Humanitarian organization Church World Service welcomes President Obama’s decision to offer millions of U.S. undocumented community members the opportunity to apply for temporary relief from deportation. “Our immigration system has been broken for far too long,” said CWS President and CEO, the Rev. John L. McCullough. “The president has the full constitutional authority, and a moral obligation to keep families …
Laid-Off Executive Finds Joy in Service with Disaster Survivors, Others in Need
Ron Turney | November 17, 2014
In this journey of life, it’s great when a wide, well-marked road stretches as far as we can see in front of us. It’s another matter when that road abruptly ends and there are no clear signposts toward the future. Almost six years ago, my wide, clearly marked road ran out. After a 38-year professional career in the technology sector, …
It’s More Than Raising Money
Andrew Gifford | November 14, 2014
I’m going to be honest, before a few months ago I had never actually walked in a CROP Hunger Walk before in my life. My involvement with CWS was through theCWS Blanket Sunday my church did every Mothers’ Day. But what an experience it has been to see communities come together to raise funds and build awareness towards hunger needs …
CWS Celebrates Champions for Change in Refugee and Immigrant Rights
The United Republic of Tanzania has made history by being one of the first African countries to offer citizenship to a large refugee population. This historic decision to offer over 160,000 refugees citizenship prompted CWS to honor Harrison Mseke, the Director of the Tanzanian Refugee Services Department with the annual John Backer Champion 4 Change Award at the Annual Benefit …
Annual Benefit 4 Change Gala to Honor Those who Serve Refugees and Immigrants
November 11, 2014
NEW YORK — Based in a city shaped by immigrants, Church World Service will honor those who serve refugees and immigrants around the world at its annual Benefit 4 Change gala Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. at the World Monuments Fund Gallery, 15 East 27th Street in Manhattan. As one of nine agencies that resettles refugees for the U.S. …
Establishing Community for Refugees in Cairo
Beth Frank |
When I walk into St. Andrew’s Refugee Services (StARS) in Cairo each morning, I feel myself perk up a little bit. The guards smile and say good morning, students are laughing and jumping rope or kicking around a soccer ball in the courtyard, and people are genuinely happy to be there. I am not alone in recognizing it. StARS has …
Giving From the Heart
Joya Colon-Berezin | November 10, 2014
Each year, as late November rolls around and Thanksgiving and Christmas appear around the corner, we experience being truly thankful for all that we have received. We also have the opportunity to recognize what it means to give generously, and from the heart. Recently I learned about one such act of generous giving. Ray and Linda Miller first heard about …
U.S., Cuban Religious Leaders Press Humanitarian Case for Prisoners’ Release
NEW YORK, N.Y., Nov. 10, 2014 – The Rev. John L. McCullough and two fellow religious leaders traveled to Cuba last week for the latest in a series of meetings emphasizing the humanitarian reasons for release of American Alan Phillip Gross from prison in Cuba, and of the three members of the “Cuban 5” still in prison in the United …
Another Way of Looking at ‘Development’ – the Need to Train Leaders
Chris Herlinger | November 7, 2014
In working through my notes from a recent visit to the Chaco region of Argentina and Bolivia, I’ve had some good back and forth with my CWS colleagues in Buenos Aires. One of the things we’ve discussed is what “development” means. The term has come to mean different things to different people. Some do not like the word when it …
The Power of Welcome
Erika Iverson | November 6, 2014
By the time I started college, I’d lived in six different cities and towns. My tendency for transience followed me into adulthood. While I like to think that I’m pretty good at moving now, I didn’t always feel that way. When I was young and moving around the Midwest, adjusting to each new place was a challenge. It turns out …