Press Release

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
June 26, 2019

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

World Relief Challenges Americans Not to Look Away, Help the Children in Detention at Our Border

Leading global Christian humanitarian organization urges humane conditions for asylum seekers and alternatives to detention. 

BALTIMORE, Md. – As the heartbreaking image of Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez, gripped by his young daughter in their last moments of life along the U.S.-Mexico border, pricks the conscience of the nation, World Relief is challenging Americans not to look away, but to respond with courage and compassion. Reports of neglect, poor sanitation and sparse supplies in detention centers – particularly those housing children – are unacceptable. And hardship to the point of death upon being refused aid at the U.S. border is unconscionable. To address these needs, World Relief is launching a challenge to Americans to call their representatives and give sacrificially to ensure that no child goes without basic necessities while on U.S. soil and that our asylum laws are respected. World Relief’s goal is to drive 5,000 messages to Congress and raise funds for legal aid, church mobilization and family reunification support.

“Law enforcement is essential, but ignoring humanitarian needs is egregious,” commented World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. “After being along the border this weekend and interacting with children and families recently released from governmental custody, I am further convinced that our government must shift resources from a response designed primarily to contain a security crisis and more toward a response to a humanitarian crisis. It is the responsibility of the governed to call to task their government, so we humbly urge each citizen to consider reaching out to their representative to solve once and for all the crisis at the border.”

In addition to the numerous other services offered to refugees, those granted asylum and other immigrants, World Relief is coordinating legal consultations for those with a legitimate case who are seeking asylum, helping many understand whether their circumstances qualify for asylum under the U.S. law. When individuals have a strong case, we want to represent as many individuals as possible, because we know that asylum seekers represented by legal counsel are approximately four times more likely to ultimately be granted asylum than those who are unrepresented. At present, the need dramatically exceeds the availability of authorized legal professionals, because asylum seekers generally go unrepresented unless they can afford a private attorney – or a non-profit legal services organization like World Relief can take the case. We are eager to expand our legal services, but we can do so only with increased support from churches and individuals who stand with asylum seekers.

Ultimately, many vulnerable asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children, are likely to continue to endure dehumanizing conditions and face a high likelihood of deportation to a situation of danger unless policies change. At World Relief, we believe that local churches throughout the country have a key role in advocating for just and compassionate immigration policies that are consistent with biblical values. We have long played a key role in mobilizing local churches for advocacy and we’re committed to mobilizing the church to respond now, to have the courage to not to look away.

Finally, World Relief believes that, whether a family is at the border, has long resided in the U.S. or has been separated and seeking reunification, families belong together. By donating, individuals are helping support the immigrant legal services programs of World Relief that help families quickly determine eligibility and file for family reunification.

World Relief CEO Tim Breene commented: “The conflicts and crises that drive families and individuals away from their countries of origin and cause them to flee to our borders are multifaceted and numerous. While the long-term solutions may require thoughtful investment of humanitarian resources, we can unequivocally improve the asylum process by offering clear, quick and legal methods that relieve stress on the officials who are valiantly trying to do their jobs at the border.”

To find out how you can participate in the challenge, visit worldrelief.org/call-for-families.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
March 22, 2019                                                                                          

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

World Relief Responds to Cyclone Idai’s Impact on Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi

Baltimore, Md. – Cyclone Idai landed in Beira, Mozambique, last Thursday before its severe winds and flooding spread to neighboring countries of Malawi and Zimbabwe. The U.N. estimates the tropical storm has affected more than 2.6 million people across Southeastern Africa, devastating more than 1.7 million people in its path in Mozambique and over 920,000 in neighboring Malawi. Survivors are awaiting aid on rooftops as their homes, roads and power lines are submerged under water or, in some cases, have been completely washed away.

World Relief is responding in Malawi alongside their local partner the Evangelical Association of Malawi, to provide immediate relief assistance to an estimated 9,000 households in the southern region.  World Relief is also exploring partnerships with local contacts in Mozambique.

“Our hearts are broken for those who have lost homes and loved ones through the devastation of Cyclone Idai,” said World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. “We plan to support our local partners who are boldly serving the victims of this disaster.”

World Relief CEO Tim Breene commented, “We pray for the millions of victims awaiting hope and rescue from Cyclone Idai and also for the local organizations working on the ground to help these individuals recover and rebuild their lives. We’re grateful for our incredible partners and contacts in these countries that are able to immediately respond to one of the worst weather-related disasters to ever hit the southern hemisphere.”

