School clubs are coming together to respond to international crises.

Refugee Club and SCAN Club started the school year by calling Illinois’ two U.S. senators, Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, on Sept. 29 to protest a bill which would reduce the number of refugees allowed to enter the United States this year.

Club President Olivia Issa said that a key part of the club’s mission this year is to educate themselves on the current situations that refugees face. 

“During meetings, we are focusing on educating ourselves on major refugee crises like Rohingya, South Sudan, Somalia and Syria through research projects, discussions and a video series,” Olivia said. “The goal is mainly to focus on why we care — it’s not too hard to go through the motions of charity work. If that giving doesn’t come from a sense of humanity and equality, but rather a desire to look good or selfless, are you really giving in the first place?”

Students also came together to aid in disaster relief for the earthquake and hurricane in Mexico.

“We created an online fundraiser to contribute to Save the Children in order to focus our efforts. Our group’s goal is to bring our school community together by fundraising $5,000 to support Save the Children in order to focus our efforts,” Roshni Padhi, a junior, said.