Stories of Change

Neema in front of her home garden

Empowerment for Peace and Stability

Trigger warning: This story mentions instances of sexual violence and harassment.

For most of her life, Neema has had to conquer dangers and challenges that threatened the safety of her and her family. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Neema’s stability was shattered by the violence of war when conflict broke out in her own family as relatives fought over the land she and her husband had inherited. These challenges reached a breaking point, and Neema and her husband fled to Tanzania. 

“We decided to come to Tanzania for security purposes,” Neema explained. She currently lives in Nyarugusu Refugee Camp with her husband and five children whose ages range from four to 15. They’ve lived in the camp for eight years and are being processed for resettlement. “We cannot return to Congo,” Neema stated, adding that their home will be in either Tanzania or another country if they’re granted refugee status. 

At the camp, Neema soon learned of the new challenges she would need to overcome, beginning with basic nutrition. “My life was very hard because I couldn’t obtain a variety of food,” she shared. Residents in Nyarugusu camp are not allowed to leave the camp while their cases are being processed, making it extremely difficult to address these challenges without the tools they need. 

Through CWS’ Sustainable Gardening program, we equip individuals like Neema and her family with these tools. When invited to join the program, Neema was given seeds, materials and training needed to start her home garden where she can grow her own food. “Before, I didn’t know how to eat a variety of vegetables. Now I eat vegetables like chia, kale and spinach. I didn’t have any knowledge of these vegetables, but now I’m an expert. I’m thankful for CWS. Now food is no longer an issue in my family.”

Beyond establishing food security, Neema has discovered another sense of safety through this program. She shared that before joining, she had to walk to other zones in the camp for food and other necessities. This often exposed her to sexual violence and harassment. “We are often humiliated,” she explained. Now through the program, Neema is able to grow everything she needs for her family in her own backyard and does not have to leave as often, minimizing her exposure to potential dangers around the camp. She added that “through this program any surplus I make from my vegetables I use to buy firewood and anything else that I would normally need outside my camp,” and she has even earned enough to buy herself a phone. 

Participants of the program are not only empowered with valuable tools needed to establish safety and wellbeing, but they are also given lessons on gender equality. In this program, both men and women learn about the massive benefits they can reap when women are empowered and couples work together while rebuilding their lives in the camp. One seed at a time, Neema is slowly rebuilding the peace and stability she deserves. 

CWS is grateful to our partners, the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund and Canadian Foodgrains Bank, for supporting this work. To learn more about CWS’ work supporting refugees all around the world, click here.

Stories of Change

Youth participants at the United Church of Christ Great Lakes and Western Regional Youth Event

Youth Make a Difference in Combating Period Poverty

In July, the United Church of Christ (UCC) Great Lakes and Western Regional Youth Event, held at Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, showcased the power of youth activism and community service. In collaboration with Church World Service, over 200 youth from the West Regional Conference and the Great Lakes Conference came together for a special project aimed at combating period poverty and supporting local unhoused youth.

“We are so excited that the youth could gather this year to learn about sharing with others. Our theme is ‘Love is greater than fear’ and our hope is the youth will leave being inspired to make the world a better place,” said Samantha Barrett, one of the organizers of the UCC Regional Youth Gathering.

The highlight of the event was the assembly of 500 CWS Period Packs. This initiative was a part of a broader focus to end period poverty and ensure that menstrual hygiene products are accessible to those in need. These efforts were a testament to the commitment of UCC youth to making a tangible difference in their communities and beyond.

Rachel Kessel, CWS’ Community Engagement Specialist, was amazed by the energy of the youth and their dedication to social justice. “I was inspired by their dedication and giving spirits of the committed youth. They had so much fun with this project, and they really knew that they were making a difference with the local and global communities.”

In addition to the period packs, another group of dedicated youth assembled Unhoused Kits for The Project, a local agency dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ youth in the Quad City area. Many of these youth experience homelessness and a lack of mental health and other essential services. The UCC youth successfully donated 250 CWS Period Packs, 60 CWS Blankets and 250 Unhoused Kits to The Project, providing much-needed support for these vulnerable individuals.