World Relief’s programs in Malawi, established in 1989, span 10 districts in the central and northern regions of the country. World Relief’s empowerment of churches in these communities has helped care for children and for mothers learning to raise healthy families, prevented the spread of HIV and helped farmers improve the value of their crops and livestock. Their work has helped 4,037,803 individuals over the past 3 years. World Relief began its work in Mozambique in 1994 and currently provides long-term management to the agricultural associations formed by World Relief in Gaza Province. 1,471, 588 individuals and families have benefited from this work between 2015 and 2017.

For more information on World Relief’s disaster relief work and how to help, please visit https://worldrelief.org/cycloneidai.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
March 15, 2019                                                                                          

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

World Relief Grieves Horrific Shooting in New Zealand Mosques

Baltimore, Md. – World Relief issued the following statement in response to mass shootings that left 49 people dead and over 20 wounded at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand:

Scott Arbeiter, president of World Relief, and Tim Breene, CEO of World Relief: “We are devastated by the news of such senseless, gratuitous deaths in New Zealand mosques. Our hearts break for the lives cut short, and we lift up in prayer the families of those affected by such violence in a place of worship. We condemn bigotry and hate crime, particularly crime that creates fear of safety when worshiping, regardless of where the worship is taking place. 

“Additionally, our hearts break for the immigrants affected by this tragedy. We also lift up in prayer the conflicts that are driving men and women from their homes, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan, from which many of these worshipers came. We urge Christians to respond in love by coming alongside refugees around the world to create the safe communities that are the best antidote to violence and threat.”

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
March 12, 2019                                                                                          

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

World Relief Responds to Administration’s Proposed Budget Cuts to Humanitarian Assistance Programs

Baltimore, Md. – Yesterday, President Trump announced his proposed 2020 budget, including significant cuts to federal spending for a variety of critical humanitarian assistance programs. World Relief expresses concern over the impact that the proposed 24 percent cut to international affairs will have on programs serving the most vulnerable across the globe.

World Relief President Scott Arbeiter commented, “The U.S. has stood as an example of generosity for countries around the world for decades. If we shut our doors to assisting the vulnerable, others will follow suit. World Relief is deeply concerned by the proposed budget cuts, their potential impact on people who live in some of the most impoverished places around the world, and what it means for our legacy of generosity as a nation. At a time when we’re seeing more displaced persons in recorded history, and as women and children in particular bear the brunt of violence and conflict around the world, we must do all that we can to alleviate poverty and suffering.”

The proposed budget comes with a reduction of $2.5 billion to USAID and the State Department. Critical humanitarian interventions including funding to support maternal child health and to fight HIV/AIDS through PEPFAR would be reduced by 26 percent and 29 percent respectively.

World Relief believes that these humanitarian assistance and development programs are life-saving interventions that are critically needed in some of the most conflict-ridden places on earth. Funding for international disaster assistance is a key component to prevent people from becoming refugees and enables the U.S. to respond quickly to complex humanitarian needs in areas like Iraq, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Central African Republic.

Specifically, World Relief supports funding levels for FY 2020 as follows:

• $2.67 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services’ Refugee and Entrant Assistance (REA) account

• $3.604 billion for the Department of State’s Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) account

• $1 million for the Department of State’s Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance (ERMA) account

• $4.5 billion for the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) International Disaster Assistance (IDA) account

• $5.85 billion for HIV/AIDS State and USAID

• $900 million for maternal and child health

World Relief also urges Congress to maintain the Department of State’s Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA) account within the Department of State rather than the proposed consolidation of MRA with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Providing the State Department the critical tools needed to provide assistance to displaced persons in connection with their diplomacy has proven effective in ameliorating some of the most complicated, humanitarian crises around the world and maximizing refugee protection.

 “The U.S. plays an important role in setting the tone for the rest of the world, with our humanitarian assistance funds constituting less than 1 percent of the entire U.S. budget,” commented World Relief CEO Tim Breene. “By abdicating our place as a leader in resettling refugees and being a mitigating presence in times of disaster, the U.S. leaves a void that cannot easily be filled. We urge Congress to continue to fund at robust levels U.S. humanitarian assistance to meet needs around the world.”

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
March 8, 2019                                                                                          

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

On International Women’s Day, World Relief Celebrates 4 Million Women and Girls Served

Baltimore, Md. – On this global day dedicated to honoring the achievements of women, World Relief announces several exciting new initiatives to affirm the value and dignity of women around the world and equip them to transform their communities in the future.

