Stories
Celebrating our Employee of the Year for 2021, Kara Hernandez
Read below to learn more about Kara’s journey to World Relief, and how she continues to bless our staff, clients, and community! As we look forward to welcoming more immigrant, refugee, and survivor neighbors in this new year, we still take time to reflect on the hard work of our team from the previous one.…
Read MoreGood For Our Hearts: One woman’s story of hosting Afghan Families
Lauren Peterson never expected to bring in two Afghan refugee families into her East Moline home, but she was more than ready to heed the call when the moment arose. “I was listening to NPR and heard about the evacuations occurring, and I soon started looking up places where I could take up these families.…
Read MoreFrom Myanmar to Multi-Skilled Worker
For anyone transitioning to life in America, it can be quite the culture shock compared to living in your previous country of residence. But for No Niang, relocating to the United States from Myanmar was something that didn’t strike her as shocking compared to her parents or siblings. “Refugees are very cultural,” Niang explains, “They…
Read MoreAn Afghan Neighbor’s Call for Peace
By Adrienne Morton // World Relief Durham had the privilege of welcoming and resettling an Afghan family of seven this past July, providing housing, school enrollment and support for the children, employment services, health care coordination, and other wraparound services that help them begin rebuilding their lives in Durham. Husband and father Shir Khan Shirzad…
Read MoreStreet Outreach in the Quad Cities
Out in the Community De’Andre’s passion is making a difference. As the Street Outreach Coordinator for Christian Care Men’s Shelter covering Rock Island, Henry, and Mercer counties, his personality and understanding of people led him to the community. Most of his time is spent contacting homeless individuals in need of resources. He helps secure housing…
Read MoreFinding Inspiration in Feeding Families
Refugees often rely on produce that is exclusive to their heritage and difficult to find in conventional U.S. grocery stores. Each month, we distribute Burmese and Congolese foods that are familiar and healthy – now, we’re officially adding Afghan foods to the mix. Here’s how one volunteer is making an impact. Life After Graduation A…
Read MoreThe Volunteer and Refugee Friendship Helping Both Reach their Goals
Who are the friends who have changed your life? Who are the people who have changed your life? Are they friends who share your passions? Family members who have known you for years? Coworkers who helped you do challenging projects? We can all attest to how relationships and friends can change everything. That’s why, when…
Read MoreA Working Dream
When Yvette was resettled to Memphis in July, she had one dream: to start working.
Read MoreNew Quad Cities Scholarship for Immigrants and Refugees
A new Quad Cities scholarship fund hopes to mitigate some of the economic challenges faced by new Americans seeking higher education. The fund, to be titled “Quad Cities Scholarship for Immigrants and Refugees,” will be managed by the Community Foundation in partnership with World Relief Quad Cities. It was inspired by Julie Eisenband and Chris…
Read MoreA Cause Greater than Myself
Hello everyone! My name is Brady Johnson and I am very excited to be interning at World Relief Quad Cities. I’m currently a senior at Augustana College studying multimedia journalism and mass communications as well as a minor in communications, and I am originally from Loves Park, Illinois. I was drawn to intern here at…
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