Every morning, news sites and social media are filled with stories about the worsening crisis facing migrants in Europe— of the 350,000 to have reached Europe’s shores from north Africa and the Middle East this year, tens of thousands are stranded at border camps waiting for applications for asylum, while others attempt to find shelter and food in cities and towns across the continent. Some 3,500 have died in the attempt to seek refuge from poverty, or unrest. While governments debate how best to tackle the desperate conditions facing displaced people in Europe, here are a few things you can do to help: 1. Donate money There are a number of organizations that you can donate to. Médecins Sans Frontières and UNICEF are both helping the refugees, along with other well-established organizations like Save the Children and the Red Cross. There are other groups working specifically for this crisis. Migrant Offshore Aid Station sends rescue boats to migrants at risk of drowning, and theAylan Kurdi Fund was established after a photo of a drowned 3-year-old boy went viral. Or you can donate to more grassroots efforts, including two set up to help migrants seeking entrance to the U.K. camped out at the French coastal town of Calais: Glasgow Solidarity with Calais Migrants or Association Salam, where individuals are crowdfunding to drive to Calais with supplies. 2. Donate supplies You can also donate things other than money. Amazon has a registry for supplies to buy for refugees in Calais. Refugees Welcome is a kind of “Airbnb for refugees” where people can share their homes with the migrants. Some organizations are looking for very specific types of donations – The Jungle Library is a makeshift library set up at the migrant camp in Calais, and it’s looking for books. Music Against Borders is seeking musical instruments for the camp at Calais. Or — if you live nearby — you can donate whatever you have by going to one of the drop-off sites organized by Calais People to People Solidarity or Calais Action. 3. Lobby the government There are numerous petitions you can sign calling for European governments to accept more migrants, or you can lobby the government yourself. Avaaz.org is looking for volunteers in Europe to lobby their local legislatures to increase the number of refugees housed in their area.  

Our very own Melinda Johnson - the Executive Director of Fight The Fear Campaign has been featured in the "someone you should know" column on parentmap.com. Click here to read her compelling interview! Congratulations Melinda! - Fight The Fear Campaign Team

Fight the Fear Campaign and Seattle Kajukenbo are offering a free training in awareness, de-escalation, boundary setting, assertive communication, grab releases and fighting techniques – as well as access to resources for survivors of violence or abuse. Free Self Defense Workshop open to women & girls age 16 + Date: August 23rd Time: 10 - noon Location:  Seattle Kajukenbo 1408 22nd Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Register by email:  [email protected] Check us out at: Fight The Fear Campaign EMPOWER YOURSELF Because You're Worth Defending

We are offering free Self-Defense workshops for Teen Girls* Classes for girls ages 15+ are for those who: ⁃ are learning to drive (or are in cars driven by their friends) ⁃ beginning to date (or their friends are beginning to date) ⁃ can travel independently ⁃ work at part-time or seasonal jobs ⁃ her main safety concerns are shifting to injury by car accidents, or being pressured into unwanted sexual activity Date: August 20, Thursday, 10 am - 1 pm Location: The Feminist Karate Union, located at 1426 South Jackson Street, 3rd floor, Seattle WA 98144 Email [email protected] to register. Pre-registration is required. *Inclusive to transgender, non-binary, gender-fluid, or who identify in any way as female.

Fight the Fear Campaign and Seattle Kajukenbo are offering a free training in awareness, de-escalation, boundary setting, assertive communication, grab releases and fighting techniques – as well as access to resources for survivors of violence or abuse. Free Self Defense Workshop open to women & girls age 16 + Date: August 23rd Time: 10 - noon Location:  Seattle Kajukenbo 1408 22nd Ave Seattle, WA 98122 Register by email:  [email protected] Check us out at: Fight The Fear Campaign EMPOWER YOURSELF Because You're Worth Defending

We are offering free Self-Defense workshops for LGBTQ & Teens Classes for LGBTQ & Teens ages 14+ Date: August 16th,  1 – 4 pm Location: The Feminist Karate Union, located at 1426 South Jackson Street, 3rd floor, Seattle WA 98144 Email [email protected] to register. Pre-registration is required.

Class: Wednesday Aug 12: 2 - 3:30 pm for kids ages 5-8 (Grades K-3) Location: The Feminist Karate Union, located at 1426 South Jackson Street, 3rd floor, Seattle WA 98144 Class description: Keep the magic of childhood safe in this low-key, friendly and age-appropriate class for girls and boys. Learn about risks facing your kids, how to frame the discussion with children, and recognizing when someone may be targeting your family. Children will practice the 'five fingers' approach: think, yell, get free, run, and tell. In the first part of class your child will practice some basic safety rules and skills in a safe and non-scary way.  The second part of class is geared towards parent education: we will look at tactics that child molesters use to gain access to children through parents, and community resources available for your safety needs. Parents learn tools to continue the conversation, as well as to sort through all the information and misinformation on keeping their children safe. A parent must attend with their child(ren).  Both parents are also welcome. Sign up by emailing mailto:[email protected]

Join Brandi Carlile and Jennifer Hopper as we Raise Our Voice for The Fight The Fear Campaign and The Angel Band Project. This Friday, Aug 21st with the @SeattleStorm. Click here for tickets to this very special fundraising event. Break The Silence! - Fight The Fear Campaign Team

Thank you to Impact Chicago for hosting our first ever Fight The Fear free self-defense workshop in Chicago today! Thank you to all those who showed up. Fight The Fear. Because You're Worth Defending.