In 2010, PARSA Community Foundation awarded Organization for Refuge, Asylum, & Migration (ORAM) a $100,000 grant. ORAM, founded in 2008, is the only international organization devoted solely to advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) refugees fleeing brutalization due to sexual orientation or gender identity.
ORAM has formed an official partnership with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) to coordinate international action protect LGBTI refugees. ORAM trains non-governmental organizations and the UNCHR to better protect LGBTI refugees. In addition to their work with UNCHR, ORAM assists in resettling vulnerable members of the LGBTI community to San Francisco. The refugees who are resettled in the U.S. receive a stipends for eight months to help with their relocation. After eight months the financial support ceases.
Earlier this year, as ORAM celebrated their 5th year, they announced that their offices will be leaving San Francisco for Washington, D.C. and Geneva. The move will help ORAM's voice to be heard "most strongly where it is most needed," explains ORAM Founder Neil Grungras.