Building Welcoming Communities
A Welcoming Community: Tara’s Volunteer Story
At World Relief we believe in the power of welcoming communities. Read how Tara participates in a welcoming community.
When the Taliban took over Kabul Tara saw many news reports about Afghans fleeing the country. The stories of families needing new homes inspired her to want to make a difference in her own community and an opportunity to serve with World Relief came across her path through her church, Christ the Rock. Tara signed up through her church to lead a Good Neighbor Team. A Good Neighbor Team is a small group of volunteers who welcome, walk alongside, and offer long-term reciprocal friendships with a newly arrived refugee family for six months.
However, Taraâs team had to wait a year before they could be matched with a refugee family. Although the wait was long, Tara says that it was worth the wait to be matched with the family they now partner with. The volunteer team used that time they waited to prepare for their experience as volunteers by watching videos about serving in ways that are empowering and discussing those ideas together as a team.
Building Friendships
Taraâs team was officially matched with their partner family, Joseph and Beatrice* and their children, in the beginning of this year. Joseph and Beatriceâs family is Congolese. Some of the things that the Good Neighbor Team has supported the family in has been transportation to medical appointments, answering questions about life in the U.S., and support through friendship. Tara shared that she was surprised how easily their team has been able to connect with Josephâs family. Several members of the family speak English well and so the language barrier is less significant than Tara had expected.
Congolese Hospitality
After volunteering for several months Tara is grateful that she decided to volunteer. She is grateful for her familyâs opportunity to learn and grow in their friendship with Joseph and Beatrice. Taraâs family loves to visit Joseph and Beatriceâs family and enjoy time together in their home. Hospitality is very important in Congolese culture and Taraâs family feels honored to receive that hospitality. One of the things Tara is learning is to be more flexible. She says sheâs learning that, âitâs about the moment and not the to-do list.â
Embracing Differences
One of the cultural differences that Tara has noticed is differences in how she prays and worships. Although both families share the Christian faith they express their faith very differently. The day after Joseph and Beatrice arrived in the Fox Valley Tara met them in their home with their World Relief case worker. They took some time to pray together. Tara said she was expecting a brief and quiet moment of prayer before moving on to other things. Instead the Joseph and Beatrice took a long time to pray aloud, sing, and kneel.
Reflecting on her volunteer experience Tara has learned more about culture, but it has also made her look at her own community differently. She says she is more aware of the challenges facing newcomers to the Fox Valleyâsuch as access to transportation and healthcare. Taraâs hope is that our community can be a welcoming place for all newcomers.
*Names changed for privacy
If you are interested in volunteering learn about our volunteer opportunities here.
Refugee Mental Health: Our Responsibility
October 10th is World Mental Health Day. Refugees are less likely to seek treatment than non-refugees, but you can help lessen the stigma. Pictured above: a Problem Management Plus (PM+) training.
Generations of Stigma
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Habie Timbo, Community Outreach Case Manager and Mental Health Caseworker, explains what mental health is:
âMental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.â
The stigma around mental health exists in every community. Timbo believes it exists because people connect their symptoms with weaknesses or negative character traits. People may not know that invisible concerns can have the same debilitating effects as a physical illness/concern.
Stigma is prevalent in refugee communities. The cultural norms and accessibility to resources in the migration process play a role in this.
Timbo explains this further: âMany communities have their own practices that their cultures have used for generations on to address their own mental health concerns. In the U.S, systems are structured in a way that may cause fear.”
Individuals fear exclusion or expulsion from their main supports and cultural identity. Regardless of nationality, many deny that a mental concern could impact them.
A Need for Resources
There are resources available, but they are limited. For example, there is no provider in the Quad Cities that specializes in working with immigrants and refugees. There are also the challenges of transportation, affordability, and trust.
WRQC is developing the Refugee Health and Wellness program for in-house services. Timbo’s goal is to offer services like interventions and helping clients connect with community resources.
Like WRQC, more refugee agencies are focusing on adding mental health into their expertise.
The U.S. has started to recognize the need for mental health services for immigrant and refugee individuals. Phone crisis lines have become equipped with providing interpretation services. All Medicaid providers are required to offer interpreter services.
But, more can still be done.
