Staff Reflections
10 Reasons to Give Thanks Around the World
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be people of hope — to “know the hope to which [Jesus] has called [us]” (Eph. 1:18) and to “hold unswervingly” to it (Heb. 10:23). How, then, can we cultivate and embody hope even in the midst of the world’s suffering?
According to some experts, the answer is simple: gratitude.
Gratitude is one of the strongest predictors of hopefulness, and it’s scriptural. Giving thanks in all circumstances helps draw our focus back to Jesus and his past, present and future faithfulness — not ignoring suffering, but seeing it in light of a God who has promised to transform ashes to beauty and wipe away every tear.
Today, we invite you to join our staff around the world in giving thanks for how God is still working to transform lives and communities through the local church. Will you cultivate hope with us?
1. Burundi
“We are thankful that, with God’s help, we have equipped and mobilized 60 local churches in Nyarusange district to serve their communities, including providing support to 30 people considered to be most vulnerable because they are living with disabilities, orphaned or widowed.
“Churches also distributed 30 chickens to 144 households. The chickens will be able to multiply and provide eggs for eating and selling. Our church network in Nyarusange was even ranked at the provincial level as the number three most active and committed network caring for the most vulnerable!” — Cesalie Nicimpaye, World Relief Burundi Country Director
2. Cambodia
“We are grateful for 53 Kids’ Clubs with over 1,000 children graduating after finishing our 41-week curriculum focused on developing healthy relationships with God, others and self. We appreciate the 100+ volunteers and church and community leaders who supported this. Moreover, we keep praising God for helping our Savings for Life program members grow their savings and improve their financial well-being.” — Romroth Chuon, World Relief Cambodia Program Operations Director
3. DR Congo
“I am most grateful for the field office staff God has called to be part of World Relief DRC. They are beyond dedicated to serving the people of DR Congo and creating change in their country. With grit and prayer, they have pushed through seemingly insurmountable challenges.
“This year, we reached nearly 165,000 individuals with valuable food security resources, we started a new Families for Life program to rebuild marriage relationships through the local church, and we grew our new Church Empowerment Zone in Ituri Province despite security challenges. Numbers alone do not do the DRC program justice — it is the people, the team, who are the measure of success.” — Amanda Patterson, Program Officer, Humanitarian and Disaster Response Unit in DR Congo and South Sudan
4. Haiti
“We are grateful to God for the 440 new youth who joined the second year of the agri-business project in the southeast region of Haiti. We are also grateful to have 105 direct beneficiaries of our housing project, implemented in partnership with Habitat for Humanity in response to those affected by the earthquake on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes.” — Pascal Bimenyimana, World Relief Haiti Country Director
5. Kenya
“We are grateful that God has blessed Kenya to partner with 489 churches engaging 5,305 volunteers to share on reproductive and sexual-health related messages to 157,271 families in three counties.” — Nancy Owola, World Relief Kenya Monitoring and Evaluation Manager
6. Malawi
“I thank God for what we have managed to accomplish this year, especially through our Families for Life program, which helps strengthen marriages and give families the tools they need to thrive. This year, we have transformed 19,424 couples in our five Church Empowerment Zones! We are celebrating and thanking God for these transformations because we believe that if we transform a couple — if we transform a family — we are going to transform a local church, and the local church is going to transform the community. If the community is transformed, then we are going to transform Malawi.” — Jane Lumanga, Former World Relief Malawi Director of Programs
7. Rwanda
“Through our Savings for Life program, we are grateful to have reached 9,479 community members through 390 new saving groups — 14 of which are digital — with financial inclusion resources and training in key economic development modules such as Financial Literacy and Business Development, Smart Spending and Deciding Together. This is impacting close to 40,000 vulnerable people across the program area — thank you, God!” – Michael Ntambara, World Relief Rwanda Impact and Quality Director
8. South Sudan
“In South Sudan, we’re thankful to God for the work of our SCOPE Health Promoters and local church partners. Together, we have assisted 10,568 children under five with immunizations and treatments for malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia. We have also helped refer 3,213 mothers to health facilities for maternal services. But my favorite is the number of babies delivered with support from our health promoters — 601 new babies! We pray that by God’s grace, these babies will grow up to have a good life in South Sudan.” — Hillary Muni, World Relief South Sudan Area Coordinator
9. Sudan
“We are thankful to God for uniquely granting World Relief Sudan with wisdom to provide solutions for water shortages in the Jabel Marra region through the construction of six check dams. This year, the dams have harnessed enough water for domestic use in over 35,000 households, as well as for fruit farming.
