World Relief Spokane has been welcoming refugees to the community for over 30 years, empowering refugees and other immigrants to find hope and rebuild their lives.
In January 2025, an executive order suspended all refugee arrivals. This announcement changed our work overnight and brought new unknowns. Yet when the mission is to serve, the work is never over.
Our staff, volunteers, and community partners continued to walk alongside refugees and other immigrants already here, insistent that Spokane would remain not only a place of welcome, but a place of true belonging.
As we look back on the year, we also look at how this moment changed us. How did World Relief Spokane respond to such impactful news? To answer that question, each of our five office directors from 2025 reflected on the year, sharing how the year impacted their departments.
Christi Armstrong, Executive Director
Office Director Christi Armstrong oversees the World Relief Spokane office. As she reflects on 2025 she describes the year with one defining word: “challenge.”
World Relief Spokane had to pivot from existing and established programs with consistent sources of funding to new funding for essentials like food and housing. On top of the changing work and structure, the community believed that the office was closing it’s doors for good. Christi knew that up against these challenges, perspective is everything.
“Leaders in a faith based Christian ministry cannot focus on circumstances. They must focus on the road ahead, looking for new opportunities and keeping the people who are following focused on what is possible.”
“Leaders in a faith based Christian ministry cannot focus on circumstances. They must focus on the road ahead, looking for new opportunities and keeping the people who are following focused on what is possible.” Throughout a year filled with unknowns, she made it her mission to encourage both staff and the community.
“Leaders must keep people watching for the places where God shows up and does what man cannot,” she says. “He will always come through as His people seek His will and trust His goodness.” Leaning into the faith that World Relief was built upon became the fuel that carried the organization forward.
While 2025 brought significant challenges, it also became a year of growth and innovation. World Relief Spokane launched youth-focused programs such as the BMX initiative, expanded educational offerings, and built new partnerships with churches and community organizations. These changes strengthened the organization and positioned it for continued impact in the years ahead.
Andrea Simpson, Director of Integration and Wellness Services
The halt of incoming refugees provided the team with bandwidth to invest deeper into the refugees in Spokane. Instead of simply being a place of welcome, World Relief Spokane was able to become a place where belonging could take root.
Andrea’s team lead the charge as they provided services and events that allowed clients to deepen their skills and their community. But they couldn’t do this alone. “I witnessed a great response on behalf of the church and community in Spokane.” Andrea says, “many went on to support families through helping with or putting on events and classes designed to build a sense of belonging amongst the refugee communities.”
“I witnessed a great response on behalf of the church and community in Spokane.”
Andrea’s team lead the charge as they provided services and events that allowed clients to deepen their skills and their community. But they couldn’t do this alone. “I witnessed a great response on behalf of the church and community in Spokane.” Andrea says, “many went on to support families through helping with or putting on events and classes designed to build a sense of belonging amongst the refugee communities.”
Baby showers, kayaking trips, BMX programs, computer classes, sewing classes and cultural celebrations are just a few examples of the opportunities provided to clients throughout the year.
These newly founded programs are what pave the way for the work ahead in 2026. “Partnering with the community to build belonging is the greatest opportunity for growth.” Andrea says, “Leaning into the many partnerships and listening well to the community and clients are a key to growing in the right direction.”
Though 2025 brought many challenges Andrea points to her foundation that made her work possible. “I’m convinced that God is faithful, loves the newcomers living among us, and that he will always provide a way forward.”
Jared Booker, Director of Economic Empowerment
“Our mission is to boldly engage the world’s greatest crises in partnership with the church. This last year, the crises hit closer to home due to many policy changes that directly affected our refugee and immigrant friends.”
The Economic Empowerment team works to find refugees employment within the community. Through job placement, workplace education, financial literacy training, and ongoing career counseling, the Economic Empowerment team helps integrate refugees into the U.S. workforce and take steps toward long-term stability.
With a limited number of new arrivals, departmental funding was impacted, resulting in a 25% reduction in staffing to the Economic Empowerment team. Despite these challenges, Booker noticed a change within his team. “The quality of services provided and the passion to advocate and empower our clients grew exponentially.” Jared says, “I am floored daily by my team’s commitment and grit.”
Booker’s team proved this commitment to their work, ending 2025 having placed 212 clients in jobs.
As Jared looks ahead to 2026, he is hopeful for the ways the Economic Empowerment program can grow. “We are working on a framework that would allow us to not have to rely on the US government for funding and engage with our community to serve more people than ever before.”
Joel Arriaga, Church and Community Engagement Director
Joel Arriaga, former Resettlement Director, faced immediate challenge in 2025 as the resettlement department was forced to shut down. Nearly his entire team was laid off, and his own role was no longer needed. As a result, Joel transitioned into a new position as Church and Community Engagement Director.
Reflecting on his leadership during this time, Joel shared, “I was reminded that trust, humility, and clear communication matter even more when things feel uncertain.”
The transition demanded flexibility; not only from Joel, but from the entire organization. He observed growth across the team as roles shifted, and new ways of working emerged.
“Our team grew in adaptability and collaboration,” Joel said. “We learned how to pivot, communicate better, and work more closely together across roles. I saw people step into greater ownership of their work while staying grounded in our values and purpose.”
As he looks ahead, Joel carries lessons shaped by 2025. “One key lesson I’m taking into 2026 is the importance of building systems that are both flexible and sustainable,” he shared. “Staying mission-focused while adapting wisely will continue to be a priority.”
Haitham Dawoud, Admin and Finance Director
Haitham oversees the financial operations of the office, and in 2025 he navigated one of the most unique fiscal years in World Relief Spokane’s history. Over 60% of the office’s funding was lost as refugee resettlement closed, bringing an end to many government grants, private grants, and foundation funding streams that had previously sustained the organization.
Although federal funding was cut, the Spokane community stepped up, resulting in one of the highest local fundraising years in World Relief Spokane’s history. As funding shifts reshaped the office, the community proved its willingness to rise to the occasion to continue to make Spokane a place of belonging.
Haitham saw that same resilience reflected within his team. “What stands out to me in 2025, when the year became more challenging, was the unity and determination to serve those who are here, who we dearly love and care for,” he shared. “The more challenged we are, the more determined we become to keep going and to grow.”
“What stands out to me in 2025, when the year became more challenging, was the unity and determination to serve those who are here, who we dearly love and care for,”
As the year unfolded, adaptability became essential. Reflecting on his team’s response, Haitham noted, “Pivoting is a tactic our team is very strong at,” highlighting the flexibility and resolve that carried the office through an unprecedented season.
As we close this reflection on 2025, one thing is abundantly clear: World Relief Spokane did not walk through this year alone. The resilience of employees, dedication of volunteers, support from churches, and care from directors continues the work of World Relief in the community.
The year of great challenge also proved to be a year of great triumph, as we continued to serve the Refugees in Spokane alongside our community.