Immigrant Run

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/dreamers-changing-ny-daca-5k-run-tickets-37829161039

Safari Yangu is a student-led organization, ran and managed by students and alumni of Columbia University. Safari Yangu is unique as it serves as a platform for immigrants from all over to share their story and experience. Immigrants are left often feeling scared, secluded, and voiceless. Yet, here, immigrants are welcomed and encouraged to speak out. Safari Yangu hosts various events to unite people of the community and empower immigrants, or individuals from immigrant people, to share their story. Safari Yangu advocates for immigrants from all around the world to bring real life stories and experiences for the immigrant community to be heard.

Prior to this upcoming event, Safari Yangu hosted a seminar called Immigrants Tell Their Stories. This event allowed us to create a platform to change the perceptions of immigrants and refugees in the United States and throughout the world. This platform aimed to empower immigrants and refugees through the narration of their own tales. Following this event, Safari Yangu will now be hosting a 5K Immigrant Run on October 28, 2017. Participants have the choice of running or walking; whatever feels more comfortable for you. For those who chose to walk, you are welcome to bring banners, and signs supporting the immigrant community. We also welcome all organizations, and nonprofits who want to partake in the 5K.

Immigrants and supporters will run (or walk) together as we celebrate the contributions from immigrants in the greater New York City area. In order for this amazing event to occur, outside funds are needed. Since Safari Yangu is a student-led initiative, the funds to be used are scarce. These funds will be able to sponsor hydration and aid stations, snacks, event safety (NYPD, NY EMT), permits, and other miscellaneous materials.

After the run, immigrants and refugees will have the opportunity to share their life stories as immigrants in this country. As immigrants share their stories, it can potentially become a trigger and these individuals may need to speak with someone more in-depth regarding their experience. Fortunately, Columbia School of Social Work has available space for these conversations to be had, however, professional individuals are needed and need to be compensated. The funds that we receive will also help cover these costs.

In order to cover the cost of the event and support the immigrant community, we will be selling registration tickets for a small donation of $10 per person.If you want to register your organization, we will be selling registration tickets for a donation of $100. With that being said, there’s no maximum donation so, we encourage you to donate the amount that you feel the most comfortable with.

We hope you can join us; it will be an event that you won’t want to miss.