“We are also thankful that God has enabled us to distribute 58,355 metric tons of food to 430,000 Internally Displaced People (IDP) and returnees across three Sudanese states in Sudan, and provide primary health care services to 459,748 IDPs, returnees and host community members in the Darfur region.” — Stephen Gatimu, World Relief Sudan Program Director
10. U.S.
“We are grateful that God has raised up 873 churches and 8,430 volunteers this year to help us welcome refugees and immigrants across the U.S. — whether Afghans escaping the Taliban, Ukrainians fleeing war or individuals and families from around the world looking for safety and an opportunity to thrive. We are especially thankful that 1,600 individuals have been reunited with family members, many after enduring long separations from spouses, children, parents and siblings.” — Mandy Barb, Senior Director of U.S. Programs
Join us in giving more people more reasons to give thanks this holiday season.
Liberty and Justice for All: A Citizenship Story
On September 17, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services invites “Americans to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and what it means to be a U.S. citizen” as part of an annual Citizenship Day observance. This year, we’re celebrating citizenship and the stability it can bring to those who have been displaced by sharing Aimee’s story.Â
For the first 24 years of her life, Aimee had no citizenship at all. Born as a refugee in the Republic of Congo and resettled in the U.S. at the age of 15, living without citizenship felt like a continual search for permanence — until July 2, 2022 when she became a naturalized U.S. citizen. Finally, Aimee has a country to call her own!
On the World Relief Western Washington blog, Aimee shares what citizenship means to her and how she plans to use her new nationality to continue serving displaced people around the world.
Do you want to help more people like Aimee Pave the Path to a brighter, more secure future? Whether helping displaced people rebuild their lives, building peace in divided communities or finding sustainable solutions for families impacted by climate change, you can be a part of creating lasting change around the world when you join The Path, our community of monthly givers.Â
From Welcomed to Welcomer
At the end of April, World Relief will celebrate National Volunteer Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the impact and power of volunteers to “tackle society’s greatest challenges, build stronger communities and be a force that transforms the world.”
Last year, World Relief engaged 8,430 volunteers and 873 church partners in the U.S. to welcome and walk alongside their refugee and immigrant neighbors. Today, Todun Afolabi, World Relief’s U.S. Volunteer Engagement Manager, shares her own journey from welcomed to welcomer.
The Ministry of Welcoming
When I think about God’s heart for welcoming strangers, I think of Ruth and Naomi’s story in the Bible.
Naomi was the mother of Mahlon, Ruth’s first husband. Naomi’s family had traveled to Moab because of famine in Judah. While displaced from their homeland, Mahlon met and married Ruth, a Moabite. But when Mahlon and his father died, Ruth and Naomi returned to Judah as widows.Â
Naomi knew what it was like to be a stranger in a foreign land, and she was instrumental in helping Ruth resettle in Judah. She showed her how to secure food and, eventually, even connected her with her future husband, Boaz. Through Naomi’s care and advice, Ruth was able to establish a new home.
Needing a Naomi
For me, welcoming newcomers is ministry — and it’s personal.
When I was a stranger in a foreign land, there were many “Naomis” who spoke into my life and helped me adjust to my new home. I’ve learned that you can’t downplay the role of God in your life, especially in how he connects people and brings them together.
In 2011, my husband and I came to the U.S. from Nigeria as newlywed graduate students. As a couple, we couldn’t stay on campus, so we found a small apartment. At the time, we didn’t have enough money for furniture. We were just glad to have a roof over our heads.
