In a city in Washington state, refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Syria work at a candle business founded by members of a local church. The venture provides jobs for displaced individuals facing barriers like language skills and age. A regional aid organization assisted with housing and support, while the church community offered friendship and English classes. This initiative emerged after the founders struggled to secure traditional employment for refugees. The business helps refugees rebuild their lives in the US amid broader challenges, including recent funding cuts for new arrivals. The project highlights local community support for global displacement crises.
World Relief Wisconsin partnered with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to host a Refugee Simulation during its Social Work Field Day. Joshua Potter-Efron, an associate professor, invited the organization to lead exercises designed to help students understand the hardships and barriers faced by displaced families. The event included a Loss Simulation and a Refugee ALICE Simulation, developed with United Way and Catholic Charities. Additionally, World Relief staff engaged with students at an intern fair and attended a seminar on immigration policy. The outlet reports that the initiative aims to build cultural humility and compassion among future social work professionals.
Khaled, a refugee who arrived in Memphis, Tennessee, in May 2024 with his family, has opened his own restaurant. Resettled by World Relief Memphis, he faced limited job opportunities due to language barriers. To achieve his entrepreneurial dream, he worked in local Middle Eastern restaurants for two years to gain industry experience. With community support, he launched his business last September. Khaled expressed gratitude by donating baked goods to World Relief Memphis and participating in local festivals. His story highlights the challenges immigrants face and the importance of community assistance in building a new life in the United States.
World Relief Modesto hosted a summer program for 19 Afghan youth aged 13 to 17 in Modesto, California. The initiative, held at Hope Commons, aimed to help participants build connections and explore future opportunities. Activities included university tours, skill-building workshops, and community service projects. The program provided a supportive environment for students like Mariam, who faced challenges adjusting to school life without interpreters. Staff and volunteers facilitated these experiences to foster confidence and belonging. The organization states that such community efforts help young refugees navigate new environments and imagine their potential futures.
A refugee from Myanmar now resides in a city in the United States. After fleeing conflict, she volunteers with a local aid organization. She coordinates a program helping newly arrived children and parents navigate the American school system. Her work supports students in a local school district with language and academic skills. Although she has built a stable life in the US, she hopes to reunite with her family in Myanmar, where violence continues. Her story highlights the challenges of resettlement and the importance of community support for refugees.
An employment specialist at a refugee support organization in the United States assists newcomers in securing stable work. Arriving from Iran after facing persecution, this individual encountered significant barriers to employment despite their education. They now use their personal experience to guide others through the local job market. Recently, they helped a family receive job offers simultaneously. This role highlights the importance of community support in helping immigrants achieve independence and a sense of belonging in their new region.
A Rohingya family from Myanmar resettled in a city in Wisconsin with support from World Relief. After enduring hardship in Bangladesh, they faced challenges adapting to the local climate and community. With guidance from a caseworker, they established a garden to grow familiar vegetables and connect with neighbors. The project fostered resilience and generosity, providing fresh food and strengthening community ties. Their story highlights the ongoing efforts of local partners to help immigrants rebuild their lives and find belonging in the United States.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued an interim final rule in Baltimore that reduces the time refugees have to contest admissibility challenges from thirty to ten days. World Relief, an organization based in the US, urges the Department of Homeland Security to reverse this change. The group argues the reduction undermines due process rights established by the Refugee Act of 1980. Myal Greene, the organization's president, stated the move attacks legal immigration protections. The group also cited data showing refugees contribute significantly to the economy and rarely commit crimes. This decision follows recent revetting operations in Minnesota that targeted several refugees.
The US Department of Homeland Security has postponed final decisions on Temporary Protected Status for Ukrainian and Sudanese nationals in the United States. World Relief, based in a city in Maryland, welcomed this temporary reprieve but urged Congress to enact permanent legislative solutions. The organization noted that approximately 100,000 Ukrainians and 1,800 Sudanese currently hold this status due to ongoing conflicts in their home countries. World Relief president Myal Greene and vice president Matthew Soerens emphasized that instability in Ukraine and Sudan prevents safe returns. They called for durable legal pathways rather than continued uncertainty for these displaced individuals.
World Relief is delivering a letter signed by nearly 3,500 Christians to the White House in Baltimore, urging President Trump to set a historically consistent refugee ceiling for Fiscal Year 2027. The group specifically requests the reopening of the program for refugees fleeing religious persecution, citing reports that the administration may prioritize Afrikaners from South Africa. Myal Greene, World Relief president, stated the petition aims to rectify moral wrongs by admitting those who have suffered persecution. The letter asks Trump to follow his own precedent from his first administration regarding international religious liberty, noting that 70% of evangelical Christians believe the U.S. has a moral responsibility to accept refugees.
