The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates the number of refugees in the world to be almost 35 million.
Yes, you read that right: almost 35 million refugees. These are people fleeing from their homeland in the hopes of escaping persecution – religious, political, racial or other. This undoubtedly seems hard to relate to, as our lives are so far removed from situations like these. We rise for work, drink our coffee, do our jobs, then go home to our families – but these people do not have the luxury of such a routine. Every day rings in a new struggle for food, health, care… and we at Catalyst Exhibits want to do something to help.
Through the AREA 3 blog, we hope to show you, the talented designers, how you can make a difference in the lives of people who really need your help. Catalyst Exhibits cofounder Paul Stahlberg got this up and running after realizing he wanted to be a designer with a higher purpose. He and his team of eight designers work with mainly with local contacts in affected areas – allowing for targeted, solution-based projects both overseas and locally. By developing relationships with people on the ground (and bypassing large organizations), AREA 3 is able to find smaller, winnable battles that can be introduced to corporate America for funding. But Paul’s team can only do so much – that’s where you come in.
We will be focusing our efforts on what is needed – ideally, projects 20k or less in budget and six months or less in duration. We need experts at recording, photography, PR, marketing and design to help us build relationships with the right types of companies to ensure we achieve our goals. You can help us package the project as the “up close and personal” story that it is – a story anyone would want to be involved with. But this story could also change your own… there are huge rewards in helping others.
Please check back to learn more about the projects AREA 3 is currently working on. You will see what huge impact a little time, talent and treasure can have on the lives of those less fortunate. Because the displaced need to fed, healthy, educated and self-sufficient – the displaced need to be placed.
Below you can find our “give a damn-o-meter.” Though it’s a given we give a damn about all we do, some things are just off-the-charts important. And because this is the inaugural AREA 3 blog post, it’s pretty damn important. Check it out in each blog post we unveil… we plan on having fun with it, and hope you do too.
Click here to contact us for more information.