We soon started attending a local church, and one of the pastors asked how we were adjusting and if we needed anything. I was hesitant to acknowledge how little we had and how far from home we felt, but we couldn’t hide our needs.
Later that week, I was amazed when the pastor called and asked if we were home. Within minutes, this truck drove up with chairs, a table, a dining room set — everything needed to make the apartment into a home for us.
That was the first of many ways the church surrounded us and helped us through our early years in the U.S. — and as a married couple! Our first car was donated to us by the church. They helped us cover rent expenses when money got a little too tight. When I got pregnant with our first child, they bought maternity and baby clothes and celebrated with us when our son was born.
I think God allowed me to experience the church’s welcome first-hand so I could understand how important it is. They showed us the heart of Christ. Now in my position at World Relief, that same heart motivates me to help others welcome newcomers the way I was welcomed.
Becoming a Naomi
When I joined World Relief as the Chicagoland Church and Volunteer Coordinator in Dupage-Aurora in 2018, it was an opportunity to become a Naomi for others.
I remember meeting a young woman who had recently arrived in the U.S. from Rwanda, and I was telling her my story — how I came and what had happened in my life since. She told me, “If you can do it, then I can,” and I said, “Yes! It’s possible. It’s really possible!”
It’s powerful to see that lightbulb go off, to see the encouragement and the hope that comes when someone realizes that they can do this — and that they don’t have to do it alone. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping the welcomers know and express the heart of God for strangers.
I wanted to keep bridging the gap between churches, volunteers and newcomers not just in Chicagoland, but across the country. In 2021, I transitioned to a role with World Relief’s Home Office as the U.S. Mobilization Specialist and now, I’m the U.S. Volunteer Engagement Manager.
In each of these roles, I’ve seen the mutual transformation that happens when churches and volunteers work together with their newcomer neighbors to welcome them — just like I was welcomed.
Welcome is for Everyone
At World Relief, we want to make room for everyone to be a part of welcoming newcomers, and I’m especially excited to invite those who have immigrant stories like me to volunteer with us. We can play an important role in being Naomis to our new neighbors, helping them adjust and adapt, just like we did.
It was a Naomi in my life who introduced me to volunteering. I started helping at a local food pantry and discovered that it was a good way to give back, but also an opportunity for me to build relationships and integrate. I realized it was a way for me, as an immigrant, to say, “This is my community now, too.”
I’ve learned that — whether you’re an immigrant, refugee, asylum seeker, a church partner or anyone else in the community — you have something to give. Even if it’s an hour a week or giving someone a ride to an appointment, those things really have an impact. I know because they had an impact on me!
Volunteering is where we get to bridge the gap between the heart of Christ and the needs of our community.
I look at my experience and see God’s hand in all of it — in the way I was welcomed and the way I now get to help others welcome. I’m grateful for this ministry God has given us at World Relief, and I’m grateful to have churches, volunteers, neighbors and people like you ministering together with me.
Do you want to create lasting change alongside passionate, mission-driven coworkers like Todun? World Relief is growing our team to meet the increased needs of our world, and we’re looking for people like you to join us.
Todun Afolabi joined World Relief in 2018 and currently serves as the US Volunteer Engagement Manager. With a background in law, she is passionate about humanitarian efforts and engaging communities in their stories of change.
Work at World Relief
For many of us, the last few years have been characterized by a deep sense of chaos, uncertainty and injustice. As suffering across the globe appears to be worsening, you’ve likely asked yourself, how can I respond in a meaningful way?
You’ve likely thought about your career path and wondered how you can make an impact in the face of the increasing suffering and injustice we see in this world every day.
Perhaps you’re wondering whether what you do really matters, or if your work is contributing to this world in a positive way.
Maybe you love what you do, but a new, or renewed, sense of purpose is calling you to a different space — one in which you can grow your talents while also standing up for the rights of the vulnerable and speaking out with the marginalized, exploited and forgotten.
Or perhaps you’re at a crossroads, challenging yourself to take a leap into the unknown, uncertain but driven above all else by a missional heart and desire to put your faith into action.
If this sounds like you, World Relief, and millions of people around the globe, need you.
