Since buses from Texas carrying over 40,000 migrant women, men and children began arriving in Chicago in August 2022, our Southern Border Arrivals (SBA) team stepped up in a moment of urgent need. Local headlines have faded over time, but the work of showing compassion and hospitality continues. Many anticipate another influx of arrivals in the lead-up to the Democratic National Convention. This post gives you a quick look at who the team serves and how the work they do aligns with our faith-driven mission to engage global crises in partnership with local churches.
Daniela’s Flight
Among the 40,000 people who have arrived are a woman named Daniela, her husband, and their two children with disabilities. Due to conflicts related to Daniela’s work with the police force in Venezuela, the family decided to flee and make the long journey to the US. Her husband had to carry her son much of the way due to his severe disabilities. They crossed rivers in boats and navigated the treacherous jungles of the Darian Gap. Upon reaching the US-Mexico border and crossing in early 2024, they boarded a bus to Chicago, where they would face new challenges…
The Arrival Crisis and the Team
Like Daniela, most individuals the team serves are Venezuelans seeking asylum in the U.S. While the numbers have somewhat decreased for now, with around 5,800 migrants in 17 shelters as of early July, the need for support remains critical. Our SBA team is there, helping people navigate new lives in a foreign land. The team is composed of six case managers, one intern, and Project Manager Nohemi Colin. Last year they served over 1,000 people, working alongside staff at city and state-run shelters, including one in Hyde Park run by New Life Centers. Their work is not just about providing resources; it’s about building trust and offering a warm welcome to those who need it most.
The Role of Case Managers
Case managers play a crucial role during the 3-4 months most people stay in the shelters. They assist with tasks like applying for work permits and completing legal requests such as “Change of Venue” for asylum hearings. They also connect families with essential community resources, including food and clothing banks, job fairs, and legal support. When necessary, they help request extensions to stay in the shelters longer than 60 days and advocate in landlord-tenant situations.
Migrants arriving in Chicago, who have persisted and endured the kind of challenges Daniela faced on her journey, are often overwhelmed with info on arrival. Case managers help them sort out what to do, guiding them through complex processes. This support is crucial for helping migrants establish a sense of stability and security.
Human Connection
At the heart of it all is the importance of trust and human connection. Nohemi emphasizes the significance of good communication and relationship-building.
“Having good communication and relationship and building trust is really important. Because in the short time we have with participants, they can open up and tell us everything that they need, and that’s what we need [in order to support them]. We need honesty and a respectable relationship, so we can set them up really well to continue.”
Small Steps Forward
In Daniela’s situation, our SBA team met her at a local shelter a month after they arrived in the U.S. and helped the family move into a more stable situation.
They spent a total of five months in a north-side shelter. Her son struggled with the light, noise, and crowdedness of the shelter, often acting out and scratching his mom. With the generous gifts of churches and donors, the team provided basic supplies like clothing, diapers, and nail clippers.
They also advocated for the family and guided them in securing medical cards for the kids, which opened resources like immunizations, physical exams, dental care, eye exams, and even a basic phone plan since they had no U.S. phone number. They assisted with bus passes and transportation support as well.
Daniela’s husband persisted and eventually found work. His income, combined with rental support secured by their World Relief caseworker, enabled them to move into their own place.
The road ahead of Daniela and her family is still full of challenges. But her story illustrates remarkable resilience and tenacity. We are so thankful for the opportunity to walk with people like her, providing care, connection, and a lifeline to vital resources that help lay a foundation of safety, stability and belonging.
*Name changed for privacy
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