Posts Tagged ‘Chicagoland’
Starting School in a New Country: The Journey of Refugee and Immigrant Students
For the more than 100,000 estimated refugee and displaced children in the nation, a new school year isn’t just the start of a new grade. It’s a chance to reclaim stability, rebuild routine and rediscover hope.
Read MoreFaith in a New Land: A Story of Immigration, Belonging, and the Local Church
Discover Kimmy’s journey from Vietnam to Chicagoland—a story of immigration, faith, and leadership in the hearts of two welcoming local churches.
Food, Language, Dignity: A Call to Action for Our Community
Piece written by Stephanie Clark, Director of Strategic Engagement Lately, each day feels a bit heavier. I open my news apps not with anticipation, but with a quiet dread—because I already know what I’ll see. Another policy shift that reshapes lives. Another plea for humanitarian aid that goes unanswered. And most devastating of all: natural…
Read MoreAfter 14 Years Apart, a Refugee Family Finds Home Again
In 2011, violence and conflict in South Asia separated Sankar from his family. Forced to flee, he spent six years in a neighboring country, unable to reunite with his loved ones. His children, Ganesh and Parmita, were just eight and ten years old. In 2017, Sankar arrived in the U.S. through the refugee resettlement program.…
Read MoreBeyond the Camp: A Refugee Family’s Journey from Burma to the Chicago Suburbs
At their modest townhouse in the Chicago suburbs, Too Too and her husband Poe Wah look through pictures from over 25 years ago. These are not the kind of images that fill what many think of as a typical family album. One picture stands out. It shows two men sweeping an outdoor concrete patio. A…
Read MoreFrom Survival to Strength: Refugees Finding Their Place in the Workforce
This blog is a guest blog written by World Relief Chicagoland Employment Specialist, Barb Galli Watching a young Eritrean mother stride confidently into work three weeks after starting her first job reminded me why I do what I do at World Relief. It was her first day of work and I was dropping her off…
Read MoreMoved to Welcome: How Our Church Walked, Biked, and Ran for Refugees
This blog is a guest blog written by volunteer Heather Ipema A mom walks her children to school instead of driving. Two men embark on a 20-mile bike ride. A husband and wife go for a run together after work. What do all of these seemingly disconnected movements have in common? They were intentional and…
Read MoreBuilding a Future Through English: Fedir’s Story
Fedir and his wife arrived in the U.S. two years and five months ago, seeking safety and stability after fleeing the war in Ukraine. Back home, Fedir had built a successful career as an engineer at a large enterpirse. Now, in the U.S., he is rebuilding his life, and learning English is a critical step…
Read MoreWelcoming Refugees Starts with You: Walk with someone like Khin Lay
Imagine spending over 15 years in a country that doesn’t legally recognize you. This is the reality for countless refugees around the world, including those in Malaysia, where Khin Lay fled to escape conflict in her home country of Myanmar. Now, after nearly a year in the US, she and her family are building their…
Read More5 Times the Church Advocated for Refugees and Immigrants in U.S. History
Throughout history, the church has consistently spoken up about the needs of those facing persecution and suffering. Here are five times in U.S. history when the church advocated for refugees and immigrants.
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