Posts Tagged ‘World Relief’
World Relief Cup 2023
“When I walked into World Relief, I received way more than what I expected.”
—Bertrand
Celebrating World Refugee Month
Bertrand, a Career Pathways Coordinator, shared his experience at the World Relief Cup, as a participant who was resettled through our office.
“When I look back at my journey as a participant being resettled by World Relief, I am humbled and will forever be grateful for the opportunity for a fresh start…Today I am [able to be] World Relief to new famil[ies] walking through our doors. There are many great resettlement organizations out there but only a few do this work from a posture of servants and advocates.”
Bertrand shared his story as an asylee and being a recipient of the Match Grant program. He expressed his deep gratitude to the people who partnered with him from World Relief, like his case worker Jacob and the employment team.
As a staff member, he is proud to have the opportunity to now walk alongside participants on “the road to independence and a holistic self-sufficiency”.
We are so grateful to have individuals Bertrand on the World Relief team! Bringing his experience to his work, he is a part of creating lasting change for every refugee and immigrant.
More from the World Relief Cup
Through soccer, the Cup engaged the community in supporting refugees and immigrants. With the sponsorship and commitment of the community, we hosted a soccer tournament on June 10th to celebrate World Refugee Month! There were 11 teams with around 120 players who participated; including teams from local resettlement agencies, community leagues and our own World Relief Team.
While it was a drizzly morning, there was an amazing turnout! People came out in support of their friends, teams, and the work of resettlement through World Relief. Many people were engaged in conversation with members of our staff, getting to know our mission and vision. Many teams had players who have experienced resettlement as well as teams from other services organizations, like the International Rescue Committee.
People experienced World Relief through a unifying sport, having the chance to interact with others from across cultures and the community.
2023 World Relief Cup Champions
Congratulations to Cultures FC and their win!
2nd Place: Jake for a Cause | 3rd Place: Seattle Flounders
A Prayer for Refugees
On June 14, a ship carrying migrants bound for Europe capsized in the Mediterranean Sea. Despite search and rescue efforts, hundreds are feared dead.
Even as we celebrate the strength and resilience of refugees this World Refugee Day, we lament that, for so many people seeking safety and a more hopeful future in a new land, the route is often marked by unnecessary hardship and trauma.
At World Relief, we are mourning with those who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, and we pray that God would give us the courage to not look away.
Will you join us in praying for refugees and those seeking safety around the world?
Father, I still my heart and mind to focus on you. Speak, your child is listening.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Read: “The Lord your God is supreme over all gods and over all powers. He is great and mighty, and he is to be obeyed. He does not show partiality, and he does not accept bribes. He makes sure that orphans and widows are treated fairly; he loves the foreigners who live with our people, and gives them food and clothes. So then, show love for those foreigners, because you were once foreigners in Egypt.” — Deuteronomy 10: 17-19 (GNT)
How wonderful and powerful you are, Lord. Help me to reflect you and love like you.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Today, I pray for those who are vulnerable and who may not be able to see your might and presence in their lives at this moment. I pray for those fleeing violence, wars and persecution; be their guide and comfort. For the millions of refugees around the world, waiting for justice and a new home.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
I pray for my city and community. May it be a place of safety, support and solace for those in distress.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Lord, I think about our nation’s leaders and government. May they use their positions of power to work towards justice and righteousness.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
I pray for your church, that it would be a city on a hill, shining bright as a beacon for all who seek a new and better way.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
Lastly, I stand firm, covered with the armor of God, and pray against the work of the enemy, who comes to kill, steal and destroy.
(Pause in silence and prayer)
I offer this prayer to you and declare that yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
World Relief Applauds Bipartisan Introduction of the Dignity Act
May 23, 2023
CONTACT:
Pinkston Team
wr@pinkston.co
Today, a bipartisan group of congressional leaders led by Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX) introduced the Dignity Act – a broad immigration reform bill that would include an earned path to legal status for qualifying undocumented immigrants with the option to pursue naturalization, an expedited path to citizenship for Dreamers, and reforms to border security and asylum processing.
World Relief celebrates the introduction of this bipartisan bill. As will be the case in any carefully-negotiated consensus legislation, we may have concerns with some elements of the bill, but we are encouraged by this good-faith, bipartisan process that includes many of World Relief’s longstanding immigration policy priorities.
“Legislative reforms to the entire U.S. immigration system are long overdue, but the only path toward broad, durable reforms is through bipartisan cooperation. I’m thankful to Rep. Salazar, Rep. Escobar and the other original cosponsors of this bill for doing the hard work of forging consensus across the partisan lines that for decades have stymied real reforms from passing into law,” said Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief. “Consistent with the biblical conviction that all human beings are made in the image of God with inherent dignity and potential, the Dignity Act would allow undocumented immigrants to earn permanent legal status and eventual citizenship if they pay a fine and meet other requirements. I pray that both Republicans and Democrats in Congress will come to the negotiation table to finally realize reforms that both secure our borders and show compassion to immigrants.”