Mental Health is Health
While reducing stigma for mental health is not an easy feat, Timbo has some ideas: â[We can] normalize discussions about mental health concerns early in the resettlement process. Recognize the trauma and lack of safety. Create treatments and access points that include culturally competent and cross-cultural trauma informed practices.â
Change can start with the individual. People can help by checking up on their loved ones and noticing changes in their behavior. Timbo urges people to reach out about how they are feeling.
If you notice anything, there is nothing wrong with having an intervention or a check in. It is important to give support and resources.
Timbo wants to remind everyone, âWe are all responsible for making mental health a part of our health discussion so that we can help decrease stigma and build relationships for a healthy community.â
For immigrants or refugees, adjusting to a new environment can take a toll on their wellbeing. They are already disconnected from their cultural identities, so seeking out mental health services is crucial for the long run.
It is important to have support and services available for these individuals so that they are able to create mental wellness routines and can prevent further trauma or illness.
Mental health care is health care. Take care of yourself and watch out for others.
Visit our volunteering page to find out more about becoming a friendship partner to provide support in those crucial first months.
Sloane McIlrath interns with the APA and Communications team at World Relief. She is a senior at Augustana College majoring in Creative Writing and Multimedia Journalism Mass Communication. She wants to share peopleâs stories and bring more awareness through her writing.
More than a Job: How Liberty Packaging is Helping Refugees
Founded by Immigrants
Jack Fiterman, founder of Liberty Diversified International (LDI), was an immigrant. He wanted to include âLibertyâ in the name because itâs a founding principle of this country. Founded in 1918, LDI has been a family-owned company for almost four generations. Supporting immigrants and refugees is in their foundation.
Part of LDI, Liberty Packaging is a corrugated box manufacturer with a facility located in Rock Island. Steve Walzer, their Human Resources Manager, connected with World Relief Quad Cities and gave refugees more than a job.
âLike many companies right now, we are faced with a challenge of keeping up with the demand for labor,â Walzer said. Especially in the Quad Cities.
Liberty Packaging was searching for sources of candidates that may not have always been apparent to them. They looked into multiple organizations around the Quad Cities that work with immigrants. Walzer said World Relief Quad Cities was a company they were excited to work with. He reached out to Grace Fitzpatrick, WRQC Employment Manager, to connect.
A Strong Community
Liberty Packaging brought in refugees from WRQC and showed them around the facility. They talked about the job opportunities with an interpreter.
âWe wanted to make sure it was a good fit,â he said.
From there, Walzer makes sure they feel welcome and a part of the community. The company prides itself on creating a space where community is strong. The new employees are from Afghanistan, and the team has been trying their hardest to make a safe and welcoming space. The two areas that Liberty Packaging has focused on are communication and cultural aspects.
They wanted to find a solution to the language barrier. Walzer understands that each person comes in with a different level of understanding of English and that some of the employees are taking ESL classes. They have worked with World Relief Quad Cities interpreters and are now looking into telephone service that can be used for language interpretation.
Walzer also wanted to recognize their cultural needs. The new employees needed a space for religious practices. So, they built one on-site for them.
Part of the Family
âSome of us had some experience with [other cultures], so we understood that they needed a space,â Walzer said. They built a prayer room for the new employees away from the workspace, and employees have time for prayer during their breaks.
Another goal in welcoming the refugees to their work force was integrating them into Libertyâs community. They worked with their current employees to help set up support for their new coworkers, like training. Many of the employees were very embracing of the opportunity to work with refugees.
âWe are still working through how we can continue to improve at all times. We are always looking to get better, but I think so far we have had really good success. The best evidence that I can offer is that all 7 that started with us are still with us,â Walzer said.
For other companies looking to work with organizations like World Relief Quad Cities, Walzer has some advice. At first, the language barrier can seem like a challenge. However, itâs important to put the time and effort into figuring out and working with each person, and to use resources.
âThese individuals coming in from a different country, are motivated, and want to work. Some employers might say I donât know how to make [success] happen, you can make it happen,â Walzer said.
Interested in hiring refugees? Visit our employment page or reach out to Grace at gfitzpatrick@wr.org for more information.
Sloane McIlrath interns with the APA and Communications team at World Relief. She is a senior at Augustana College majoring in Creative Writing and Multimedia Journalism Mass Communication. She wants to share peopleâs stories and bring more awareness through her writing.
