Asylum seekers, asylees, and refugees who escaped the blight of their countries, come to America in hopes of a better life but, sadly experience more persecution by many. Yet, through the persecution, some find their way to individuals much like Asylee Womens Enterprise (AWE). With the change coming to the AWE website, the main focus should be on the stories of the volunteers with supplemental pictures relating to the stories they tell. The intended audience of the website should focus on those who are looking to get involved and either help or donate. By the main focus of the new site honing in on the touching story of those individuals, this approach will not only light a fire in those who are contemplating donating, but will call those individuals to action by their transformational stories of how touching working with the individuals at AWE. Many successful websites like refugues.org dedicate a large portion of their site to the transformational stories of those whom they have helped. Refuge.org takes this approach though layering the webpage with photo links that allow you to not only to read the stories but to see the individuals who the stories are related (Refugee.org). By taking this approach, AWE can use videos and testimonials of these volunteers and workers and turn them into a direct connection with the viewer. Testimonials from staff will show individuals how transformational donations and working in AWE can be. By taking this approach, the intended audience, those who are trying to be recruited for donations or volunteering, they will feel a kind of personal attachment to those in who AWE are helping. Connecting individuals on this technological level allows a connection to be formed immediately and creates as deeper passion. We can ask Tiffany to send over testimonials and interview videos for us to edit and format. Potential questions can range from “How has working at AWE changed your perspective on Asylees?”, “Expand upon your most emotional experience you have had through AWE?”, and other related questions.
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. Refugees.org, n.d. Web. 15 Mar. 2017.
You have an interesting idea. I like the idea of going and getting stories of volunteers and workers to make the foundation seem more connected to the community.
Your idea for testimonials can have large impact on anyone looking to assist or donate. I think there’s a difference between seeing a procured photo of someone in a particular pose and hearing the story straight from their mouth. It’s a more honest approach.
A testimonials page is a really good idea. As I think Tiffany Nelms touched upon though, it would be really important not to bring up painful memories and to keep the information available to the public positive. Protecting identities may be needed as well so the testimonials may need to be anonymous.
The questions you proposed are my favorite part of this idea. This will really create a strong connection between the potential donors and the asylees.
I like the idea and cannot wait to see it all flushed out! My only question is will it be interactive. The Heifer project is so interactive I would love to see the information be presented in an interactive and fun way. Also I think the color choice to help contrast the pictures will be important. Lastly interviews will be a great way to break up the site.