The bill stands in contrast to a partisan bill that narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month, H.R. 2, which would dramatically roll back existing legal protections for asylum seekers and for unaccompanied children in ways that World Relief believes are morally unacceptable. But unlike a partisan bill that has no chance of being signed into law in the current Congress, the bipartisan Dignity Act addresses the policy priorities of both Republicans and Democrats. We urge members of Congress in both parties to take this bill as a starting point for further negotiation, and urge the Biden administration to play a constructive role in convening good-faith negotiations as well.
As a global Christian humanitarian organization with a long history of partnering with evangelical churches to welcome immigrants to the U.S., World Relief encourages Christians to use their voices to advocate for long-overdue immigration reforms. A study by Lifeway Research last year found that 78% of American evangelicals support proposals that “would both increase border security measures and establish a process so that those immigrants in the U.S. unlawfully could earn permanent legal status and eventually apply for citizenship if they pay a fine, pass a criminal background check, and complete other requirements
during a probationary period.” That represents a 12% increase since 2015. Notably, only 15% of American evangelicals would oppose such a proposal.
“We’ve advocated, mobilized local churches and prayed for many years for many of the policies included within this bill,” observed Matthew Soerens, Vice President of Advocacy and Policy for World Relief. “We’re not naive to the political challenges ahead in forging consensus in a time of deep partisan divides, but we also believe in a God for whom nothing is impossible. We’re both praying and mobilizing for the day when a broad, bipartisan reform, including an earned pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, is signed into law.”
To learn more about World Relief’s programs around the world, visit worldrelief.org.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
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About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for over 75 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to develop sustainable, locally-driven solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems. To learn more, visit worldrelief.org.
“World Relief Cup” Raises Support for Refugee Resettlement Services
In recognition of World Refugee month in June, World Relief Western Washington is hosting the inaugural World Relief Cup soccer tournament to celebrate the resilience and contributions of local refugees.
The tournament begins at 9 a.m. and the championship games occur at 6:00 p.m. The final awards ceremony and celebration will take place at 7:30 p.m. Individuals and teams can raise support for refugees rebuilding their lives in Western Washington by registering to participate in the tournament or by sponsoring participants.
Saturday, June 10 at Valley Ridge Fields
“As we celebrate the resiliency and courage of those who have been forced to flee their home country, The World Relief Cup event will open up opportunities for different communities to come together,” said Medard Ngueita, the Executive Director of World Relief Western Washington.
“We hope the event will provide an opportunity to not only celebrate together, but to help raise awareness around mass displacement and the need for better integration of our new neighbors.”
Through the World Relief Cup, the Western Washington offices of World Relief aim to increase awareness of the challenges refugees face in the resettlement process and provide support that empowers them to rebuild their lives in their new community. The event will include competitive soccer tournaments, as well as booths, food trucks, and other fun activities that will be open to the community.
“Refugees are our friends and neighbors, and we encourage this community to embrace them as such.”
said Annie Frisbie, Director of Strategic Advancement, World Relief Western Washington.
By offering our support to these new community members as they acclimate and seek to rebuild their lives here in Western Washington, we treat them with the dignity and respect they deserve as individuals made in the image of God.”
Community members are encouraged to participate in the World Relief Cup by volunteering to help with the event, signing up to play with a team, or sponsoring teams or individuals who are participating in the tournament. To register for this event as a team or individual, please visit the World Relief Western Washington events page and reserve a spot: https://worldrelief.org/world-relief-cup
Thurston County Hosts “From Home to Home” Refugee Resettlement Simulation Event
In recognition of the thousands of refugees who are forcibly displaced from their home countries each year, the Thurston County office of World Relief is hosting “From Home to Home” – an experiential exhibit demonstrating the challenges these refugees face when coming to the United States. The event will take place in Olympia on May 19 – May 22, with sessions available both for groups and individuals from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 812 Central St SE. Sessions in the exhibit will simulate the common decisions and difficulties refugees and asylum seekers face on their journey to resettlement.
“Refugees and asylum seekers who are forcibly displaced from their homes have experienced challenges and dangers that many of us cannot begin to comprehend,” said Annie Frisbie, Director of Strategic Advancement. “Through this exhibit, we hope to create awareness of both the trauma of displacement and the difficulties they endure on their journey to the United States. By doing so, we can better work together as a community to ensure those who have experienced such difficulty can find support in Thurston County.”