The remaining 250 CWS Period Packs will be distributed by CWS to other agencies and in emergency situations, ensuring that the benefits of this initiative extend even further.

Jon Skogen, CWS’ Community Engagement Manager, understands the importance of teaching young people about caring for their community. “I was encouraged that the youth were willing to help with whatever was needed—including assembling of the Kits, moving of the boxes and loading of the cars. I was so impressed with how they were being serious and having fun at the same time. They love helping other people!”

This collaborative effort between CWS and the UCC youth not only addressed critical issues but also demonstrated the power of young people to effect positive change. Their dedication and hard work are an inspiration to all, highlighting the importance of community and service.

“This project was only possible because of our partnership with the United Church of Christ and other generous denominations and donors. These amazing partners make an impact around the world. CWS loves working with volunteers of all ages and backgrounds and it is so important to our mission. I hope we inspired these youth to continue to support community service projects for many more years to come,” said David Costellow, CWS’ Community Engagement Manager.

CWS is grateful to the generous donors who make this important work possible. Your support is crucial in enabling us to partner with other groups for these impactful projects and to bring hope to those in need.

To learn more and get involved in the CWS Kits program, visit our website.

Finding Hope After Disaster Strikes


July 22, 2024

On July 7, 2024, Hurricane Beryl struck the Texas coast as a Category 1 hurricane, bringing heavy rains, high winds and widespread power outages that left over two million people in the dark. Flood warnings were posted along the coast, and high winds and water caused widespread damage and debris for millions. In the immediate aftermath of the storm, CWS …

Stories of Change

Aftermath of Houston following tornado (client's home is not shown in photos)

Finding Home in a Tornado

Anytime a child decides to leave their home and make the often treacherous journey to begin a safer life in the United States, they showcase bravery far beyond their age. What many of us don’t realize, however, is that their courage does not end there. We were reminded of this when we met Ana and Marta who recently braved something they never thought they would face: a tornado.

Six months ago, Ana, who is 16 years old, decided to leave her home in Guatemala to be reunited with her cousin and sponsor Marta in Texas. She dreamt of a place with greater opportunities where she could go to school and build a stable and happy life for herself. The journey to the U.S. was not easy as Ana had to cross Mexico by bus and by foot relying on herself alone to make it to the U.S. The challenges, however, were worth it. Ana arrived in Texas where she now lives with Marta, Marta’s husband and their baby. She is starting school this fall, which is an exciting next step in her new life.

This past May, Ana was at home while Marta went to pick up her husband from work; a routine that was usual for the family. This seemingly normal day soon took a turn when Marta received an alert on her phone telling her that there was a tornado nearby and to seek shelter immediately. This type of disaster was new to the family and they were unsure of what to do but did as they were advised and pulled over at a friend’s house. Marta then called Ana, who had begun to notice the loud winds and rain, and told her to hide in the bedroom until they returned.

When the storm passed, Marta and her husband hurried home to find an entirely different scene than the one she had left earlier. “Everything was flooded and we couldn’t get inside,” Marta recalled. “There were fallen cables everywhere and lots of trees had fallen.” As soon as they got inside, they found Ana, who, although scared by the whole experience, was safe.

The family’s house had thankfully suffered minimal damage but the dangers from the storm had only just begun. Like many others, the family completely lost power, which created new difficulties. “We had no air conditioning, and the temperatures didn’t drop at all after the rain so our house got very hot and we each started to get sick,” Marta explained. She added that her baby would sweat throughout the night and, on average, they were getting three hours of sleep which made them very concerned for their health and safety. To find some relief, the family resorted to sleeping in their car until they received some positive news from their CWS Case Manager, Andreina, who provides Post Release Services to children like Ana who came to the U.S. unaccompanied and recently reunited with a family member.

As soon as Andreina heard about the struggles the family was experiencing, she took action and reached out to her colleagues in the Housing Team and Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery Team who, thanks to a generous grant provided by Airbnb.org, were able to get a hotel room for the family. The change from their hot home and car to the fresh and clean hotel was drastic. “We were so happy. My baby even started to play when we got there but we were so tired that as soon as the sun went down, we all went to sleep since we had gone many nights already without sleeping.”

