Hope in the Tornado’s Aftermath: Standing with Refugee Families in Wisconsin

by Kalina Davis
Church and Community Engagement Manager

On Monday, July 27, World Relief Wisconsin staff crowded in the basement of the office in Appleton, as an EF-3 tornado tore through a 12.1-mile stretch of the Fox Valley with hardly a warning, leaving behind a path of destruction and tens of thousands of people in shock. 

What followed felt like a blur, as staff called family members and property managers to check on the status of loved ones and homes. As images, videos and news sources revealed the damage caused by the storm, our concern grew for potential impacts to the refugee community. We began to hear of impacted street names where we knew refugee families had been living.  

As our team worked to identify affected refugee families, we learned that several had been displaced due to the tornado’s impact on their homes. Others were without electricity and drinkable water. With recent cuts to SNAP benefits going into effect for refugee families in Wisconsin, losing any amount of food is significant. The needs were great. 

Even in the midst of such loss and chaos, signs of hope began to spring up almost immediately as the surrounding community responded. Many churches in the area stepped up in incredible ways. They offered their building space as temporary shelter for those displaced by the storm. They also collected emergency food and non-food donations, coordinated mobile distributions and offered prayer and care.  

Hope Rising

One example where we witnessed a tangible expression of God’s love was Calvary Bible Church. Our team went to the church to pick up some items to bring to impacted refugee families. We were met by a team of church staff. Volunteers were filled with joy as they helped us gather materials. This was a beautiful picture of God’s people responding to crisis. We are truly grateful for our church partners. 

Additionally, it was amazing to see our community partners quickly come together to support the newcomer community and ensure they know about and have access to resources. Coordinating these efforts with Multicultural Coalition Inc., New Hmong, Hope and Help Together and many others has been an incredible example of this community’s care and intentionality. 

As our team visited families following the storm, we witnessed the great loss and injustice of the situation. Families who already experienced devastating displacement in their own countries are again experiencing disruption to security. And yet, what stood out more after visiting these families was their strength and resilience. After enduring so much, the ability to rise each day to care for families and pursue dreams is truly remarkable.  

Thanks to the support of our community, partners and volunteers, we’ve helped connect families to local resources, distribute emergency essentials, and arranged temporary housing for families in need. 

Grateful Together

We are deeply grateful for the generosity we’ve witnessed and received in the aftermath of the storm. We invite you to continue walking alongside us in this work. Gifts made this month will help us provide critical support to families impacted by the recent tornadoes and continue building communities where immigrants are supported to flourish

We also are accepting Walmart gift cards, which provide families the flexibility to purchase items specific to their needs. 

The road to restoration and healing will be a long one, but we find hope in Jesus’s words in Matthew 11:28 that promise rest in the midst of chaos: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”