of poverty and also help other members in their communities. In fact, English proficiency, including reading and writing in English, is linked to upward mobility and financial stability for many immigrants and refugees.
Research shows that the most resilient communities are the most organized communities, where people take care of each other, share resources, share knowledge, and build their collective power. PPL and L2G operate from the philosophy of organizing solidarity-based charity and building people’s power one-on-one. In addition to food drives and home-work support/translation services, we organize political education sessions and organize non-partisan civic engagement to win rights and dignity for all.