“Women have God-given talents and gifts that are crucial for transforming communities,” commented World Relief Vice President of Advocacy and Policy Jenny Yang. “When you give women the tools to provide for themselves and their families, miracles happen, and it’s a beautiful thing that we have the privilege of seeing time and again.”

By working with the local church and communities, World Relief’s services empower women through practical education, community participation, employment services and more. In 2018 World Relief served 4 million women and girls through its programs, including:

• Around the world, teaching over 90,000 women how to manage their finances through our Savings for Life program.

• In Congo, training almost 4,000 youth in sexual and gender-based violence awareness and sensitization.

• In Jordan, expanding our marriage and parenting programs to include men, recognizing their critical role in impacting change within the home.

• In Rwanda, launching a partnership with Starbucks Foundation to empower 12,960 women to thrive through safe relationships, healthy homes, clean drinking water and economic opportunity.

• In the U.S., welcoming 1,595 women and girls here as refugees, and serving more than 160 female survivors of human trafficking.

 World Relief President Scott Arbeiter commented, “World Relief believes in the dignity and potential of every woman and man God has created. The church is uniquely positioned around the world to unlock this potential. On this international awareness day, we’re excited to continue equipping communities, including our own, to bring about the flourishing of people made in the image of God across the world.”

 This International Women’s Day, World Relief commenced several special initiatives that celebrate the impact they’ve had on millions of women and girls and build on the work that has gone before to equip more women than ever before.

 This year, World Relief marked a new relationship with Starbucks Foundation. Over the course of a three-year commitment, the Starbucks Foundation’s Origin Community Grant will contribute $500,000 to World Relief’s work to empower 12,960 Rwandan women and impact the lives of 57,000 Rwandans in the District of Nyamasheke. This partnership will build on World Relief’s existing work of promoting women’s leadership, encouraging healthy homes and providing safe drinking water.

 Separately, World Relief is raising $100,000 to create a better world for women – one that fights systems of gender injustice and empowers women around the world to build bolder, brighter futures. Anyone making a donation on International Women’s Day to World Relief’s initiatives will not be subject to processing fees. Additionally, World Relief urges those interested in supporting women around the world to consider donating to their ongoing match campaign with One Day’s Wages, which will go live on March 18 and specifically focus on raising funds for their comprehensive sexual and gender-based violence programming.

World Relief CEO Tim Breene commented, “Change truly starts from the ground up. We’re grateful for the partners who have come alongside us in our mission to equip the local church to bring about flourishing over the last year, and we’re prayerfully expectant to see the good that is made possible by women and men taking up the call to be the hands and feet of Christ around the world.”

For more information on how World Relief’s work has impacted women and children across the globe, please visit worldrelief.org/women.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
February 15, 2019                                                

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

World Relief Responds to President Trump’s Declaration of a National Emergency at the Border

Baltimore, Md. – Today, President Trump declared the situation at the border a national emergency, invoking presidential emergency powers to increase border security. While appreciative of his commitment to securing the border, World Relief urges the President to pursue broad-based immigration reform in partnership with Congress.

While avoiding a second shutdown, the president pivoted from seeking a cooperative solution with Congress to escalating the status of the situation at the border to that of a national emergency.

World Relief President Scott Arbeiter commented, “Securing the southern border is essential. But finding a true solution to the complex situation facing our nation’s immigration system requires all parties working in cooperation. We’re concerned that by declaring a national emergency, not only has the president opened an avenue for bypassing true solutions, but also shortchanged those stuck in the immigration system and those seeking to come to the U.S. who need true legislative solutions. Our decades-long failure to find a solution to this issue has put too many children and families at risk, precipitated government shutdowns and polarized the nation on issues that once united us.”

“The president cited violence at the border and the influx of drugs as justification for expediting funds for a wall,” commented World Relief Vice President of Advocacy and Policy Jenny Yang. “We have in fact seen a lower level of crime from immigrants of any legal status than the overall native-born American population, and Border Patrol has reported a 45 percent decrease in apprehensions at the border between FY2000-2018. We urge the president to consider the devastating circumstances driving so many to pursue the legitimate option of seeking asylum legally in the U.S. and offer clear-cut pathways to become legal residents.”

World Relief C.E.O. Tim Breene commented, “World Relief advocates a comprehensive and bipartisan solution to the immigration challenges facing the U.S. – not one solved through invoking emergency powers. The president has had the opportunity to offer once-and-for-all fixes for those in limbo in Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs and those who have otherwise arrived in the U.S. and desire to become lawful residents and eventually citizens.”

