‘To Belong, Contribute, & Thrive’ Drives the Refuge America Mission

Note: This Q&A is part of a series of profiles featuring recipients from the West Side Community Fund (WSCF) Spring 2026 grant cycle, which was dedicated exclusibvely to supporting LGBTQIA+ initiatives. WSCF is a consortium of leading companies based on the west side of Manhattan that have come together to support efforts that benefit underserved members of the Chelsea, Hudson Yards, and Hell’s Kitchen communities.

 ——- Q&A with EDAFE OKPORO of REFUGE AMERICA ——-

Scott Stiffler, for LGBTQCommunityNewe.nyc (LGBTQCommNews): You co-founded Refuge America in 2022 along with Dan Friedman. How did the two of you meet, and what circumstances led to its creation?

Edafe Okporo, for Refuge America (Edafe): Dan and I met playing soccer on the Upper West Side of Manhattan during the pandemic. We came from very different backgrounds. Dan is Jewish, originally from England, and has spent his career in education, journalism, and storytelling. I’m a gay refugee from Nigeria who sought asylum in the United States. Despite our different journeys, we shared a common belief that stories have the power to change hearts, shape public opinion, and build more welcoming communities.

We founded Refuge America in 2022 because we saw a gap. LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees were often overlooked in both immigration and LGBTQ spaces. We wanted to create an organization that helps Americans better understand who displaced LGBTQIA+ people are. Our mission has remained the same since day one—to welcome LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees, help them rebuild their lives, and tell their stories with dignity.

LGBTQCommNews: How did your own experience as a refugee influence the services Refuge America provides, and how it treats the asylum seekers it works with?

Edafe: I often say that I started an organization to save my life. What I didn’t realize was that it would also help save the lives of others like me. When I arrived in the United States, I thought reaching safety would be the end of my journey. Instead, I experienced detention, homelessness, and profound isolation. I learned that escaping persecution doesn’t automatically mean you’ve found belonging.

That experience changed how I think about solutions. People are often quick to label immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. I’m much more interested in solving the problems they face.

That’s why Refuge America was built differently. We know people need more than legal protection. They need housing, community, trusted relationships, and someone who believes in them. We don’t see people as cases to manage; we see them as neighbors rebuilding their lives with extraordinary resilience.

Every program we create begins with one question: What would have made my own journey easier? That question led us to build Communities of Care, where volunteers, partners, and neighbors help LGBTQIA+ newcomers find not only safety, but belonging. It’s the standard we hold ourselves to every day, because everyone deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life with dignity and hope.

LGBTQCommNews: The organization’s mission is to help “asylum seekers and refugees find safety, rebuild their lives, and share their stories.” How does Refuge America accomplish all three of those elements—and why is story sharing, important?

Edafe: Safety begins with meeting immediate needs. We help connect people to safe housing, legal referrals, behavioral health resources, transportation, and emergency assistance through our Communities of Care initiative.

Rebuilding means creating pathways to long-term stability. That includes connecting newcomers with volunteers, employers, community organizations, and mentors who help them establish roots and become independent.

Storytelling is equally important because too often refugees are spoken about instead of listened to. Stories restore humanity. They challenge stereotypes, build empathy, and remind people that behind every immigration statistic is a human being with dreams, talents, and a future. Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have for creating a more welcoming America.

LGBTQCommNews: What’s the difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee, in terms of the resources you provide?

Edafe: The legal pathways are different, but the human needs are often the same. Refugees are approved for protection before arriving in the United States, while asylum seekers request protection after arriving here. Regardless of legal status, people need community. Refuge America focuses on helping individuals navigate life after displacement. Whether someone is seeking asylum or has already received refugee status, we connect them to housing, community sponsorship, legal referrals, behavioral health resources, and opportunities to rebuild their lives with dignity.

LGBTQCommNews: As a result of the current federal administration’s policies and tone, what do you say to those seeking your help, in terms of cautions, assurances, and expectations? 

Edafe: This is undoubtedly a challenging time for many immigrants, particularly LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers. We encourage people to stay informed, work closely with qualified legal providers, and avoid making decisions based on rumors or misinformation.

At the same time, we remind people that they are not alone. Refuge America exists because communities continue to choose welcome over fear. While policies may change, our commitment does not. We continue to build local systems of care that help people find stability, connection, and hope regardless of the political climate.

LGBTQCommNews: How are you using the funds from your Spring 2026 West Side Community Fund (WSCF) grant?

Edafe: The WSCF grant supports Refuge America’s storytelling work, which is central to our mission of building a more welcoming America for LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and refugees. We believe that sharing lived experiences is one of the most effective ways to reduce stigma, build empathy, and inspire community action.

Grant funding will support storytelling initiatives, including our Welcomers 2026 gathering on September 24 during the United Nations General Assembly in New York City. The event brings together community members, advocates, and supporters to learn about the experiences of displaced LGBTQIA+ people, hear from guest speakers, and explore how they can become part of a more welcoming community. RSVP link https://pp.events/bVQKGgK3.

Through events like Welcomers and our broader storytelling efforts, we educate the public, elevate refugee voices, and encourage more people to participate in Refuge America’s Communities of Care initiative. These investments help transform awareness into meaningful human connection and lasting community support.

LGBTQCommNews: Are there goals and/or plans to expand your services and the scope of your mission?

Edafe: Yes. Refuge America has grown from a New York-based organization into one serving multiple regions across the country. We’re expanding our Communities of Care model in cities where LGBTQIA+ newcomers are settling, including the Pacific Northwest, and the Mountain West.

Our goal isn’t simply to grow geographically. We want to strengthen local communities of welcome so that wherever LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers arrive, they can find both safety and belonging.

LGBTQCommNews: Besides becoming a donor, what can individuals do to support the work of Refuge America?

Edafe: There are many ways to get involved. People can volunteer, become community sponsors, attend our events, introduce us to potential partners, advocate for more welcoming policies, or simply help challenge misinformation about refugees and asylum seekers.

One of the most meaningful things someone can do is make space for a newcomer in their own community. Sometimes a shared meal, a friendship, or an introduction can change someone’s life.

LGBTQCommNews: Thanks for your time, and please feel free to talk here, about anything not covered in the above questions.

Edafe: I often say that safety is not the same as belonging. Much of our public conversation about immigration focuses on borders, policies, and legal systems. Those conversations matter, but what ultimately changes lives is community.

At Refuge America, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life surrounded by people who see their humanity. We’re not simply helping LGBTQIA+ refugees survive. We’re working to create a more welcoming America where everyone has the opportunity to belong, contribute, and thrive.

For more information about Refuge America, click here to visit their website.

—END—

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