You’ve seen the images in the news — women, men and children fleeing conflict, disasters and extreme poverty just to survive. Families setting out on impossible journeys in search of safety and a brighter future.
Families like Maryolga’s. Late December, 2024, Maryolga arrived at World Relief’s Chicagoland office through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, seeking safety and a fresh start. She had traveled with her 15-year-old daughter and elderly mother, reuniting with her 19-year-old son who was already in the U.S.
Their journey reflects a broader exodus. Millions of refugees and migrants have left Venezuela due to political unrest, socio-economic instability and the resulting humanitarian crisis, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration. The UN Refugee Agency observed that the number had surpassed 7.7 million by May 2024.
“When we went from Venezuela to Colombia,” said Maryolga, “we were out in the open air, with practically nothing.” She left home during her third year of law school. In Colombia, she spent eight years working as a motorcycle delivery driver, doing what she could to get by.
A Fresh Start, But New Challenges
Thankfully, Maryolga got the chance so many hope for: resettlement in the U.S. She arrived in Chicago during winter but she felt the warmth of welcome as partners and volunteers helped set up her apartment. Having a roof over her family’s heads, a bed to sleep in and food on the table was, as Maryolga puts it, a “super mega positive” thing.
But some of the challenges in the U.S. soon became clear. Policies affecting refugees and other immigrants changed rapidly in challenging ways. For example, the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) with the 2023 designation was terminated, as noted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which impacted a number of Venezuelans in the country. While Maryolga arrived through the refugee program, which, unlike TPS, provides permanent resident status and a path to citizenship, she was impacted when the government suspended initial support for newly-arrived refugees just a month after she landed.
Thanks to the support of compassionate people like you, newly-arrived refugees like Maryolga whom World Relief serves in the U.S. received access to the shelter, food and transportation they need, and could still begin rebuilding their lives.
For these refugees, and many more, the journey to belonging has just begun.
Building a Future, One Step at a Time
With support from people like you and care from World Relief, Maryolga and her family are stepping into their futures. They are rebuilding their lives, have gained employment and are navigating this new culture while integrating into their community.
“My son works part-time as a locksmith,” said Maryolga. “I’m applying for a job at Culver’s right now. When my daughter turns 16, she’ll look for a job too. God willing, we hope to get some stability.”
As they work toward stability, the politically charged environment in the U.S. creates another challenge — one she responds to with an invitation to her neighbors.
“I’d like my American neighbors to know that not all of us are the same,” said Maryolga. “I’m aware there are some people of my nationality who’ve come here and done bad things. But there are people who come here to fight for a better future for themselves and their families. We shouldn’t all be put in the same package … Instead, take the time to get to know us,” she said.
How You Can Help
Maryolga’s story is just one of thousands of refugees rebuilding their lives in the U.S. Even as federal policies and provisions change, World Relief is committed to equipping them and other refugees and immigrants to thrive in their new home.
The recent cuts to federal funding increase the urgency for the church — people like you — to step into the gap and provide for families in crisis in the U.S. and around the world. And the most impactful way to stand in the gap with us is through a monthly gift, which will provide real stability for families in need.
Will you join The Path, our powerful, united community of monthly givers who are committed to walking alongside families in crisis and on the move?
In the U.S., we’re committed to providing long-term community integration for families like Maryolga’s through:
- Adult Education Programs that equip individuals with the English language and cultural skills for work, life and community.
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Tutoring that strengthens proficiency and supports English language learning.
- Church and Community Engagement that fosters belonging, provides psychosocial support and maximizes community assets.
- Fast-Track Employment Programs that help individuals secure stable jobs quickly and address labor market shortages.
- Job Upskilling Initiatives that open doors to higher-wage, meaningful employment and meet industry demands for specialized skills.
- Employment Mentorship Programs that foster professional development, network and career exploration with trusted career industry mentors.
- Immigration Legal Services that support a pathway to citizenship.
These aren’t just services — they are pathways to flourishing lives. And none of this happens without the church, which is at the heart of this work, walking alongside refugees and immigrants as they rebuild their lives.
This is a pivotal moment. Refugee families and others who have been forced to flee their homes urgently need help. Now more than ever, we need a movement of the church to rise up and walk with the orphan, the widow and the stranger. There is much work to be done — but together, we can still accomplish it.
Will You Join Us?