How Refugee Children Reshape Resettlement for Their Families
Itâs easy to overlook the unique role refugee children have in the resettlement process. Yet the part they play not only impacts how quickly their family can adapt to life in the U.S. It can also determine how successfully they fully integrate.
The Challenge of Successful Resettlement
For families across the world, many would agree one of our highest priorities is raising our children. This often takes the form of providing stability – whether it’s through safety, good healthcare, a solid education, or better opportunities. After all, children take precedence in our lives and for good reason: they impact us at every level. When they struggle, the family as a unit often struggles, experiencing great difficulty to move forward.
It’s in this challenge many refugee families find themselves up against as they rebuild their lives in the U.S.
The Daunting Journey
Every year, violence, wars, persecution, poverty, famine, and other natural disasters drive children from their homes. According to the UNHCR, 36.5 million children were forcibly displaced in 2021 – that’s more than 40% of the world’s total displaced people. Not only has their normal rhythm of life been torn apart by unforeseen and tragic events. They’re never given the time or resources to mentally and emotionally process what happened â or why it happened in the first place.
Unfortunately, these challenges don’t stop here in the U.S. as they take on a new form during the resettlement process. Although eager to start their new life, refugee children now face a new set of barriers. But this time it’s in the form of adapting to a different culture, learning a new language, and navigating an unfamiliar educational system. To top it off, they must also figure out how to cultivate new relationships.
These challenges continue into the home as children straddle two different worlds and often assume adult responsibilities. As quick learners, children commonly become the primary interpreter for their parents â whether at school, for medical care, or in situations where family members are unable to communicate. They often find themselves trying to integrate two diverse cultures and languages into their household fabric. Their role develops into bridging the gaps and helping the family to function more smoothly.
Finding an Inroad to Stability
Without question, in the event of crisis, war, or conflict, the stability of the family unit is key to building a new foundation. For families, this stability begins with the children. When theyâre in a safe space, parents and extended family feel more secure about starting the adjustment process.
Yet the question remains. How can these families rebuild a sense of security when their children continue to be exposed to daunting challenges?
Bridging the Gap
Children & Youth Services at World Relief plays an integral part in stabilizing and empowering refugee children and their families as they resettle in the Chicago suburbs. In the last year, people like you along with the staff in DuPage and Aurora have worked with 633 children from 268 families and 37 different countries. These countries include Ukraine, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Sudan, Nepal, Colombia and many more.
We are all too familiar with the global crises that have uprooted these families. It’s critical to orient them as soon as possible to the nuts and bolts of parenting in America so that they can not only provide needed stability for their children. They can also move forward as a family.
Children and Youth Services Programs
Upon their arrival to the U.S., staff members work one-on-one with each unique family. A parent orientation program provides the initial support to quickly adjust during resettlement. It introduces them to life in the United States and what families can expect at each age and stage of their childâs resettlement.
Resources provided by Children & Youth Services continue to serve as an essential anchor for these families. These services include:
- Early childhood case management: nurtures essential play groups, connects families to local preschools, and coordinates specialized therapy
- School preparation and support: Provides backpacks and school supplies, helps them navigate classes and form new friendships, and shows them how to ride the bus on their first day
- Tutoring and mentoring services: ensures homework help is available through tutoring and provides After School and Summer Clubs for students in all grades
And let’s not forget one of the most important parts of being a kid: having fun and making new friends. World Reliefâs youth programming gives refugee children the space to be a kid with other kids. They create new friendships, explore American culture, and share a universal love for games (and snacks). Most importantly, these children are given the chance to move forward – together. Their constant smiles reveal it all – they tell a joyful story of a new life beginning.
Make a Difference. Get Involved.
People like you, along with churches, staff, donors and volunteers walk this journey with refugee children and their families. Together, we advocate on their behalf and connect them to essential community resources such as food pantries, clothing, child car seats, and other social services.
We understand that familiarity with the everyday small things has a huge impact on newcomers. Together, we can tackle complex challenges like employment, learning English, becoming citizens, and restoring dignity and normalcy for our new neighbors here in Chicagoland.
Helping Families Learn, Together: Family Literacy
School is in session and so are family literacy classes. Both the adults and children get to learn English and have fun with this program! Leah Hodge tells us all about it.
Family Literacy and More
Leah Hodge is the Education Manager at World Relief Quad Cities. Hodge is in charge of the Family Literacy program and the Youth Mentoring program. There is an upcoming Family Literacy program starting this September. The program will teach English as a Second Language program (ESL) with childcare.