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that is fighting for change that lasts, right here in the U.S. and across the globe. We bring sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems — from disasters to extreme poverty, violence, oppression, mass displacement and immigration.
For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and communities in more than 100 countries to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable. At this pivotal moment in time, World Relief is rapidly expanding and growing our team to meet the increasing needs of our world, and we want you to join us!
When you work at World Relief, you can expect:
- A strong sense of everyday purpose and impact as you witness lives transformed daily and hear incredible stories of hope from around the world.
- We’ve been living in a season where the problems in the news have caused many people I know to become discouraged, even despondent. But in our work, we get to witness good-news stories every day. We get to witness the ways that churches and communities are working together to bring hope and healing in places all around this country and across the globe.
Even in the bleakest circumstances, there are stories of God’s love in action through the staff, volunteers and financial partners of World Relief. I love the feeling that I work at a place where what I do truly matters; my work truly makes a positive change in the lives of hurting people. – Kimberly Hurst, Strategic Partnerships Director, Northwest.
- We’ve been living in a season where the problems in the news have caused many people I know to become discouraged, even despondent. But in our work, we get to witness good-news stories every day. We get to witness the ways that churches and communities are working together to bring hope and healing in places all around this country and across the globe.
- A highly relational and collaborative environment, surrounded by colleagues to learn from, be inspired by and foster friendships with.
- “This organization is just packed full of goodness. Each day I am surrounded by women and men with huge hearts, deep integrity and a deep thoughtfulness and intentionality that makes working alongside them a true joy. World Relief is very much a people-first environment and I have been incredibly blessed by that stance both personally and professionally.” – Francesca Albano, Sr. Dr. of Brand & Marketing
- A commitment to best practices and excellence in our work, as well as the ability to think creatively and bring new solutions to complex problems.
- I’ve found that World Relief’s collective passion extends beyond the local church and vulnerable newcomers whom we serve in the U.S. We’re passionate about who we are becoming, individually and as an organization. As we’re beginning to operationalize that passion, I think now is an excellent time and opportunity to step into this journey and behold God’s steady hand in shaping and revealing, with authentic diversity, this branch of his beloved family. – Travis Barnwell, MSW, Director of Case Management Services
- A thoughtful, faithful commitment to God’s leading through work grounded in prayer, spiritual discussion and obedient improvisation, as well as opportunities to develop and grow your individual faith.
- “Since working at World Relief, my relationships with God, with myself, with my family and others have been transformed beyond belief. Areas of my life which I struggled with in the past have been restored… I know who I am… all the assets in the world cannot compensate for such newly built confidence in myself and in Our Loving Father.” – Esther Pyram, Integral Mission and Church Empowerment Zone Manager, Haiti
If you’re one of the many people feeling like you need to do more for our broken world, here’s your chance. In the midst of the chaos, there is still hope — God has a plan and you can be a part of it. We are looking for people just like you who want to use their gifts and talents to make a real and tangible difference in our world and the lives of the suffering.
Will you apply to work at World Relief today?
