Posts Tagged ‘Chicagoland’
Harsh Immigration Policies Didn’t Stop Them: A Syrian Refugee Family Rebuilds
Zainab arrived in America at the last possible moment, and through grit, faith, and a community that showed up when systems fell away, she and her children began turning survival into stability—and strangers into family.
Read MorePlanting Faith, Sharing Hope: From New Beginnings to Global Impact
One day in 2007, shortly after arriving in Aurora as refugees from Burma, Pastor Manar Chai found his wife standing in the doorway, crying. Though grateful to be in the U.S., the early months were marked by isolation, bitter cold, and long walks to the grocery store without a car or community. “Sometimes it was so hard,” he recalls, “we thought, ‘Just send me back to Burma.’”
Read MoreThe Joy We Seek
From late-night shifts to early-morning classes, my students show what hope in action looks like. Their stories of courage and perseverance remind me that restoration is possible — even in the most unexpected places.
Read MoreThe Hope We Have
As families seek refuge from danger and uncertainty, we have the opportunity to embody Christ’s call to welcome the stranger. Your support sustains this work of hope, healing, and hospitality. Together, we can be the light that guides families forward.
Read MoreOn Earth as It Is in Heaven: A Prayer for Every Tribe and Nation
Each week as I pray “Thy kingdom come,” I’m reminded that God’s vision for His kingdom is vast, growing, and beautifully diverse. My hope is that we would long for—and live toward—a world that reflects heaven’s welcome for every tribe, nation, and tongue.
Read MoreHolding Onto Hope: Farzaneh’s Journey to Safety and Belonging
After the Taliban stripped away her rights and safety, Farzaneh was forced to flee everything she knew. Today, she’s rebuilding her life in Chicagoland with the support of a welcoming community.
Read MoreFear Is Not My Future…God Is
When fear swept through Chicago’s immigrant communities amid rumors of ICE raids, one song echoed with new meaning—“Fear Is Not My Future.” In the midst of panic and uncertainty, this reflection reminds us that fear, sickness, and sorrow don’t have the final word. Hello peace, hello hope—it’s a new horizon.
Read MoreStarting 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…
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