Facilitating Opportunities for Refugee Growth and Empowerment (FORGE) is a non-profit organization at the University of Pittsburgh that started out primarily as an advocacy organization for humanitarian crises involving refugees here in Pittsburgh and around the world, but has grown and expanded since its formation in 2005.

Every year, FORGE hosts events such as conferences featuring guest speakers, documentary screenings, fundraising, public forums, and clothing and book drives at Pitt. We also regularly host holiday parties and events with the local refugee communities.
To learn more about our past, present, and future events, click here.

In addition to hosting events, FORGE also tutors refugees in the Greater Pittsburgh Area through our Refugee Resettlement Initiative. Pairs of students are matched with newly arrived refugee families (from countries including Burundi, Burma, Bhutan, Nepal, and Uzbekistan) according to their schedules, language skills, and interests.
For ~3 hours a week (transportation provided), students visit the families' homes to help them learn English and be a guide during the process of acculturating (NOT assimilating). Just seeing a friendly face regularly every week, having an American friend who can help explain bills, the mail, what goes in the refrigerator, or give help with schoolwork, is a comforting and valuable source of support. It is an invaluable experience for any volunteer and the learning is mutual.
To learn more about tutoring, click here.

Join our weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 9:00PM in Cathedral of Learning 216!

Download the latest edition of the FORGE Newsletter!