Spring Forward, which offers free after school and summer programs to students, puts on the program. Many other organizations and schools have worked with Spring Forward to put on this program. WRQC has been involved for about 4 years now, and the program is important to the community.
âNo one in the community wanted [the Family Literacy program] to drop off, so groups stepped in to help keep it going,â said Hodge.
The families attend this program for free. Volunteers from the community play a huge role, and people from all over help out. There are retired professors, teachers, social workers, moms, and many more. Many of the volunteers are comfortable with teaching and are comfortable assisting the adults and the youth.
Volunteers help out in one of the two areas: teaching or childcare. Volunteers can teach the adults English or help in class, or they can help out with childcare. Childcare can be anything from holding a baby for a few hours to helping the little ones learn English as well.
It Takes a Village
While it is an academic program, one of the biggest goals is for the families to feel like they’re part of the community. A chunk of the class is dedicated to getting out in the community and seeing what it has to offer. Family Literacy has brought in community members like St. Ambrose students and the fire marshall. PBS Kids paid the program a visit last year as well.
They also try to include field trips into the program like visiting schools, going to the library, or even going to a farm!
Hodge wants people to know this program is very rewarding.
âThe volunteers make it a really welcoming place to be and a place where learning happens,” she said.
Volunteers are able to see the progress in the students and create a bond. The program gives the families a sense of belonging and offers a safe environment to learn and grow.
Hodge encourages anyone who is interested in Family Literacy to reach out and complete a volunteer application.
Feeling inspired to get involved? Click below to fill out a volunteer application. Or, request a guest speaker at an upcoming event.
Sloane McIlrath interns with the APA and Communications team at World Relief. She is a senior at Augustana College majoring in Creative Writing and Multimedia Journalism Mass Communication. She wants to share peopleâs stories and bring more awareness through her writing.
Answering Your Questions About Asylum Seekers
Last week, buses sent from Texas began arriving in Chicago carrying asylum seekers from the U.S. southern border. Since then, local government officials and organizations have been working quickly to ensure that the new arrivals have access to food, housing, and the other essentials every human needs to surviveâwhile also creating longer-term solutions.
With the news that some of the asylum seekers have been relocated to temporary lodging in the suburbs, many people in Burr Ridge, Willowbrook, Elk Grove Village, and other neighborhoods in Chicagoâs Western suburbs are asking âWhatâs going on? What does this mean for my community?â
World Relief has served immigrants and refugees in the Chicago area for more than 40 years. We have offices in Aurora, Chicago, and DuPage County and work with hundreds of local partners. We know you have questions and concerns â and we want to help you stay informed and ready to respond.
Your Top Questions
Who are the people coming on these buses from Texas? Are they illegal immigrants?
The people who are arriving in Chicago came to the United States after traveling for days or weeks. They have come from places like Venezuela, Colombia, and other countries in order to seek asylum. Federal law allows people who flee their home countries to escape persecution to seek asylum in the U.S., and requesting asylum grants them legal protection and the right to remain in the United States as an âasylee.â Every person who has arrived on the buses from Texas has been permitted entry by the federal government as they await the opportunity to present their asylum case.
Asylum seekers are following what U.S. law requires. In order to seek asylum, people must physically come to the United States and present themselves to an official to declare their request for asylum. Once here, they are granted entry as they wait to present their case at an appointed time.
Why do these asylum seekers need so much help?
An asylum seeker may wait months before getting the chance to present their case for asylum. During this time, they need money to live and a place to stay just like everyone else. However, there is little to no financial provision from the U.S. Government for asylum seekers. Additionally, they are not legally allowed to work in the U.S. until they have received work authorization. That process can take 6-9 months. This puts many families at risk of homelessness and makes them very vulnerable to predatory actors and poverty. Programs like World Reliefâs HOME program give opportunities for the community to come alongside asylum seekers during this difficult time â helping people get stable housing and other support while they wait for their asylum claim to be heard.
Iâm worried about drugs and crime coming into my community.