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
February 5, 2019                                                

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

World Relief Responds to President Trump’s State of the Union Address, Urges Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Baltimore, Md. – Today, President Trump addressed the nation in an annual address to a joint session of Congress. Heartened by his commitment to “the security, safety and financial well-being of Americans” World Relief agrees that legal immigrants “enrich our nation and strengthen our society.” However, World Relief also urges the President and Congress pursue comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform that retains border security while providing a process by which immigrants can earn legal status and, ultimately, U.S. citizenship. We agree that we have a duty to protect the lives and jobs of our citizens – but we also have a moral duty to care for the vulnerable.

The president reiterated a call for Congress to come to an agreement on immigration, citing an “urgent, national crisis,” and repeating his call for a “proper barrier or wall.” While World Relief agrees that border security is important, we also have to respond in a humanitarian way to those who seek asylum in the U.S. It is counter to our nation’s legacy as a country of immigrants to restrict avenues through which those who are fleeing persecution and danger can find protection in the United States.

World Relief President Scott Arbeiter commented, “While we commend the president for his affirmation of the contributions of legal immigrants, and it is entirely right that he should seek to secure our nation, we hope that he will take the asylum seekers at the border in context with the refugee crisis as a whole. 68 million people are forcibly displaced around the world, of which 25 million are refugees. The world’s vulnerable are best served not by punishing them for seeking a new life but by offering clear, defined pathways to seek asylum and become integrated into the nation.”

President Trump rightly called on Congress “to embrace the boundless potential of cooperation, compromise and the common good.” World Relief has long urged such a spirit of compromise to find a bipartisan, comprehensive solution to the immigration challenges facing the U.S. The president has the opportunity to offer once-and-for-all fixes for those in limbo in Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals programs and those who have otherwise arrived in the U.S. and desire to become lawful residents and eventually citizens.

“President Trump and Congress have the unique opportunity to solve issues perplexing lawmakers for quite some time,” commented World Relief CEO Tim Breene. “The U.S. refugee resettlement program has been an incredibly effective humanitarian operation for four decades, and we believe that by expanding the existing program to its potential capacity and applying similar structures and priorities to the challenges facing us at our southern border, we can reach a solution that integrates compassion and security.”

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
January 19, 2019                                              

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

World Relief Urges Bipartisan Immigration Compromise, End to Shutdown

Baltimore, Md. – Today, President Trump addressed the nation to propose a compromise to end the month-plus long shutdown. The president proposed a number of possible changes, including $5.7 billion in border security funding to include new physical barriers, legislation that would provide a temporary extension of legal protections for some Dreamers, an extension of Temporary Protected Status for individuals from whom the administration had previously planned to remove these protections and various other proposals.

World Relief President Scott Arbeiter commented, “Our leaders have the unique opportunity to cut through partisan differences and come to a solution that affirms the dignity of and extends compassion to those seeking refuge while improving security for our borders. While we believe we ultimately need solutions that go beyond what was proposed today, we are glad the president has opened the door to compromise.

“We encourage President Trump not to stop at merely extending protections, but also to offer a pathway to permanent legal status and eventual citizenship for those stuck in limbo in Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals,” urged World Relief SVP of U.S. Ministries Emily Gray.“It is contradictory to our heritage as a nation of immigrants and legacy of Christian hospitality to keep these long-time residents from the chance to become citizens of the country they consider their home.”

The legislative details of any such deal are very important. Given World Relief’s particular concern for the plight of individuals fleeing persecution, we are particularly concerned about any changes that would limit the ability of those with a well-founded fear of persecution to find refuge in the U.S.

“Ultimately, our country desperately needs broader immigration reform, including both secure borders and the opportunity for immigrants in the country unlawfully to earn permanent legal status,” added Arbeiter. “We urge Congressional leaders to return to the table and work together on a bipartisan basis to find a broader solution including both improved border security and an earned legalization process for the undocumented, which we then urge the president to sign.” 

World Relief invites others to join World Relief leadership in urging Congress and the president to act on a bipartisan basis by adding their names to this letter.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
January 8, 2019                                              

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

World Relief Press Statement on President Trump’s Comments

Baltimore, Md. – BALTIMORE, MD – Following President Trump’s Oval Office address, World Relief calls for bipartisan immigration reforms that will both improve border security and improve the process by which immigrants can earn permanent legal status and eventually citizenship. 

