What if you had to leave everything you have ever known behind—your house, your friends, your school—and start over in a foreign country with nothing? What would you do?
Unfortunately, this scenario is not hypothetical for millions of refugees worldwide. It is their reality. More than 110 million people have been forcibly displaced due to war, violence, and persecution. This number is greater than the entire population of California, Texas and Florida combined. These individuals have been forced to flee their home countries and relocate to unfamiliar places with minimal hope of rebuilding the lives they once had.
For most high school students, this may seem like a distant issue. However, even thousands of miles away, there are ways to help. At CVHS, the student-led club Students for Refugees works to help displaced communities and refugees through advocacy, fundraising and volunteering. What started as a small group of students with a shared passion has grown into a Houston-based nonprofit organization with chapters at various high schools. Founded on the idea of global solidarity, the club revolves around the belief that small efforts can work together to create a big impact. It is a call to action that proves making a difference does not require traveling across the world.
SFR prioritizes raising awareness along with taking action. Students participate in regularly scheduled volunteering and organize special events. Every month, volunteers work at Peace Farm. Located in southwest Houston, Peace Farm allows volunteers to do hands-on work maintaining a farm, with the goods then sold to raise money for local refugees. Volunteers spend their weekends tending to crops, pulling weeds, and harvesting vegetables, knowing their labor provides relief to families in need.
In addition, SFR regularly organizes drives and fundraisers. In November 2024, they held a school supply drive at CVHS to collect materials for refugee children. In February, they hosted a clothing drive for Lebanese refugees. Once they received the donations, they met at the local YMCA to sort and pack the clothes, ensuring every item was folded, labeled, and ready for delivery.
“When I saw all the donations come together, I realized how much the community cares for refugees despite the distance between us and them,” Carolina Gallardo, an SFR board member, said. “All the little things we do add up, and I truly believe that we are making a difference.”
With increased participation, SFR is already planning its next projects. While they will continue working at Peace Farm and hosting drives, they also plan to resume volunteering at refugee health clinics around Houston. Here, they assist medical professionals in providing necessary health care to displaced families. In addition, sophomore Crystal Zhang, another SFR board member, shared the club’s plan for the future.
“We are working to put together a fundraiser to support refugee education programs. We hope to work with local organizations around Houston to have more of a direct impact on refugees, as education is one of the biggest barriers for refugee children,” Zhang said.
Beyond their hands-on work, SFR also prioritizes advocacy. They host regular meetings where they discuss significant but often controversial topics related to refugees, including border crises, policies, and personal experiences. Through advocacy and volunteering, SFR members have built a community rooted in the idea that their work has changed their perspective on life, teaching them to count their blessings and never take much for granted.
Students also have the opportunity to connect with people outside their usual circles through SFR’s volunteer opportunities, forming bonds with individuals from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
“When I would see refugees on the news, I used to think there was nothing I could do,” Isabel Kamerbeek, an SFR member, said. “But now I know that awareness is the first step, and even the smallest course of action can change a life.”
Through continuous compassion combined with action, SFR shows that anyone can make a difference. The refugee crisis is not just a global issue, it is a human one. SFR works to inspire others to contribute to a meaningful cause that extends beyond national borders.
“While we may not be able to end the entire refugee crisis, we can still foster hope and improvement with every act of kindness we do,” Gallardo said.