Through this exhibit, the Thurston County office of World Relief is aiming to increase understanding of the unique vulnerabilities of refugees and asylum seekers who have been forcibly displaced and highlight the need to assist them in rebuilding their lives in the United States. This exhibit to increase awareness is coupled with the office’s continuing work serving displaced individuals in Western Washington by assisting them in securing safe housing and providing cultural orientation services.
“Refugees and asylum seekers need our support to both navigate an unfamiliar culture and an uncertain future in their new homes,” said Annie Frisbie. “They have suffered significant challenges before and during their journey here, but our community has an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love for them by welcoming them with open arms and helping to ease their transition to rebuilding lives in the United States.”
Schools, local businesses, first responders, faith groups, and individuals are all encouraged to participate in the exhibit. To register for this event as a group or an individual, please visit the World Relief Western Washington “From Home to Home” events page and reserve a spot: https://worldrelief.org/from-home-to-home
World Relief Southern California to Host Grand Opening Celebration for New San Diego Office
May 11, 2023
CONTACT:
Pinkston Team
wr@pinkston.co
San Diego, CA – World Relief Southern California will host a grand opening celebration for a new office location in San Diego on Saturday, May 13 at 6565 Balboa Avenue from 11 a.m PST to 1 p.m PST. The new location will complement World Relief’s long-standing office in Orange County by providing services that both welcome immigrants and refugees and empower them to integrate into their new communities.
“World Relief SoCal is thrilled to announce the opening of our new office location in San Diego as we expand our efforts to live out God’s heart for displaced people by creating a community of welcome for our newly arriving neighbors,” said Jane Register, the San Diego Program Director of World Relief Southern California. “At World Relief, we envision a San Diego where refugees and immigrants can thrive and flourish.”
World Relief’s San Diego office will offer case management aid, along with Immigration Legal Services. Additionally, as in all World Relief locations, the new San Diego office will work closely with local churches and volunteers to provide community-based services for immigrant families, including Good Neighbor teams, host homes, tutoring, and mentorship.
“For more than 40 years, World Relief has partnered with local churches to welcome refugees, asylum seekers and other immigrants to Southern California through our Orange County office,” said Aerlande Wontamo, Senior Vice President of US Programs at World Relief. “We’re excited to now have this new physical space from which to serve San Diego County at a time when there is such significant need for those seeking protection, freedom and opportunity in the United States.”
The World Relief San Diego grand opening event will be open to the general public, as well as the press. The celebration is a community-wide grand opening for neighboring businesses as well as the kick-off event for Clairemont’s 2nd Saturdays monthly pop-up shop that features local businesses. It will include food trucks, bounce houses, pop-up shops, and more.
“For the last three years we have been mobilizing San Diego churches to both welcome and walk alongside newly arrived immigrants in the Borderlands of San Diego,” said Heather Kwak, the Office Director of World Relief Southern California. “We are glad to take this next step in opening an additional office location that will allow more communities to welcome new neighbors and meet the needs of the immigrant communities.”
To learn more about World Relief’s work in Southern California and how to get involved, please visit worldrelief.org/socal.
To download a PDF version of this press release, click here.
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About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization whose mission is to empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable. The organization was founded in the aftermath of World War II to respond to the urgent humanitarian needs of war-torn Europe. Since then, for over 75 years, across 100 countries, World Relief has partnered with local churches and communities to develop sustainable, locally-driven solutions to some of the world’s greatest problems. To learn more, visit worldrelief.org.
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?
The Church in Congo
By James Misner and Marcel Serubungo In the Democratic Republic of Congo, some say that you can find all of Africa’s problems: weak national leadership, eroding rule of law, HIV/AIDS and protracted tribal conflict. Warring militias use rape as a weapon of war and perpetrate other human rights violations. Children are stolen, forced to become soldiers and used as proxies between fighting groups.
Congolese civilians are caught in the vicious cycles of conflict and disease. Millions have died as a result. Refugees and internally displaced people number into the millions.
But even in the world’s most war-torn regions, the power of Jesus can overcome the horrors of conflict. After years of warfare, the Church in DR Congo is the only social structure standing. It is the only hope of true peace for survivors of violence.
This is the reality of the Church in DR Congo:
- The Church is traumatized. Many people in the Church have been displaced from their homes. They’ve fled as refugees, survived grave atrocities, lost entire crops and ran through the night in search of safety. Our Christian brothers and sisters in DR Congo face the same situations that their greater communities face — they’re not immune from struggle.
- The Church is resilient. Even in the midst of adversity and unspeakable hardship, the church in DR Congo stands strong! Despite ethnic divisions within the nation, the church builds unity and reconciliation. They’ve refused to give up the pursuit of peace. They continue meeting together, praying together and worshiping God together. In some of the worst poverty and injustice on the planet the church gathers to proclaim the greatness of God! We have much to learn from them as they restore their communities.
