Bridge Refugee Services Chattanooga

In East Tennessee, refugees bring economic growth by filling important jobs in hospitality, manufacturing, food service, retail, healthcare, and warehousing industries, among others.

East Tennessee is also home to several refugee-owned businesses: construction companies, trucking enterprises, restaurants, catering services, party suppliers, painting contractors, and independent artists.

Refugees are our neighbors, coworkers, fellow students, business owners, and friends.

We need to ensure all refugees have the right to seek safety and a new start. Stand with us as we advocate for our clients Until Everyone Is Safe.

Get involved:
⟢ Volunteer.: Visit our website to learn more - bridgerefugees.org
⟢ Spread the word.: Share our posts and educate your community.
⟢ Stand with us.: Help build a community of belonging and safety.

Myth: Refugees are a burden on the economy and do not contribute financially.
Fact: Refugees contribute as workers, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers, strengthening the US economy in numerous ways.

Refugees produced a net positive fiscal impact of $123.8 billion over a 15 year period.
(US Department of Health & Human Services - 2024 published study)

In a 2023 report, findings showed there were approximately 188,000 refugee entrepreneurs in the US who generated $5.1 billion in business income.
(American Immigration Council - 2023 Report)

Refugees add immense value to local economies and communities through their hard work, resources, expertise, and skills. Champion their rights to rebuild and thrive.

Within their first 5 years of arrival in the US:
87.9% of working-age refugees find employment in the labor force
22.6% of refugees pursue a degree or certification
20.9% of refugees have become homeowners
(ORR - Annual Refugee Survey 2023)

Everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency, pursue a career, and establish a new home—but this is only possible when they are able to live in safety.

“No one is safe until the most vulnerable among us are. When people are forced to flee their homes, we all have a role to play. Ensuring protection for refugees strengthens communities, promotes stability, and saves lives.” - UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency

Historically, the United States has received more refugees for resettlement than any other country in the world.

Since 1975, 3 million refugees have resettled in the US. (USA for UNHCR)

In 2024 alone, 105,500 refugees resettled in the US and began to call it home. (USA for UNHCR)

Welcoming refugees is a part of our nation’s DNA. Let’s continue the tradition of creating communities where refugees can find safety and belonging.

Did you know there are 42.5 million refugees worldwide? (UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, Global Trends Report - June 2024)

This means that 1 out of every 195 people on earth have been forced to flee their home due to persecution.

Follow for more facts as we recognize and honor those who have fled.

During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to recognize, thank, and honor all of our dedicated Bridge Volunteers.

With flexibility and patience, our volunteers give Bridge and our clients their valuable time, skills, and often, their treasures, too.

Bridge would not be able to welcome and serve refugees to help them preserve their Dignity, Hope, and Opportunity without our volunteers' selfless service.

Today, from our Chattanooga branch, we would like to introduce you to two of our valued and dedicated volunteers, Mary and Rick Sieger.

1. How long have you been volunteering with Bridge?

We started volunteering with Bridge about 4 years ago in the summer of 2022.

2. What inspired you to start volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services?

We were introduced to Bridge by a friend at our church, First Centenary UMC. We were interested and committed to serve with Bridge largely due to Mary's growing up in Peru for 15 years in a missionary family.

3. What are some of the volunteer activities you’ve been involved in, and could you share a favorite memory or moment from your time with us?

Mary became very appreciated by staff and clients for fluent Spanish and Rick for furniture funds and set up assistance. The ability to provide transportation for individuals and families of 6-8 people was also very important. We have good memories of meeting inbound refugees at the airport, introducing them to their new home, and being grateful for all we had as a family ourselves.

4. What is something you’ve learned about yourself, our local community, or the world while volunteering with Bridge?

We've heard first-person accounts of today's circumstances of hunger, poverty and fear in refugee homelands that have made the United States seem a safe haven and an opportunity for prosperity and safety in a new land. May that remain true.

During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to recognize, thank, and honor all of our dedicated Bridge Volunteers.

With flexibility and patience, our volunteers give Bridge and our clients their valuable time, skills, and often, their treasures, too.

Bridge would not be able to welcome and serve refugees to help them preserve their Dignity, Hope, and Opportunity without our volunteers' selfless service.

Today, from our Knoxville branch, we would like to introduce you to one of our valued and dedicated volunteers, Celia Niebler.

1. How long have you been volunteering with Bridge?

I have been volunteering with Bridge since September 2025.

2. What inspired you to start volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services?

I was introduced to the opportunity through a friend who had been in contact with Peter about starting an ELL class at UT Medical Center. When she asked if I’d be interested in helping teach, I was immediately excited about the idea of supporting others through language learning and getting involved in the community in a meaningful way.

3. What are some of the volunteer activities you’ve been involved in, and could you share a favorite memory or moment from your time with us?

I’ve primarily been involved in teaching the ELL class, which has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Beyond helping students improve their English, I’ve really valued the relationships built in the classroom. One of my favorite memories from teaching has been getting to know all of the students and being able to tailor some of the lessons towards their interests and needs. I think one of the best classes was our most recent one. We were able to break the class into two teams, and they competed in different games.

4. What is something you’ve learned about yourself, our local community, or the world while volunteering with Bridge?

Before this experience, I had never been a teacher, so it’s been really rewarding to learn how to engage students and adapt to different learning styles. I’ve also gained a deeper appreciation for the local community and the diverse backgrounds of the people within it. One of the most unique parts of this program is the opportunity to teach students directly at their workplace, which makes learning more accessible and immediately relevant to their daily lives. It’s been inspiring to be part of something like that, and I hope the program continues to grow and succeed even after I move on.

