Posts by chicagoland
I Was No Longer Safe in My Country: Yomardy’s Story of Seeking Asylum
Yomardy never imagined what would happen to her during a trip to the U.S. as a Fulbright Scholar from Venezuela – particularly a situation that would force her to seek asylum.
Read MoreNews from H.O.M.E.: Serving Asylum Seekers
Early in 2022, we featured a post by Hannah Thompson, World Relief Chicagoland’s Immigrant Family Services Volunteer Coordinator who works with the staff and community volunteers who serve asylum seekers through the H.O.M.E. Program. Now, Hannah is back, sharing what has changed since January. First, what is the H.O.M.E. Program? World Relief Chicagoland created the…
Read MoreHow to Have Impact as a Volunteer Tutor
The volunteer tutors at World Relief have a superpower: they know how to bring out the unique gifts of each student to help them grow. Here’s one tutor used a child’s passion to overcome his fears so he could flourish.
Read MoreSummer Camp: Fun, Fellowship and First Responders
World Relief’s summer camp gives its cross-cultural campers a chance to create friendships, build skills and experience an American tradition they’ll never forget. Check out our scrapbook of these special moments that impacted the lives of both campers and volunteers.
Read MoreHow Refugee Children Reshape Resettlement for Their Families
It’s easy to overlook the unique role refugee children have in the resettlement process. Yet the part they play not only impacts how quickly their family can adapt to life in the U.S. It also can determine how successfully they fully integrate.
Read MoreA Common Roadblock to Citizenship: Carlos’ Story
The day Carlos went into the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to renew his driver’s license nearly cost him everything he struggled for on his path to U.S. citizenship.
Read More5 Ways to Keep Welcoming Afghans
In August 2021, the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan, and Kabul fell to the Taliban. Many Afghans who had assisted the U.S. government were left at considerable risk. Since the withdrawal, an estimated 84,600 Afghans have been evacuated to the U.S. Over the last year, people like you have helped us welcome over 330 of…
Read MoreEveryday Advocacy: Simple Actions That Lead to Justice
Many define advocacy as acting, speaking, or writing in support of something or someone; often with those in a position to make change – or as we shared in last week’s blog – advocacy is “putting love into action.” But beyond public advocacy, calling our political representatives, we can practice everyday advocacy: using our voices…
Read MoreHow You Can Take Action for Refugees and Immigrants in Chicago
Though news channels and social media might fixate on issues on the national stage, one of the most important ways you can support your immigrant and refugee neighbors is by advocating for them on the local level. Advocating for action in your own community is one of the best ways to make a difference for…
Read MoreBecoming a US Citizen Removes a Barrier to Justice.
Celebrating the 4th of July for a naturalized citizen can have a different flavor. It is an indescribable feeling of pride, freedom, and belonging. A naturalized citizen is a person with legal permanent resident status, who has made the choice to become a US citizen. Specifically, he or she has fulfilled the requirements established by…
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