It is concerning to see the rise in drug-related deaths linked to fentanyl. However, historically, people seeking safety and asylum are not a major cause of increased drug availability. There is substantial evidence that the majority of people who smuggle fentanyl and other drugs into the U.S. are actually U.S. citizens. In fact, most of the fentanyl that comes into the country is from truckers or U.S. citizens coming legally through ports of entry. Itâs not from undocumented immigrants or asylum seekers.
Generally, migrants are not more likely to engage in criminal behavior. In fact, both documented and undocumented immigrants are less likely to commit crimes than U.S.-born citizens!
One way we can help protect our communities and those who have recently arrived is by providing support to families and individuals who are in particularly desperate and vulnerable situations. Asylum seekers are uniquely vulnerable due to fleeing persecution, war, violence, or extreme poverty and not having support in the U.S. When our community responds to help newcomers, like those arriving on buses from Texas, we actually make the community safer and more welcoming for everyone!
What can I do to help the asylum seekers in my community?
Each year, hundreds of people like you, and churches across the Chicagoland region, make our community a welcoming place for refugees, asylum seekers, and other immigrants. We are so grateful for people like you who have the heart to help others! You can help the recent newcomers by giving to the asylum program at World Relief Chicagoland.
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5 Ways to Keep Welcoming Afghans
In August 2021, the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan, and Kabul fell to the Taliban. Many Afghans who had assisted the U.S. government were left at considerable risk. Since the withdrawal, an estimated 84,600 Afghans have been evacuated to the U.S.
Over the last year, people like you have helped us welcome over 330 of those Afghans to Chicagoland. World Relief staff, volunteers, church partners, and donors have given generously of their time, friendship, and resources to help these families and individuals begin rebuilding their lives.
Within weeks of Kabul’s fall, churches gathered household supplies to transform empty apartments into homes for Afghan arrivals. Volunteers formed Good Neighbor Teams to help families adjust to life in the U.S. And, even as they began rebuilding their own lives, leaders emerged from the Afghan community to help us better welcome our new neighbors.Â
Now, we invite you to keep leaning in. Do not grow weary of doing good â the work of welcome doesnât stop when headlines fade.
Here are 5 ways you can keep building a movement of welcome for Afghans in the U.S. By continuing to advocate with, pray for and walk alongside them, you can embody Christâs love for all people, whether or not theyâre making headline news.Â
1. Ask Congress to provide lasting protection for evacuated Afghans
Many of the Afghans evacuated to the U.S. were granted entry as “parolees”, meaning their immigration status is temporary. If left unchanged, tens of thousands of women, men, and children from Afghanistan resettled in the U.S. have uncertain futures.
Take action today on behalf of your Afghan neighbors by emailing Congress and urging them to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act, which will provide lasting protection to evacuated Afghans in the U.S.
2. Learn about Afghan culture to better connect with your Afghan neighbors
As evacuees from Afghanistan continue to rebuild their lives in the U.S., you may find yourself wondering â How can I better connect with and serve my Afghan neighbors?
In the Afghan Culture Guide, an interactive, online course from the World Relief Workshop, we share essential knowledge about Afghan culture, unpack common tension points and provide practical tools to help move you towards a mutually enriching friendship with your Afghan neighbors. Now through September 30, enroll for 50% off with code AFGHANCULTUREGUIDE50.
3. Volunteer alongside Afghans in your community
Over the last year, volunteers across the U.S. have demonstrated love for their Afghan neighbors by serving alongside them. Whether providing transportation, helping newcomers learn English, or making an apartment feel like home for a new arrival, volunteers play an essential role in embodying hospitality and welcome for refugees and immigrants, including those who have fled Afghanistan.
Start volunteering here!
4. Apply to work at World Relief
If youâve ever wanted to grow your gifts and talents while serving your refugee and immigrant neighbors, this is your chance! World Relief is hiring for open positions across our U.S. network and internationally.
Whether you have a passion for mobilizing volunteers and churches to welcome refugees, advocating for immigrants’ rights, or providing support and services to your newcomer neighbors, we need people like you to join our team. Apply today to put your faith into action and be part of the movement of welcome.
5. Join The Path and give a gift that lasts
Rebuilding lives and regaining stability takes time. Over the next few months, World Relief is expected to resettle an additional 500 Afghans. When you join The Path as a monthly giver, you help ensure our newest immigrant neighbors are welcomed and supported. Together, we can sustain a movement of welcome long after the headlines fade.