Liberty and Justice for All
| “I can finally say I am a citizen of a country” Over a week has gone by and many of us have left the celebrations of July 4th behind, just the annual memories of fireworks, grilling out, and a patriotic wave of the American flag to honor of our country’s independence. But for some, like Aimee, “July 4th will always be a day to be remembered.” It is a day of personal freedom – the day she received her US citizenship. Decades back, Aimee’s mother fled the genocide in Rwanda, making it to the Republic of Congo where Aimee was born and raised with her four brothers. It was the only place she had known, but lacked a sense of permanence as they carried the status of “refugee” instead of “citizen.” After 15 years of life in Congo, Aimee and her family finally were approved to resettle in the U.S. in 2013. “When we first moved here, it wasn’t easy to call home. We were always searching for home,” shared Aimee, “moving here was like being born again – having to learn everything – from learning the language to learning the culture. It wasn’t easy for all of us.” Through the uncomfortable and awkward transition of being “born again,” World Relief walked with Aimee and her family, supporting school enrollment, finding housing, and offering English classes. Fast forward a few years, and Aimee has her bachelor’s degree in psychology and works at World Relief Western Washington as an extended case management caseworker; “I wanted to give back for what I received. I want to help refugees when they come here because I can put myself in their shoes.” A dream of hers has been to support displaced people living in refugee camps throughout the world, but citizenship and ease of travel has always been a barrier – until July 4, 2022. Last Monday, after months of studying for the interview and exam, Aimee became a naturalized U.S. citizen – a person with legal permanent resident status, who has made the choice to become a citizen and has fulfilled the requirements established by Congress. |
| Becoming a citizen provides more opportunities for things like travel and work; “A passport isn’t just a piece of paper, but it means I can travel to other countries and serve others,” shared Aimee. But citizenship also allows for greater influence stateside, like the right to vote and have a voice in the formation of our communities. Aimee is particularly excited about her newfound suffrage; “I am super excited about being able to vote. I like to advocate for people’s rights but I never got to do it… I never got to express my opinion in that way.” The work of guiding immigrants through the citizenship application process is an act of justice, one our Immigration Legal Services team has been engaging in for decades. We have offered citizenship classes in the past, and now our team manages cases one by one as they offer specialized representation and citizenship application support for qualified individuals. In 2021, our team in King County worked with 826 people from 73 different countries, as they supported different immigration needs, like Aimee’s naturalization process. “I can finally say I am a citizen of a country!” she declared after 24 years without any citizenship. To learn more about the scope of our legal services and how you can best advocate for those pursuing citizenship, visit our website below. |
Liz Meyer Hett is World Relief Western Washington’s Communications Coordinator and serves her local offices with unified branding, content creation, and digital marketing. She has passions for organization, design, and connecting people.
Another Kind of Independence
The string of firecrackers detonated in a profusion of noise, flashes and flying bits of paper—a common enough scene, repeated countless times around the country this past Fourth of July as Americans celebrated their nation’s independence.
What was less common about this particular pyrotechnic display was that the fuse wasn’t lit by an American at all, but by a young Guatemalan mother who had arrived in Bellingham just two weeks prior via the US Refugee Admissions Program.
She beamed as she walked away from the firecrackers, lighter in hand—clearly a fan of loud noises and small explosions. This mother, along with her husband and three young kids, had spent the day celebrating with new friends in a new country, facing a new reality set out before her family. A memorable Independence Day indeed.
The next day, this family showed up at our World Relief office location in Bellingham to pursue a different sort of independence. Joining together with several other refugee families, they came to attend our Family Literacy program in Whatcom County.
Designed to help parents and kids pursue English literacy side-by-side, the Family Literacy Program has already been a great success in King County and we are thrilled to offer a pilot version of the class this summer while we grow our fledgling resettlement program in Whatcom County.
The independence that English literacy offers to families like this may not be as loud and flashy as a string of firecrackers, but its effects will be felt for generations to come.
Steven Shetterly has been managing World Relief’s efforts in opening a resettlement office location in Bellingham (Whatcom County), Washington since 2021. Steven has several years of ESL teaching experience, both in the United States as well as overseas, and has been involved in cross-cultural work in one capacity or another for most of his adult life. Steven has a BA in Spanish and Political Science from Western Washington University, an MA in TESOL from Wheaton College.
Part of the Journey: Interning at WRQC
Many local college graduates get their start by interning at World Relief Quad Cities. Sloane is excited to follow in the footsteps of Augie alumni and make a difference in her community.
Why I Chose World Relief Quad Cities
When looking for internship opportunities, I wanted to find something that would be challenging and rewarding. World Relief Quad Cities fits both of those requirements.
I am interning in the Afghan Placement and Assistance Program (APA) and Communications teams at World Relief QC. I am going to be a senior at Augustana College majoring in Multimedia Journalism Mass Communication and Creative Writing.
Like a lot of people my age, I’m still very unsure of what I want to do after next year. I wanted to find an internship that could offer new experiences and new skills I may have not encountered before. A lot of people from Augustana College intern or even work at WRQC! I had to join the team because everyone had such great experiences.
