Posts by bcomito
Morella: Venezuelan Hospitality
by Kallie Kohl, World Relief intern Don’t walk in front of me… I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me… I may not lead. Walk beside me… Just be my friend. –Albert Camus At World Relief Spokane, a delicious smell drifting through the offices hints that golden-brown rounds of fried corn dough with melted cheese…
Read MoreBEYOND 90 DAYS: Intensive Case Management
By Cade Hajovsky, Fall Intern What Is Intensive Case Management? Not all newly arrived refugees can become self-sufficient and independent in 90 days. Many immigrants need more support. Through our Integration and Wellness department, World Relief provides case management to those struggling to get established. Case managers help clients navigate the health care system, legal…
Read More5 Things You Should Know About the Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria
Early in the morning on February 6, massive earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria. For many of us who live thousands of miles away from the devastation, it can be hard to imagine the profound scale of loss — and even harder to know how best to respond. And yet, if you’re like us, your faith…
Read MoreOne Year Later: Erika’s Story
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, Erika Symonenko was working as a salesperson for a garage door company. “I went to Germany right after the war started to help some of my family members [who had fled Ukraine].” When she got back, however, she was desperate to do more. Being Part of the…
Read MoreIt’s The Right thing To Do
If each one of us reflects on our own stories, we can see God clearly leading and moving in our lives. As I reflect on my own story, I see that I started out focused solely on myself. But then I met the Holy Spirit, and God became real to me. I made a firm…
Read MoreLeaving Ukraine: The Ochkur Family
The Ochkur Family – Slava, Iryna and three-year-old Olivia – had been working on their immigration to the United States from Ukraine for four years. Slava needed one last stamp on his documents, and then the airline tickets could be issued. They expected to get the call any day. Instead, on February 24, 2022, they…
Read MoreWho Is World Relief Spokane?
World Relief Spokane is a refugee resettlement agency, working in connection with the local community, to create a welcoming space for people fleeing persecution and violence in their countries of origin. The Spokane office was started in 1992 by Linda Unseth, which means 2022 marks 30 years of resettlement work. In those 30 years, more…
Read MoreBashale and Mwambi: One fateful night leads to resettlement in Spokane
Written by Susan Yem In 1994, just one week after Mwambi arrived in her new marital home in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), her life and her future husband’s life changed forever in terrifying and unexpected ways. DRC is the second largest country in Africa. Although it is rich in natural resources like oil, diamonds…
Read MoreWho Is a Refugee? [and why should you care]
Not everyone who immigrates to the United States comes with the same status. While there is some overlap in terminology, following are some general definitions to keep in mind. A migrant is someone who moves from place to place looking to improve their quality of life, through work or education. This is not to say…
Read MoreVolunteer Feature: Janine
“We are all called to live out our faith. Why help the next person? Because that is what God called us to do in the Bible.”- Janine Janine attends Garland Church and first got involved with World Relief through a Good Neighbor Team – a small group that surrounds and supports a family in the…
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