Chicagoland
A Reflection During Volunteer Appreciation Month
Along with the coming of spring and the celebration of Easter, April is when World Relief celebrates National Volunteer Appreciation week. A week when we recognize the profound impact of volunteers and the lasting change they bring to our communities.
Read MoreFinally, I’m Home: Raphael’s Story of 8 Years Waiting for Resettlement
Watch Raphael tell his story of waiting for resettlement and joyfully coming to the United States after eight years.
Read MoreCozy Recipes for Winter from 5 Different Cultures
It’s February, and for those of us in Chicago, that means frigid winter temperatures. Winter means brisk walks breathing in the cold winter air and snow days spent bundled up indoors. These cold, dark months feel like the perfect excuse to get cozy. And when I think of cozy, I think of hot drinks. I…
Read MoreWatch this Family Reunite After 9 Years Apart
Why Family Reunification is Needed Can you imagine fleeing your home? And not just leaving behind your community. Becoming separated from your family too. Sadly, the circumstances that push refugees from their homes often separate families. And this creates countless hardships. Sometimes there are tragic consequences. The loss has a lasting emotional impact that affects…
Read MoreWhat Is It Like to Intern with World Relief?
Real Responsibilities, Meaningful Experience Are you looking for an internship where you can gain practical experience? Do you have a passion for justice or a desire to learn about issues faced by refugee and immigrants? From the start, as a World Relief Chicagoland intern, you have real responsibilities. With that comes the opportunity to engage…
Read MoreNew Opportunity in the U.S.: Jenny’s Story
Watch Jenny tell her story of being a refugee with big dreams who came to the U.S. and seized the opportunity of a brighter future.
Read MoreAn Update on How the H.O.M.E. Program Is Serving Asylum Seekers Throughout Chicagoland
The following update is from Hannah Thompson, World Relief Chicagoland’s Immigrant Family Services Volunteer Coordinator who works with staff and community volunteers in the H.O.M.E. program for asylum seekers. What is H.O.M.E.? World Relief Chicagoland created the H.O.M.E. program with the knowledge that asylum seekers are among the most vulnerable immigrants. Like refugees, asylum seekers…
Read MoreAfghan Resettlement Q&A with Executive Director Susan Sperry
As you likely saw in the news, US troops have withdrawn from Afghanistan, leaving many questions as to what happens next. We want to share with you how World Relief Chicagoland is responding and how you can help. To help answer some of these questions, we sat down with Susan Sperry, Executive Director of World…
Read MoreWorld Relief Grieves the Loss of Life at Kabul Airport and Urges Biden Administration to Ensure Continued Safe Evacuation of Vulnerable Afghans, U.S. Citizens and Green Card Holders
August 26, 2021 CONTACT:Lauren Carllauren.carl@pinkston.co703-388-6734 BALTIMORE — Today, August 26, a series of terrorist attacks near Kabul’s airport took the lives of over 60 Afghans and 12 U.S. troops. These attacks were carried out at the site of an ongoing evacuation of vulnerable U.S. citizens, green card holders, and vulnerable Afghans, efforts led by the…
Read MoreI helped U.S. troops in Afghanistan. I’m safe now, but I worry for friends I left behind.
Program participant Seeta Habib and her family were resettled through World Relief Memphis in October 2020 through the special immigrant visa program. She and her husband had served as interpreters and journalists for U.S. forces in their home country, and they were consequently targeted by the Taliban. This is her story. When the Taliban took power…
Read More