Since I am interning for two departments, I will be doing a lot of things! The main ones I can think of are working with individuals, paperwork, home visits, interviews with families and clients, and probably a lot more! I’m excited to get started and to start really helping out the individuals that come to the United States.
Building Bonds that Last
In APA, I have already gotten to go on a few home visits. While we are there, we make sure they are comfortable in their home and if they have any questions (like how to use the stove, for example).
It’s really cool to meet and talk with the families in person and build a bond with them. Paperwork is a big part of APA but getting to see these people in person instead of on paper is amazing.
I am excited to be a part of the journey for them and making sure they are comfortable and on a path to success, whether that means self-sufficiency, getting a job, or just getting settled! Helping people is one of my passions and I think this is just a great opportunity I am grateful to have. My goal is to make everyone feel welcome and spread awareness for World Relief Quad Cities and the amazing things this group has to offer.
Interning with World Relief Quad Cities is an impactful way to gain real-world experience and prep for your career. Just fill out a form and attach your resume to apply.
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 people’s stories and bring more awareness through her writing.
A Look Into Casework: Marci Arreguin
Many local college graduates get their start by interning at World Relief Quad Cities. After her internship, Marci stayed on the team to become a caseworker.
Intern to Caseworker
Marci Arreguin is a caseworker at World Relief in the Quad Cities. Just recently, she graduated from Augustana College and majored in Public Health and minored in Women and Gender Studies. Just like me, Marci started as an intern here.
While at school, someone from World Relief came to speak to one of her classes.
“Right after that, I knew that is what I wanted to do,” Arreguin said.
Arreguin was ecstatic when she was chosen to intern for WRQC. She started interning in August 2021 for the first semester of school for her Public Health major. She included World Relief in her senior year project and came up with ideas on how to help out welcoming processes for the families at the airports.
After the internship ended, she started working part time. Now, she’s a caseworker.
What a Caseworker Does
There is a whole process for new arrivals of families and individuals. Each one works with a caseworker just like Marci.
I asked her to explain the process and tasks of being a caseworker.
“It all starts from the airport arrival,” she says.
Before a family arrives, there are people working behind the scenes to set up their homes so they can move in right away. Sometimes, if the home is not ready yet, the family stays in a hotel for a short period of time.
Moving into a new home in a new country is an unsettling experience. Arreguin described how she helps: “We ask them if there is anything they need or if they have any questions when they get settled in. But, basically, we make sure they feel welcome in their new home.”
The day after arrival is very important for a caseworker and the families. It’s a day where the caseworker really gets to introduce themselves and create a bond with the families. However, there’s a lot of paperwork involved. The caseworkers set up the families with WRQC’s core services, like English classes.
Arreguin explained some other tasks. She takes them to their appointments, makes sure they have food, or makes sure they have things they need like WiFi or a phone. One key task is “just being there for them.”
“We are the people that they can rely on because some people come and know no one. Just making sure that they know that you are there for them. That’s my favorite part of the job,” she said.
The Goal
Like all things, there is always a goal you are striving for. There is an outcome you hope for.
The goal of casework, Arreguin said, is “to make sure that you can prepare them well enough so that when they are out of the program, or when they can, they will be able to go out into the world and live in the U.S. This is how I think about it: if they don’t know how to do something, we have to be the ones to help them, teach them, and to be there to mentor them.”
Caseworkers are there to make sure they are comfortable and set up on a path to self-sufficiency and settlement. Just like Arreguin said, they are the mentors.
From her experience this far in casework, she has observed something crucial. Because the families put so much trust into their caseworkers, “you have to be someone that they can trust.”
Her favorite part of casework is helping clients, and most importantly seeing them grow. Eventually, they settle in, become independent, and do things on their own.
Caseworkers help every step of the way while the families adjust to the U.S. After the family’s program is finished, caseworkers get to see and hear about the amazing accomplishments these families have achieved, all thanks to them and WRQC.
Interning with World Relief Quad Cities is an impactful way to gain real-world experience and prep for your career. Just fill out a form and attach your resume to apply.