During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to recognize, thank, and honor all of our dedicated Bridge Volunteers.

With flexibility and patience, our volunteers give Bridge and our clients their valuable time, skills, and often, their treasures, too.

Bridge would not be able to welcome and serve refugees to help them preserve their Dignity, Hope, and Opportunity without our volunteers' selfless service.

Today, from our Knoxville branch, we would like to introduce you to one of our valued and dedicated volunteers, Stella Ashong.

1. How long have you been volunteering with Bridge?

I have been volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services since September 2025.

2. What inspired you to start volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services?

I was inspired to volunteer with Bridge Refugee Services because of my academic training in sociology (criminology), which has shaped my interest in issues of migration, social justice, community integration and how social structures, inequality, and institutional processes affect marginalized populations, including those navigating displacement and resettlement. As a sociologist, I am particularly interested in how individuals and families rebuild their lives and adapt to new social environments after experiencing disruption. Bridge’s mission strongly resonates with both my scholarly interest and my personal commitment to service, and I saw volunteering as an opportunity to apply my academic knowledge in a meaningful way while also learning from the lived experiences of refugee communities.

3. What are some of the volunteer activities you’ve been involved in, and could you share a favorite memory or moment from your time with us?

During my time volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services, I have contributed to both administrative and direct service efforts, including assisting with data processing and recovery, organizing donated supplies and participating in food rescue initiatives by collecting surplus food from local restaurants and grocery stores for distribution to refugee families. These activities closely connect to my major in Sociology, particularly my focus on social inequality, institutional processes, and community reintegration. My work in criminology emphasizes how structural systems shape access to resources and inclusion, and volunteering with Bridge has allowed me to engage these issues in a practical context—supporting populations who often face marginalization and systemic barriers. One of my most meaningful experiences was participating in food rescue and distribution to families, given that these efforts had an immediate impact on their well-being, bringing relief and a sense of care to newly arrived families. This reinforced my understanding that addressing social harm and promoting stability—central concerns in criminology—often begins with meeting basic needs and fostering supportive community networks.

4. What is something you’ve learned about yourself, our local community, or the world while volunteering with Bridge?

Volunteering with Bridge has deepened my appreciation for resilience and the strength of individuals facing displacement. I have learned that integration is a complex process shaped not only by structural factors but also by everyday interactions and community support.

On a personal level, I have become more aware of the importance of patience, cultural humility, and active listening. I have also gained a deeper understanding of how local communities can play a vital role in fostering inclusion and belonging. This experience has reinforced my belief that meaningful social change happens not only through policy but also through relationships and shared humanity.

During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to recognize, thank, and honor all of our dedicated Bridge Volunteers.

With flexibility and patience, our volunteers give Bridge and our clients their valuable time, skills, and often, their treasures, too.

Bridge would not be able to welcome and serve refugees to help them preserve their Dignity, Hope, and Opportunity without our volunteers' selfless service.

Today, from our Chattanooga branch, we would like to introduce you to one of our valued and dedicated volunteers, Joshua Morgan.

1. How long have you been volunteering with Bridge?

I've been a mentor with Bridge since November 4, 2025.

2. What inspired you to start volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services?

My motivation was the opportunity to use the privileges I was born with (i.e., native English-language proficiency and U.S. cultural capital) to help others acclimate to their new circumstances.

3. What are some of the volunteer activities you’ve been involved in, and could you share a favorite memory or moment from your time with us?

As a youth mentor, I have enjoyed getting to know my mentee's interest. Getting to know her CliftonStrengths was informative because we both have the "Learner" talent in common in our top five results. Additionally, observing her comedic expressions as we read a fantasy comic book together has been hilariously memorable.

4. What is something you’ve learned about yourself, our local community, or the world while volunteering with Bridge?

Through mentoring, I've learned that I can problem solve through language barriers better than I initially thought — especially when I have a patient and inquisitive mentee collaborating with me. I've also noticed that Bridge is a unifying force for good in the Greater Chattanooga area; I've met several university employees and students who've been volunteering with Bridge for quite some time!

During Volunteer Appreciation Week, we want to recognize, thank, and honor all of our dedicated Bridge Volunteers.

With flexibility and patience, our volunteers give Bridge and our clients their valuable time, skills, and often, their treasures, too.

Bridge would not be able to welcome and serve refugees to help them preserve their Dignity, Hope, and Opportunity without our volunteers' selfless service.

Today, from our Chattanooga branch, we would like to introduce you to one of our valued and dedicated volunteers, Sydney Roberts.

1. How long have you been volunteering with Bridge?

I started volunteering with Bridge in December 2024

2. What inspired you to start volunteering with Bridge Refugee Services?

I had heard about the work Bridge did for years but I wanted to be a part of that work after the 2024 elections. Our country is built on the aspirations of immigrants. I wanted to be a part of the welcoming party.

3. What are some of the volunteer activities you’ve been involved in, and could you share a favorite memory or moment from your time with us?

I am part of a support circle for a specific family. I am happy to receive all the hugs and witness the strength and growth of this family in our community. Also, I get to practice my Spanish. Last Halloween, I invited my teenaged client to Lake Winnie for her birthday. She chose to ask her 4 year old sister to join us rather than a school chum. We had so much fun and I could see how much love was there even when things were difficult.

4. What is something you’ve learned about yourself, our local community, or the world while volunteering with Bridge?

I appreciate those who believe that our country is better for its diversity. I feel like I am making a difference that is important to me.