In a city in Washington state, refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Syria are finding economic stability through a candlemaking business founded by church members. A resettlement agency assisted these individuals with housing and job training. However, persistent employment barriers led church leaders to launch the enterprise, providing meaningful work for displaced women. The initiative highlights a broader challenge, as recent U.S. funding cuts impacted thousands of refugees, including those supported by the agency. The church community continues to offer essential social and financial support to help these families rebuild their lives in the United States.
World Relief marks Pastor Appreciation Day by highlighting clergy roles in aiding displaced populations. The organization cites the story of a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who found employment through a church-led initiative in a city in Washington state. A pastor fostered this partnership, creating a candle company. Additionally, a pastor and staff member in Burundi emphasizes that local congregations provide essential first response and long-term support during crises. These collaborations help address the needs of millions of displaced people globally, demonstrating the vital impact of faith-based organizations in humanitarian efforts.
World Relief Sacramento received donated bicycles from the Sacramento Bike Kitchen to support refugee and immigrant families in the United States. The nonprofit organization aims to distribute these bikes to help recipients access employment, education, medical appointments, and community activities. Sacramento Bike Kitchen, a volunteer-run group founded in 2006, views transportation as a tool for independence and social integration. Outreach Coordinator Adrian Gutierrez highlighted the partnership as a way to provide practical resources that foster self-reliance. This donation aligns with both organizations' goals of helping vulnerable populations navigate daily life and build connections within the Sacramento area.
World Relief announced the handoff of its Kenya operations to Nawiri Impact Africa, a newly locally governed entity. The transition marks the end of World Relief's direct management in Kenya, where it has operated since 1991. Led by former country director Mark Oyoo, the new organization will continue programs in Turkana and Kajiado counties. World Relief will provide support through 2028 as part of a broader localization strategy. The move aims to empower local leadership and sustain community development initiatives in health, food security, and resilience. This completes a wave of office transitions designed to shift stewardship to local teams.
Starting October 1, 2026, non-citizen adults in the United States will lose Medicaid eligibility, according to World Relief Wisconsin. Erin Stauss, a health navigator, reports that refugee families face severe financial strain and fear of untreated illness. Many have already received termination notices. The organization is helping families navigate limited alternatives like community clinics and employer-sponsored insurance. Stauss emphasizes the need for education on the U.S. healthcare system and the complex path to permanent residency. The changes impact those with chronic conditions most severely, creating urgent challenges for vulnerable households.
Mateo and Valeria, a young couple from El Salvador, faced housing insecurity while preparing for their first child in the United States. After living in a non-functional vehicle, they were assisted by the Washington Migrant and Asylum-Seeker Support Project. World Relief Western Washington helped place them in emergency hotel housing before securing a permanent home near a hospital. This stability allowed Valeria to access prenatal care and the couple to prepare for their baby. The organization also connected them with community volunteers for ongoing support. This case illustrates how coordinated networks help immigrants achieve long-term stability in Western Washington.
World Relief assisted Matilda, a refugee from Guatemala, in securing employment in the United States. After fleeing violence, she faced significant barriers including illiteracy and a lack of English proficiency. Her caseworker provided one-on-one guidance to help her create a resume and navigate online job applications. Matilda eventually received a job offer, allowing her to provide for her children and achieve greater financial stability. The organization highlights this case to demonstrate how employment services support refugee self-sufficiency despite language and literacy challenges. The story was published on the World Relief website.
World Relief Sacramento received a 2026 Successful Practices Honoree title from the Library of Congress for its Afghan Women’s ESL Literacy and Integration Groups Program. The organization was selected among twelve groups for demonstrating replicable literacy practices. The award includes a $10,000 grant. The initiative provides online instruction tailored for Afghan women with little prior formal education. It removes barriers like transportation by offering virtual classes in Dari and Pashto. The program aims to build foundational skills and foster community integration. The Library of Congress announced the winners on International Literacy Day. This recognition highlights efforts to support refugees in the United States.
A former refugee from Myanmar, who lived in a Thai camp, now works for World Relief in the US. Arriving as a child, she received support from a caseworker. Today, she serves as a senior family resource specialist, helping immigrant families access benefits. She is also pursuing graduate studies in international education to expand opportunities for refugee children. Her journey from student to staff member illustrates how education and community support foster long-term stability and belonging for displaced populations. According to World Relief, her story highlights the impact of welcoming new neighbors.
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