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 people’s stories and bring more awareness through her writing.
June Reflections from World Relief Memphis Staff
This past month was a busy one for World Relief offices around the globe as we all celebrated Immigrant Heritage Month, World Refugee Awareness Month, World Refugee Day, and Juneteenth. Here at World Relief Memphis our theme for the month of June was “Learning Never Stops.” Yes, summer is a time away from school, and for many, a time of rest and vacations, but we feel that learning and growing is something that we can and should be doing all year long.
To live out our theme, we made our monthly staff meeting a time of learning and reflection from our fellow coworkers. Several of our staff members shared with their peers their experience and thoughts on what Immigrant Heritage Month, World Refugee Awareness Month, World Refugee Day, and Juneteenth means to them and how they have impacted their lives.
Oscar Cruz, Employment Specialist, told the office his experience as an immigrant from Honduras and what thoughts Immigrant Heritage Month brings up for him. For Oscar, this month makes him think of his parents and what they have taught him. “My parents always taught me to respect the traditions of each individual.” Living in the U.S., it is not hard to find people who have differing traditions than you. That is one of the beautiful things about America, you can always learn something new and be exposed to traditions from all over the world. “As a Honduran, our most popular traditions are grilling out with friends, soups on Sundays, and baleadas”. Being able to continue his traditions and learn new ones is a way he shows, “the importance of loving our neighbors.”
Clarence Williams, also an Employment Specialist, shared what Juneteenth has meant to him over the years. He explained that his “family celebrated July 4th as Juneteenth for many years.” He remembers his mother telling him that, “July 4th is great for fireworks but we were not free.” From a young age, his parents used Juneteenth as a time for celebration but also a place to impart life lessons to their children. Clarence recalls three main points his parents taught him that he has now passed on to his children:
- Believe what people show you in their actions. You cannot change how people treat you. It is not your job is not to try to convince them of anything.
- Be in control of your actions. God will freely forgive you of your wrong doings, but sometimes consequences will remain.
- Give and don’t lend to others. If you can’t give without looking for a return, then keep it in your pocket.
Clarence recalls that his father was only able to obtain a sixth-grade education. Yet, he taught him that freedom and responsibility always go together.
Lydia Milton, Volunteer Coordinator, also shared her thoughts on Juneteenth. “Juneteenth is a time for us to celebrate our freedom as African Americans. Although there’s still a lot of work we are working towards, we can stop and celebrate how far we’ve come.” There is a lot of history in the Black community that has not been widely known or celebrated amongst all peoples in the U.S. What Lydia shared is a great piece of advice to sit with. While not all is perfect, pieces are continued to be moved in the right direction.
Mahasin Tutu and Basuze Madogo both shared their experience as refugees and immigrants in the states and what World Refugee Day means to them. Mahasin, Holistic Support Specialist, came to the U.S. as a child with her family from Sudan. She describes growing up in the States with a Sudanese family is like getting to live in two worlds. She said, “it can be a beautiful thing, but its hard when the cultures clash.” Even though it can be hard at times to navigate, she loves her family, “and the people who have become family.”
Basuze came to the U.S. later in life and has made the full circle journey from becoming a refugee, resettling in Memphis, to now working as a Resettlement Specialist. He shared the importance of World Refugee Day becoming official on a personal and global scale. It shows that the struggle and the celebration of refugees is being acknowledged and given a voice. Basuze brought to attention the UNHCR’s theme for World Refugee Day this year, “Whoever. Wherever. Whenever. Everyone has the Right to Seek Safety.” He felt that this theme spoke to the discrimination that is seen even amongst the refugee community. Though all those who are refugees are fleeing from similar circumstances, it has become clear that the rhetoric and actions taken by many regarding recent more Eurocentric refugees fleeing have been vastly different compared to refugees from other areas. The UNHCR theme helps share the truth of all who are seeking safety are important, valued, and loved.
After hearing these meaningful messages from our staff, we see the importance and the value of continued learning in our office and in the world as a whole. Taking the time to talk to our neighbors and learn their stories is a small but significant step forward in developing understanding, empathy, and deeper relationships between the community around us.