The family stayed at the hotel for about four days and returned to their home as soon as the power returned. “Honestly, thank you so much,” Marta said. “There were so many people who died because of the heat and because they stayed in their cars, and while it took some time for us adults to get better, my baby is now better so it was a great help.”

In every experience they have faced, Marta and Ana have shown that they are strong and resilient. Together and with the support of their community, they can overcome anything that comes their way.

CWS is thankful for the generosity of Airbnb.org whose support has allowed hundreds of our newest neighbors to receive temporary housing as they establish their new and permanent homes. Click the following links to learn more about our work in housing, disaster response and unaccompanied children. You can also support CWS’s response to domestic emergencies like the one faced by Ana and Marta by donating to our Emergency Response Fund.

*Note: pseudonyms and stock images have been used to protect the identity of the individuals in this story

Stories of Change

Laura with the CWS asylum and border team and technical unit staff

A Border Visit Inspires a New Advocate

Last November, CWS volunteer and advocate, Laura Stoner, was spending some time in Colorado when she was invited by her church, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, to participate in a pilgrimage to the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso. When Laura said yes to the invitation, she didn’t know the profound experience and new connections that awaited her.

Originally from another border town, Laredo, Laura thought, “If the Coloradans see fit to go down to my border in Texas, maybe I should be there too.” The group attended various educational and advocacy sessions and volunteered at the Rio Grande Borderland Ministries shelter site, which is supported by CWS.

During one of these sessions Laura met Emily Miller, CWS’ Associate Director of Asylum and Border Services, and remembered that her church in Austin participated in CWS CROP Hunger Walks every year. This connection generated a lasting impact by empowering Laura to become a CWS advocate when she went back home to her church in Austin. “One of the unexpected benefits of the pilgrimage was that I was able to come back and give witness for Church World Service by sharing a little bit about what I learned from CWS, that I had met some of their staff and sat in on their advocacy sessions,” Laura said. “I considered it a big privilege to help bolster the support of the CROP Hunger Walk.”

Laura was so moved by the experience that she returned for a second time this past May. In addition to the panaderias in El Paso that welcomed Laura with sweet Mexican treats, she was deeply drawn to the work on the border because of the resemblance to her own community. “What I was hearing didn’t resonate with my experience growing up in a border town and what was hard was that once we actually met the shelter guests, these asylum seeking families, they didn’t look any different than the people that I grew up with. And yet this is who the media was demonizing, calling them invaders. And I’m just looking at them thinking, ‘Are we talking about the same people?’”

Laura remembers the people she met and encountered with vivid compassion. She shared that whenever a new family came into the shelter, they often walked in crying and the group couldn’t distinguish whether they cried tears of relief, grief or fear. One of the women who left a lasting impact on her was a Guatemala mother who came in with four young children, the oldest who appeared to be about eight years old. As Laura and Emily were speaking with her, they realized that she did not speak Spanish but spoke a less commonly spoken indigenous language. Laura remembers feeling even more shocked when she found out that the family was headed to Maryland and still had various airports and flights they needed to navigate. She remarked, “The courage it must have taken for her to make that journey and get that far with all those young boys…”

This was just one of the many harrowing stories Laura encountered and in each one, two common themes stood out. The first was grief. “You know, the loss of your country, your home, your people and your food. There’s a lot of grief, and they’re just in survival mode trying to get to their next breath, their next meal.” Just as intense as the grief she saw, however, Laura recognized the resilience of these individuals. “That’s part of what to me is so special about being there. Those people gave me strength. They’re a gift. Seeing what they have endured and seeing their strength and their faith, frankly, it’s just incredible,” she shared.

These visits allowed Laura to see what she reflects as “the body of Christ in action,” meaning the collaboration between every moving piece to support these newcomers. As part of all these pieces, CWS is thankful to be in it together, with motivated and passionate individuals like Laura, who amplify our work and show the deep humanity of our newest neighbors.

