When refugee families arrive in the United States, they’ve typically spent months or years in refugee camps or temporary housing. They’ve been vetted, approved, and have legal authorization to live and work — but they arrive with very little. Most carry one or two suitcases containing everything they own.
Immediate Physical Needs
Furnished Housing
This is the most critical and immediate need. Resettlement agencies secure apartments before families arrive, but the apartments are almost always completely empty — no furniture, no kitchen supplies, nothing.
Families need:
- Beds and bed frames — Adults and children often sleep on bare floors their first night if furniture isn’t available
- Mattresses and bedding — Sheets, pillows, and blankets
- A dining table and chairs — For meals and children’s homework
- A sofa or seating — A place to gather as a family
- Dressers and storage — For clothing and personal items
- Kitchen essentials — Pots, pans, plates, cups, utensils (in complete sets)
At Be Deliberate, furnishing apartments is our core mission. We collect gently used furniture from the Dallas community and deliver complete apartment setups so families walk into a home — not an empty room.
Donate furniture to furnish a family’s home →
Clothing
Families often arrive with limited clothing, especially clothing suitable for the local climate. Winter coats, shoes, and children’s clothing in various sizes are always in demand.
Food and Groceries
Resettlement agencies often stock basic groceries before arrival, but families need ongoing access to affordable, culturally appropriate food.
Hygiene and Cleaning Supplies
Toiletries, laundry detergent, dish soap, and basic cleaning supplies are needed immediately but often overlooked.
Support and Services
Employment Assistance
Refugees are authorized to work in the US immediately upon arrival and are expected to become self-sufficient within 3-6 months. They need help with resume preparation, job applications, workplace culture understanding, and transportation.
English Language Classes
Language is often the biggest barrier to independence. Most refugees arrive with limited or no English proficiency. ESL classes are offered by resettlement agencies, community colleges, libraries, and churches.
Healthcare Access
Refugees receive a brief initial health screening upon arrival, plus access to Refugee Medical Assistance (RMA) for the first 8 months. After that, they need to navigate the US healthcare system on their own.
School Enrollment for Children
Children must be enrolled in local schools, where they may need ESL support, trauma-informed care, and help adjusting to a completely new educational system.
Legal Services
Refugees may need help with immigration paperwork, applying for green cards (after 1 year), family reunification petitions, and understanding their legal rights.
Social and Emotional Needs
Community and Friendship
Social isolation is one of the most underestimated challenges for newly arrived refugees. They’ve left behind their entire social network and arrived in a place where they often don’t know anyone.
“A former refugee from Iraq once shared that the biggest need a refugee has is an American friend.”
Mental Health Support
Many refugees have experienced trauma — war, displacement, loss of family members, time in refugee camps. Access to culturally sensitive mental health services is critical but often unavailable or underutilized due to stigma and language barriers.
Cultural Orientation
Understanding how things work in America takes time. Banking, public transportation, grocery shopping, school systems, and even using household appliances can be confusing for families from very different backgrounds.
How You Can Help Meet These Needs
Donate Furniture
The single most impactful physical item you can provide. Your gently used furniture transforms an empty apartment into a home. We offer free pickup across Dallas-Fort Worth.
Volunteer
Help deliver and set up furniture, or lend your skills in other ways. No experience needed.
Give Financially
Your donation covers warehouse operations, truck maintenance, and welcome kits — things we can’t source from furniture donations.
Spread the Word
Share our mission with friends, family, your workplace, or your faith community. The more people know about refugee needs, the more support families receive.