- The Church is redeeming suffering. None of us can explain precisely why God allows suffering. But we do know that God redeems it — through his hands and feet, the Church. When a woman survives sexual violence, the Church will take her in, provide food and shelter and help her to care for her children. When cultural norms say that husbands should abandon their wives after rape — the Church works to debunk this lie and to reconcile marriages. The Church stands in the gap and speaks out against this injustice — teaching boys and men that women are created in God’s image and are to be respected and treasured.
Wherever there is suffering in DR Congo – the Church is right there, too. And World Relief is there to empower the Church to fulfill its mission: to bring hope to the hopeless and restore justice to the oppressed. As the people of the Church endure suffering, they faithfully follow in the steps of Jesus – bringing healing to their communities as they themselves are healed.
Would you consider making a gift to empower local churches to prevent further gender-based violence and care for women survivors? All donations will be matched by One Day’s Wages. Your gift will be used to provide medical care and trauma counseling for the victims of sexual violence and to raise community awareness about violence against women. Give today at onedayswages.org/worldrelief.
James and Marcel are both members of the church team at World Relief. James serves as the Global Director of Church Partnership. Marcel serves as the Director of Church Mobilization and Peace Building in DR Congo.
Celebrating World Food Day: Farmers in the Democratic Republic of Congo Fighting Hunger
When fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) reached Viviane’s village, she and her children were forced to flee from their home and into a camp with many other internally displaced people . The camp was crowded with others who also sought refuge from the ongoing violence. Unfortunately, without employment or reliable access to food, they all were at greater risk of suffering from food shortage and hunger.
When Viviane was finally able to return to her home, the extreme challenges of everyday living remained. “We came home with no seeds or farming tools and no money to buy these things,” Viviane said. Although she had the desire to provide for her family in a sustainable way, the violence and displacement left Viviane without the means to begin rebuilding her life.
“But God sent World Relief to help our [farmers’ group] by providing Irish potato seeds, vegetable seeds and farming tools,” said Viviane. In farmers’ groups in the DRC, World Relief equips farmers with tools to begin family farms and the necessary training to make their harvests successful. Farmers are trained in crop diversification, resource management and other ways to increase the productivity of their land.
Viviane’s yields have indeed grown as a result of the support she received when she returned home even though devastation from instability and armed conflict are still felt in large areas of eastern DRC. This year alone, she harvested over 1900 pounds of potatoes, more than four times more than last year! A portion of her earnings will go towards her children’s school fees and to buy other supplies for her family. Next year, Viviane plans to rent a larger plot of land so she can grow even more potatoes.
Because of Viviane’s agricultural skills, she and her family have been able to overcome many of the challenges related to hunger and malnutrition. Viviane has also planted a vegetable garden outside of her home that adds essential vitamins and nutrients to her family’s diet. “This is the first time my family is able to eat three meals a day,” Viviane said, “I praise God for this. May our Lord Jesus bless you all who have helped us during this time and for helping us find a solution for feeding our families.”
Throughout the month of October we’re celebrating World Food Day with farmers like Viviane who are empowered to lead their families out of poverty through agricultural training and development. In DRC, World Relief is empowering local churches and farmers to work together and earn a greater income from their crops. By participating in farmers groups, some of the DRC’s most vulnerable are empowered to sustainably support their families and local economies while laying the building blocks for peace in the midst of the destruction of conflict.
Serving the Most Vulnerable in South Sudan: Nama’s Story
Nama is a mother of four and a member of a local savings group in South Sudan. She first attended one of the weekly meetings with some of her friends. “We felt challenged to save our money,” she said. “At the moment, we did not see the money to save.”
Nama first believed that a humanitarian organization would provide loans to members of the group. When she and her friends found out that members actually loaned money to one another from within their own pooled resources, several people declined joining. Nama, however, wanted to learn more.
She was sick at the time but could not afford treatment. “One needs about SSP 100-150 to get proper treatment,” she said. That cost is the equivalent of about $30 USD.
“We started saving our income little by little with the hope that we could give assistance to ourselves.” Said Nama. “By this time, we had given up all the initial thinking that we would get any money from the organization.”
When borrowing began, Nama was the second to receive a loan from the group. Two others applied for loans on that day but declined and agreed to wait in order to protect Nama’s health. She was approved to receive SSP 100 for her treatment. In the same time period, she lost a relative and the group gave her SSP 25 as a form of condolences.
Nama has been repaying her loan since January. She says that the group not only gave her access to the resources she needs, but a group of new friends. “The group members kept on visiting me when I was sick,” she said. “They comfort me and I feel I have brothers and sisters.”
When asked about her future plans, Nama said her health will give her new opportunities. She plans on devoting time and energy to her garden and using her savings in eight months to start a kiosk so she can sell goods after farming.