To learn more about CWS’ Asylum and Border Services program, click here.

Stories of Change

Top: Wajdi and his family's arrival in the U.S. Middle and Bottom: Wajdi and his family

A Celebration of Resilience and New Beginnings

This Father’s Day, as we celebrate the dedication and love of fathers worldwide, let’s also take a moment to recognize the courage and perseverance of refugee fathers who have overcome immense challenges to build a better life for their families. This is not just a story about fatherhood; it is also a testament to the strength and resilience of refugee families as they navigate new beginnings in unfamiliar lands. Here, we share the touching journey of one such father, whose experiences encapsulate the essence of both Father’s Day and World Refugee Day.

“I have three kids,” Wajdi, CWS’s Director of Financial Business Partners, told us, reflecting on his journey from Egypt to the United States. This week, his eldest, Mohamed, graduated from  high school. Mohamed’s transformation is a source of immense pride for his father. “He just did his senior speech last week. He’s playing guitar and has started playing soccer at school, something he never wanted to do in Egypt.” Mohamed has applied for many scholarships in the United States and received acceptance from St. Thomas and Minneapolis Public School.

Wajdi’s pride extends to his daughters as well. His 16-year-old, Alaa, has flourished in the school orchestra, playing the violin. “She started to play violin when she was in Cairo,” Wajdi recalls. Her recent concert, which featured Arabic songs, was a poignant reminder of the family’s cultural heritage. Alaa has also taken up soccer and ice skating, sports she might not have explored back home. “You moved to the right city in the United States that they love ice skating because this is a popular game here in Minnesota,” Wajdi tells Alaa, celebrating her adaptability and enthusiasm.

Maria, the youngest at 11, is described as a natural leader. “She’s a very social person,” Wajdi says, recounting how she led her classmates back in Cairo and continues to do so in their new home. Beyond his immediate family, Wajdi is working tirelessly to reunite with his parents, who are still in Egypt.

 “I am in the process of bringing them through a Welcome Corps program,” he explains. His dedication to family extends to his professional life, where he works with CWS, an organization committed to helping refugees. “I believe in helping refugees and that’s the way I see myself for the future,” he says. His role as Director of Financial Business Partners allows him to support new structures within CWS, ensuring that the organization can continue its vital work.

During our interview with Wajdi, he emphasized the importance of welcoming refugees. “The new immigrants and the new refugees coming to the United States, they need to feel they are welcomed in this state, in this country.” He urges Americans to be empathetic, highlighting that refugees are eager to contribute positively to their new communities.

For fellow refugees, his message is one of patience and perseverance. “They have to be patient. Everything will be fine. They went through more hard times, for example, they are coming to the United States. They have to love this country. This country is the future for themselves, for their kids, for their grandkids.”

Wajdi’s family journey has also been one of cultural exchange. From enjoying American hamburgers to discovering Mexican food, their story is a beautiful blend of old and new traditions. Wajdi humorously recalls a dinner where a friend likened their love for spicy Yemeni food to Mexican cuisine, calling them “Mohicans” instead of Mexicans.

On this Father’s Day and World Refugee Day, let’s honor the fathers who, like Wajdi, navigate the complexities of parenthood while adapting to new worlds. Their stories of love, sacrifice, and resilience remind us of the universal values that bind us all.

To read more stories in honor of World Refugee Day, click here.

Stories of Change

Patrick and his family

A Journey to Permanent Home and Education

“He’s never been to school,” Patrick’s family members shared about him. At eight years of age, Patrick has spent all of his life in a state of limbo with no access to formal education, let alone security or a sense of permanence. The son of Congolese parents and baby brother to three older siblings, he was born and raised in a refugee camp in Burundi. Though it is one of the poorest countries in the world, it was in Burundi that his parents found refuge as they fled violence and the fear of persecution in their native land. In total, Patrick’s family lived in that refugee camp for 18 years–nearly two decades of uncertainty, waiting and extremely limited resources.  