Kelly Hill serves as a Content Writer at World Relief. She previously served as Volunteer Services Manager at World Relief Triad in North Carolina before moving to Salt Lake City. With a background in International and Intercultural Communication, she is passionate about the power of story to connect people of diverse experiences.
How to Sustain Your Compassion When Headlines Fade
Can I create change that lasts even when Iâm exhausted? How can I sustain my compassion when headlines fade but problems persist?
We live in an interconnected world. Sometimes, that thought can feel warm and fuzzy, conjuring up images of unity and togetherness. But today, it can also feel overwhelming.
The world’s challenges are complex and can’t be fixed overnight. For example, in Kenya, Turkana County is currently experiencing its fourth consecutive season of drought. This crisis is made worse as the war in Ukraine turns âagricultural fields turned into battlefieldsâ blocking the export of millions of tons of wheat and maize. As a result, food prices are rising and millions of people are at risk of malnutrition and starvation.
Even before Ukraine, the world was already bending under the weight of the coronavirus pandemic. Afghan refugees fleeing the Taliban continued to need resettlement. Men, women and children in South Sudan were experiencing historic flooding, and southern Haiti was still recovering from a devastating earthquake and political upheaval after the assassination of their president.
At World Relief, we know you want to be a part of creating change that lasts. As one crisis compounds another, you might ask â How can I create change when Iâm so exhausted? How do I stay engaged and sustain my compassion when headlines fade but problems persist?
How Dennis Finds Compassion
Dennis Mwangwela has been working at World Relief for more than 20 years. He currently serves as the Director of Integral Mission for International Programs. Dennis shared that he continues to have hope and persevere even after the earthquake in Haiti.
His words are a call and an encouragement to all of us as we lean in and look for ways to sustain our compassion when hardship persists and headlines fade.
âBiblical hope is different from being optimistic. Biblical hope is enduring even in the most difficult circumstances because itâs not based on what I see, but itâs based on Godâs unchanging character and promises.â â Dennis Mwangwela
Hear more from Dennis in the interview below:
Where can I lean in?
The ability to lean in comes from remembering. Remembering that God is with us fuels our compassion for the long journey ahead. As our compassion grows through this season, may we be moved closer to our refugee and immigrant neighbors. Take a step to lean in by journeying with refugees and other immigrants through joining the path today.
Just Be a Friend
As many of our families’ children return to school, we wanted to highlight the community members who strove to make their first summer in the U.S. memorable. Alma Gaul became a friendship partner after hearing about the Afghanistan crisis.
A Call to Action
Itâs important to highlight the successes of volunteers because they do so much for us and our families.
Alma Gaul has volunteered with our Quad Cities office for about a year or so. She recently took on being a friendship partner with a family of 6 from Afghanistan.
Gaul was a reporter at the Quad City Times in Davenport for 43 years. During her time as a reporter, she often covered topics that connect directly with World Relief, like resettlement initiatives.
She retired over a year ago and has been doing freelance stories of her own interests, or what she finds important.
Last year, she was called to action as she watched the situation in Afghanistan on the news. Gaul wanted to help and asked herself what she could do. Getting hands-on involved had been on her list for a while.
One day, she reached out to Beth Conner, our Community Engagement Manager, and decided it was time to step in.
A Meaningful Friendship
Gaul started off by driving clients to appointments and other places they needed to go. She said it was a great service, but she wanted a connection, wanted to do more.
There was an open opportunity to be a friend to a family. Gaul took it, and in her words, she âwent in blind.â
âI donât know exactly what I bring to this or what they need. But, Iâm just trying hard to be a friend,â she said.
She wants to make sure her visits with the family are meaningful and informative. On the Fourth of July, she went over and visited the family. She wanted to talk about the Declaration of Independence. However, she soon realized that was a little too difficult. They had a laugh and just spent the rest of the day together.
Her goal is to show them important things in the community, like John Deere. John Deere is a huge part of Quad Cities history, and she plans to explain the company and take a trip with them to the John Deere Pavilion.
But other than that, she just is grateful to spend time with them. Eat food. Talk about each other’s families. And above all, create a bond. Just as friends do.
Feeling inspired to get involved? Click below to fill out a volunteer application. Or, request a guest speaker at an upcoming event.
Sloane McIlrath interns with the APA and Communications team at World Relief. She is a senior at Augustana College majoring in Creative Writing and Multimedia Journalism Mass Communication. She wants to share peopleâs stories and bring more awareness through her writing.
