On 20 January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order suspending entry of refugees into the United States under the US Refugee Admissions Program with limited exceptions.[1] As a result, several refugee support organizations have lost critical federal grant funds and some have been forced to lay off much of their staff.[2] These developments have affected refugee support organizations across the country and Northeast Florida.[3]
According to the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, Jacksonville has the widest diversity of refugees in the state.[4] Though refugees have historically received federal support for their first 90 days in the US, many refugee families have struggled once those 90 days have expired. Beyond90 was founded to address that need. Since its founding in 2017, Beyond90 has served more than 8,140 refugee families from 63 different countries. And since the beginning of the current fiscal year (10/2024 to current), Beyond90 has already helped 1,016 individuals from 32 countries.[5]
As a member of the BBUUC Social Action Committee noted recently, Barton and Lori, the founders of Beyond90, are personally invested in the success of the organization, as exemplified by their willingness to perform the same physical labor as volunteers. They were also grateful that Beyond90 offers refugee-focused mental health services, which is often hard to find for refugees recovering from trauma and PTSD.[6]
In July 2025, the Social Action Committee organized a collection of school supplies at BBUUC in support of Beyond90’s annual supply drive. BBUUC donors filled 50 backpacks with school supplies for elementary-aged refugee children, who received them at a Beyond90 distribution event where Social Action Committee volunteers led arts and crafts activities with the children. Social Action Committee members also helped Beyond90 prepare their new culturally-sensitive food pantry in August 2025. These actions not only provide for the material needs of families building new lives in the United States, but show them they are welcome and safe in our community.
For more information, visit https://www.beyond90.org/ or contact Kristina at sac@bbuuc.org to find out how you can help with the next Social Action Committee project.
[1] https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/realigning-the-united-states-refugee-admissions-program/
[2] https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/02/24/trump-refugee-program-freeze-leads-to-jacksonville-layoffs-lawsuit/79344952007/
[3] https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/01/28/its-a-punch-in-the-gut-jacksonville-refugee-support-organization-faces-uncertain-future-after-executive-order/
[4] https://www.jaxcf.org/refugee-resettlement/
[5] Lori Chelf, Beyond90 Co-Founder, personal communication 2025
[6] Don DeStephano, BBUUC Social Action Committee member, personal communication 2025