Author: Kara Spencer
Communication Coordinator at World Relief Memphis, recent graduate of Harding University, and Memphis native.
We hope you were able to continue your learning this month and grow your understanding and appreciation for the Memphis community.
If you would like to learn more about World Relief Memphis in the coming months, follow us on social media and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on events and volunteer opportunities.
If you are interested in volunteering join us for one of our monthly volunteer orientations:
If you are searching for an opportunity to begin making a bigger impact, join our new monthly giving program, The Path, for exclusive updates, virtual events, prayer chains, and stories of hope from the women, men, and children whose lives you change.
Becoming a US Citizen Removes a Barrier to Justice.
Celebrating the 4th of July for a naturalized citizen can have a different flavor. It is an indescribable feeling of pride, freedom, and belonging. A naturalized citizen is a person with legal permanent resident status, who has made the choice to become a US citizen. Specifically, he or she has fulfilled the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).
Becoming a citizen provides more opportunity and influence. For example, the right to vote and having a voice in the formations of the communities we share. And while citizens are able to contribute in unique ways they also have greater access to support and resources.
The work of guiding immigrants through the citizenship application process is an act of justice. By removing this barrier to influence and resources, we create an environment where everyone benefits and everyone can thrive.
Serving Future US Citizens
The US Department of Justice recognizes World Relief’s Immigration Legal Services department to practice immigration law. Therefore, our trained staff can represent qualified individuals with their applications in front of the US Department of Homeland Security.
Since the 1990s, World Relief Chicagoland has proudly assisted thousands of people to become US citizens. A few years later, in 2005, we began offering group application clinics. We are thankful for the churches that host the clinics and the volunteers who work tirelessly. They inspire us.
World Relief is committed to offering high-quality immigration legal services at a low cost through a wide range of support, including federal, state, and private partnerships. Additionally, we would not be able to do this work without the support of the community of advocates, volunteers, and donors.
We enjoy witnessing the new sense of excitement and hope in the July 4th celebrations. For new citizens, hanging flags outside their homes, buying 4th of July attire, and attending parades are significant moments. And seeing Independence Day through the eyes of a family that has been reunited, or a refugee who fled persecution is incredibly inspiring. Therefore, we remember July 4th is more than a holiday. It is a day to witness hope and a sense of belonging again in the eyes of people who have persevered.
A Snapshot of the Impact
Through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Immigrant Legal Services managed to assist 649 immigrants in becoming naturalized citizens, from 01/2020 to 06/2022. Consequently, these immigrants, including refugees and asylees, became citizens and swore the Oath of Allegiance to the United States. Remarkably, these new American citizens represented 79 countries and a wide range of ages. For instance, 162 were children, the youngest applicant was 5 years old, and our oldest applicant was 83 years old. And, of the total population, 52% were women.
How You Can Help
As with many areas of justice for refugees and other immigrants, the need is often greater than our own capacity. However, we know you are committed to fighting that good fight to become a welcoming community. Therefore, becoming a trained volunteer to serve in Citizenship Clinics or supporting the work of World Relief through joining the Path, is a great next step. In conclusion, we can help remove the barriers that many refugees and immigrants face to finding the unique belonging of being a US Citizen.
Susan Sosa Bachmeier is the Senior Immigrant Legal Services Specialist for World Relief Chicagoland, Aurora office. She provides direct legal counsel and representation to refugees, asylees, and immigrants seeking administrative benefits, including family reunifications, adjustment of status (green card), and naturalization. Susan is fully accredited to represent clients before the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and Department of Justice.
She started her career at World Relief in 2006 as an intern. Additionally, she proudly became a U.S. citizen in 2015. Susan serves her community as a Commissioner for the Human Relations Commission of the City of Aurora. She is an immigrant herself, born and raised in Callao, Peru. Additionally, Susan has a bachelor’s in Sociology from Aurora University and a Certificate in Homeland Security from the College of DuPage.
Read More
MarĂa’s Story: Letter from a New U.S. Citizen