Building Peaceful Bridges

Building Peaceful Bridges is a nonprofit organization based in the United States, dedicated to fostering multicultural relationships by assisting in the integration of refugees into American society. It aims to educate communities on the challenges facing refugee populations through their stories, promoting understanding and support.

History and Founding

The organization was founded in 2014 by two women, Ahlam Mahmood and Lori Lucchetti, who came together to inspire positive actions and peaceful resolutions. Ahlam Mahmood, who fled war-torn Iraq, resettled in Chicago with her family and became involved with Lucchetti's interfaith gatherings. These meetings laid the groundwork for Building Peaceful Bridges, focusing on creating bridges of mutual respect and compassion.

Mission

Building Peaceful Bridges is committed to helping refugees integrate into American culture. It achieves this through financial and non-cash donations, family sponsorship, mentorship, and partnerships with other organizations. The organization also hosts cultural and educational events to raise awareness about the challenges refugees face during resettlement.

Activities and Programs

• Refugee Integration Support: The organization provides essential services such as rent assistance, food support, and basic necessities to help refugees settle into their new homes.
• Mentoring and Sponsorship: Volunteers engage with refugee families through regular meetings, assist with English language studies, and help prepare them for citizenship.
• Cultural Educational Events: Building Peaceful Bridges organizes monthly luncheons where communities can meet refugees and hear their stories firsthand, fostering a deeper understanding and acceptance of newcomer populations.
• Financial Support: The organization relies on donations to fund its programs, with a significant percentage going directly to support refugee families.

Impact and Recognition

Building Peaceful Bridges has seen notable success, including exceeding fundraising goals for emergency response campaigns. The organization is recognized as a 501(c)(3) entity, ensuring that donations are tax-deductible.

Leadership and Values

The leadership includes key figures such as Lori C. Lucchetti and Ahlam Mahmood, who are central to the organization's mission and operations. Building Peaceful Bridges emphasizes core values such as compassion, hope, integrity, inclusiveness, and respect, which form the foundation of its work with refugee communities.