Our Mission

Our mission is to provide refugee families with education, help, and resources (food, clothing, furniture, household goods, etc.) that they so desperately need. We are passionate about providing a bright future for refugee children and believe a true education leads to that future. We use philanthropic donations to provide tuition for refugee children to attend private schools where they can obtain the individual attention they require.

How it Began

Kelli Czaykowsky, a Christian living in Atlanta, discovered the plight of Clarkston’s refugees. “The children shared their stories of fleeing for their lives, being separated from their families, watching their homes being burned, and trying to survive in the wild. I couldn’t sleep for three nights. I saw the kids living in gang- and drug-riddled neighborhoods, sleeping on the floors of run-down apartments infested with fleas, rats, and roaches. The burden on my heart was so great, I just had to do something. I prayed, “God, I’m only one person, but if you open the doors for me to make a difference, I’ll walk through them.”

In 2010 Kelli and two close friends founded a nonprofit organization called FREE, which stands for Friends of Refugees Providing Education and Empowerment. Through FREE, Kelli and a group of volunteers provide refugees with the resources to empower them to become self-sufficient, thriving community members. FREE volunteers secure necessities including clothing, furniture, household goods, mattresses, food, appliances, etc. We also provide ESL (English as Second Language) classes for adults and one-on-one tutoring for students plus we offer assistance with job searches, college applications, medical paperwork, and job training. We arrange appointments and transport refugees to their medical, dental, eye, and legal appointments. We paint and repair apartments, plant gardens, mow grass and weeds plus trash clean up in the refugee neighborhoods.

“When I see these kids succeed after being brought up in really tough situations, it makes me feel amazing,” Kelli states. “This is God at work. I’m just a little part of His plan,” says Kelli.

Are you a Relocated foreign family needing aid? We may be able to help.

If you would like more information about how to receive support, please contact Kelli at 404-510-5354 or kelliczaykowsky@freerefugees.org.