Building Community One Race at a Time
As many of our families’ children return to school, we wanted to highlight the community members who strove to make their first summer in the U.S. memorable. Running is Joe Moreno’s passion, and it’s inspired him to give back.
Returning the Favor
Joe Moreno has been heavily involved in the Quad City community for 50 years. He’s a man of many talents.
Moreno is a race director, which means he sets up road races in the Quad Cities. He has been a runner most of his life and still runs at age 65. Many years ago, Moreno was the mayor of East Moline. But his favorite thing is helping out in the community.
Giving back is something dear to Moreno. âI just enjoy giving back to the community. I just feel like we have a responsibility to do good in our community.â
Running has been a huge part of his life. It wouldnât have been if he hadn’t received help from his own community when he was a teenager.
âWhen I was a young man, I was a troubled teenager and these two guys showed up on my doorstep one day and said âYouâre coming with us.â I did. I didnât know who they were. I thought âWell Iâm in trouble again.â
Moreno was wrong. The two guys that showed up at his door were mentors from an organization called Youth Service Bureau. Two college volunteers changed the direction of Morenoâs life when they introduced him to running.
âThey took me to the races and Iâve been running ever since.â
More Than a Race
He has done races all around the world including in Europe, all over the United States, and South America. Now, he has organized over a hundred races in the Quad Cities.
Moreno hopes he is sharing the joy of running and all the things that come with it with each race.
â[Running] gave me confidence and self-esteem. It opened many doors for me. When I organize these races, I feel like maybe I am touching another oneâs life by providing this vehicle for them to excel or discover that they like running too, and it will change their life, maybe.â
His love for running brings love to the community. He started the QC Marathon and has been organizing them for 25 years. He has also organized the Firecracker Run, the Freedom Run, and many more.
Moreno thinks each race should have two things: âEvery race has its purpose and its cause. You canât just have a race to have a race. I believe there has to be a reason and a purpose. All of our races do.â
Running with Purpose
The Cinco de Mayo race in May raises money for the QC Autism Center. The QC Marathon splits the money between two organizations, Prostate Cancer Initiative and Shoes for Quad Cities Kids. The Freedom Run goes to local military families in need. The Firecracker run supports local projects in East Moline.
The most recent contribution is Runnerâs Park in downtown East Moline. There is a band shelter which has live music every Sunday. The name Runnerâs Park is based on the runners themselves.
â[The park is a] tangible contribution for decades and many years to come, we can say âHey, we the runners built that park and donated to the city.â Iâm so proud of all those contributions.”
Moreno is a big supporter of World Relief Quad Cities and its work. For all of his races, Moreno lets refugee families and individuals run for free. He donates the entry cost right back to them through WRQC. Moreno believes that every organization should do the same.
âThatâs one way I think we could help. Itâs helping refugees in our community participate in these events. I think every organization should open that door and offer that type of assistance to help them, to welcome them, to make them feel better.
“I just feel like we have a responsibility, every organization, every citizen has a responsibility to help refugees, because who knows, maybe that could be us someday.â
Moreno discovered WRQC through connections in the community. He was looking for a person to help out with the kids race for Freedom Run and met Executive Director Laura Fontaine.
Because she was on the committee for the race, he got to know her and learned about World Relief. On top of his other contributions, he’s now a volunteer.
âIâm very supportive, and I want to be supportive.â
A Deep Respect
Giving back to the community is so important. Moreno applauds WRQC for its impact.
âI think we should all do more to help that organization out, because when we help refugees settle into our communities, they become better citizens and they will be contributors to our community. Letâs give them the respect and the assistance and the protection they need, they desire. That they deserve.â
Moreno believes that WRQC is a huge asset to the community. He asks the community to step up and get involved and respect, assist, support, and provide protection to those coming to the United States.
WRQC does so much good, he says, and he wants to give back.
âI wish we could all do more for World Relief Quad Cities.â
Feeling inspired to get involved? Click below to fill out a volunteer application. Or, request a guest speaker at an upcoming event.
Sloane McIlrath interns with the APA and Communications team at World Relief. She is a senior at Augustana College majoring in Creative Writing and Multimedia Journalism Mass Communication. She wants to share peopleâs stories and bring more awareness through her writing.
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