By Anne DeVries
For 15 years, the Refugee Collective, formerly the Multicultural Refugee Coalition, has been a beacon of hope and opportunity for refugees resettling in Austin. Founded by two Liberian refugees, Johnson Doe, and Paul Tiah, alongside two American women, Meg Erskine and Sarah Stranahan, the organization has evolved into an impactful force, offering opportunities for employment, food procurement, English language classes, and assimilation into the Austin community.
The two primary arms of the Refugee Collective are the Textile Studio, located at the 8th Street Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Austin, and the Organic Farm, near Elgin. Coupled with small business community partners, the enterprise employs refugees in the area, partners with small businesses in Austin to build community, and provides food to local refugees. By combining traditional skills with modern markets and employing refugees in fair-wage jobs that are both dignified and environmentally conscious, the Refugee Collective is a model for outreach.
The Refugee Collective Textile Studio is a creative space where refugee artisans craft beautiful items like tea towels, totes, fanny packs, dog products, and other textiles using upcycled fabrics, organic cotton, and natural dyes from food waste products and cultivated plants. Traditional block printing, sewing, and embroidery are used in their work.
The Refugee Collective farm is another vital part of the organization’s framework. Through the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, the Refugee Collective grows organic vegetables for local subscribers and families in the refugee program. Members of the Austin community can subscribe online at the Refugee Collective website to purchase weekly or bi-weekly CSA locally-grown vegetables, with pick-up spots around Austin.
The farm program also offers land to recently arrived refugees, allowing them to cultivate culturally desirable crops such as Afghan leeks and hibiscus. Last year, the farm donated over 70 CSA vegetable bags each week to refugee families in AISD. This program is in jeopardy of being discontinued if additional funds are not raised.
The Refugee Collective works with local businesses (community partners) in their textile and farming endeavors, such as Texas Roselle, Lucky + Dog, Major Darling, Trophyolog, Este Restaurant, Johnny Bee Good Honey, and Newton Supply Company. The community partnerships support the Refugee Collective’s mission and bring awareness to refugee challenges.
The Refugee Collective is hosting a special fundraising event on October 27th at its farm near Elgin to celebrate its work and raise funds for future projects. Attendees will experience a farm-to-table dinner featuring local favorites from Lenoir Restaurant and Abby Janes Bake Shop, including hibiscus cocktails. The evening will offer farm tours, a natural dyeing demonstration, and a chance to engage with the Refugee Collective community. Proceeds will support the Refugee Collective’s ongoing mission to provide job training, skill set application, food access, and fulfilling livelihoods for Austin’s refugee community.
Tickets for the event and more information about the Refugee Collective, the CSA organic vegetable subscription program, and products offered by their community partners can be found at www.therefugeecollective.org.