“The President defined the situation at the border a humanitarian problem. He’s correct – it’s a humanitarian crisis for those that take on the dangerous trek to the border,” said Jenny Yang, VP of Policy and Advocacy at World Relief.

It’s important that both the President and Congress recognize why they embark on this dangerous journey. For the vast majority, it’s because they are fleeing persecution and severe hardships in their home countries. Erecting a wall will not disincentivize people from fleeing crises in their countries of origin to seek out a better life. The true humanitarian crisis is the global refugee crisis, which is one which the U.S. is well equipped to meet.

“The U.S. can be both secure and compassionate,” added Yang. “It is entirely right that our government invest in smart border security, restricting anyone who would harm our country while also keeping the U.S. open to those who qualify under our laws to enter including those with a credible fear of persecution.”

“It’s also important that our response to the situation at the border is fueled by facts, not by misguided fear.” said World Relief CEO Tim Breene. Breene noted that while a small number of immigrants in the country unlawfully have committed serious crimes – for which they should face appropriate justice – overall immigrants, regardless of legal status, commit crime at significantly lower rates than native-born U.S. citizens. And the overall number of apprehensions at the U.S.-Mexico border for Fiscal Year 2018 were down roughly 45 percent from the average number of annual apprehensions since Fiscal Year 2000.

World Relief re-affirms its call for bipartisan immigration reforms that would both improve border security and provide an earned process by which immigrants who are unlawfully present in the country could earn permanent legal status and eventually citizenship. We are particularly concerned for individuals – such as those currently authorized to work and protected from deportation by Temporary Protected Status or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – whose legal protections could be removed very soon, pending court decisions.

“President Trump and Congressional leaders of both parties have the opportunity to come together for the good of our country,” said Breene. “If each side gives a bit, they can secure our border, establish an earned legalization process for undocumented immigrants who want to get right with the law and eventually become Americans, and resolve this partial government shutdown.”

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.

***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
November 30, 2018                                              

CONTACT:
Lauren Carl
carl@pinkstongroup.com
703-388-6734

World Relief to Be Featured on the Hallmark Channel’s Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas

Baltimore, Md. – World Relief Memphis will be featured this Monday, December 3, on “Amy Grant’s Tennessee Christmas – Presented by Hallmark Channel,” a part of the network’s #1-rated programming event, COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS. 

The one-hour musical special will air nationwide at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT and will feature performances by multi-platinum-selling singer, songwriter Amy Grant, her husband and fellow GRAMMY winner Vince Gill, EMMY-nominated television star Kellie Pickler and long-time friend, GRAMMY winner Michael W. Smith. The artists will shine a light on the true spirit of Christmas with heartfelt stories, favorite family holiday memories, unforgettable musical performances and features on special charities in Tennessee. The special is Executive Produced and Directed by Tom Forrest of Taillight TV, a Nashville-based production company that has worked with some of the biggest names in music. This year’s COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS marks the largest slate of holiday programming ever.

The charities featured represent East, Middle and West Tennessee and include Song for Veterans, Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation, Appalachian Relief Fund and Barefoot Republic, Grant’s own camp for kids. World Relief, a global organization with offices around the country, including Memphis, will be the final charity highlighted, representing West Tennessee. The feature will direct viewers to a website to learn more about World Relief and how they can get involved in helping immigrants and refugees.

World Relief’s offices across the United States have welcomed 300,000 refugees over the past 40 years and have resettled over 1,300 refugees in Tennessee over last six years. More than 68 million people are displaced worldwide, and World Relief works in 20 countries in the areas of refugee assistance, disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding. 

World Relief offers refugees in the United States a variety of services and programs, including housing, medical care, legal services, and education and career counseling. World Relief begins its work with a warm welcome at the airport by a Good Neighbor team of volunteers.

Help us thank Amy Grant for supporting refugees by sharing this graphic on social media! 

Don’t forget to tune in and watch her one-hour musical special — A Tennessee Christmas Monday, December 3, 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT on Hallmark Channel.

Download the PDF version of this press release.

###

About World Relief:

World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that seeks to overcome violence, poverty and injustice. Through love in action, we bring hope, healing and restoration to millions of the world’s most vulnerable women, men and children through vital and sustainable programs in disaster response, health and child development, economic development and peacebuilding, as well as refugee and immigration services in the U.S. For 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities, currently across more than 20 countries, to provide relief from suffering and help people rebuild their lives.

Learn more at worldrelief.org.