 On September 23, 2023, Patrick and his five family members arrived in Columbus, Ohio. Just one week later, they moved into their permanent housing, a recently renovated three-bedroom home in a safe neighborhood in south Columbus with monthly rent that is $300 under the market average. Patrick is now home for the first time in his life.  

 With the safety and security that permanent housing brings, Patrick and his family are now able to pursue self-sufficiency and successful integration into the community. He has learned to take the bus from his home to school, where he is learning English and making friends. His older sister has also learned to take the bus to her new high school. His adult brothers and father are beginning to navigate public transportation independently to their current work assignments, where they are taking English classes and job readiness courses. 

CWS partners with more than 30 local organizations, like CRIS Ohio, to expand our services assisting refugees and immigrants throughout the United States. Learn more about CWS’ U.S. resettlement work here.

Stories of Change

Razaz (top) and Jameela (bottom) teach young refugee women new skills in Henna and Makeup Art

Persevering Through Passions: Jameela and Razaz

Beyond every refugee are stories, passions and hobbies that make them unique. Each newcomer brings to their host country new valuable skills that, when given the chance, can help make our lives a little brighter. This is true for Jameela and Razaz who live in our PURE* Group Home for Youth seeking asylum in Indonesia.

On paper, one might assume the two young women are from completely different worlds. Jameela is from Iraq and Razaz is from Sudan. When you look closely, however, you’ll find that the two women have one very big thing in common: they are driven by their passions.

Jameela is a self-taught make-up artist and talented student. On Saturdays, when she is not working on her schoolwork, she volunteers at the Refugee Talent Project, where she teaches other young refugee women and girls makeup techniques. By doing this, Jameela is not only helping other women develop new skills, but she is empowering them by revealing how talented and capable they are.

Like Jameela, Razaz developed her own passion and artistic talent, henna, at a young age. At the CWS group home, she felt compelled to share her talent with her peers and established her own henna class for the residents. She shared, “I enjoy sharing my skills. It makes me happy. I enjoy seeing my students improve their skills by the week. One of my students at [the] group home initially didn’t know how to draw henna at all. Now she can do it by herself.”

For both Razaz and Jameela, the title “refugee” has never stopped them from pursuing their passions while uplifting others. As Razaz stated, “Being a refugee shouldn’t be a barrier for you to learn new skills, as I believe that all women are strong and resilient enough to break those barriers.” With each brush stroke, these women are taking down barriers and painting new opportunities for all they encounter.

*PURE, which stands for “Protecting Urban Refugees through Empowerment” is a CWS-run program in Jakarta, Indonesia that helps unaccompanied refugee youth and asylum seekers navigate life in their new home. The program provides shelter and community and offers classes and vocational training to teach the youth life skills and help them develop a stable livelihood.

You can learn more about our work in Indonesia by clicking here.

Stories of Change

Participants of Youth Talent Show

Youth Talent Show: WE ARE HERE

This month, the Youth Talent Show titled “WE ARE HERE” brought together an inspiring display of talent and resilience from Ukrainian youth. The name, inspired by Alicia Keys’ song, resonated deeply as these young performers asked a poignant question through their final performance: “WHY ARE WE HERE?” This question, far from being merely philosophical, echoed the lived experiences of these children and teens who have spent over two years away from their homeland, adapting to a new culture and language. 

Despite the hardships and barriers, they sometimes face, these youth stood tall and proud, declaring, “WE ARE HERE.” Their performance showcased not just their maturity and the traumas they’ve endured, but also their incredible resilience and talent. The show had it all—humor, parodies, rock music, classical duets, folk dancing and singing. Each genre was represented, making the event full of hope.

The chant, “We are here, we are here for all of us” echoed from Odesa to Kharkiv to Borodyanka, highlighting the collective spirit of the Ukrainian youth at the show. The talent show commenced with a play depicting an airport scene, symbolizing the start of a new journey as people arrived for the first time, carrying bags and leaving behind the lives they once knew as all of the youth members have recently experienced.

Marina and Alison, case managers at CWS who organized the Jersey City Talent Show, reflected on the event: “We found kids, talented and not, who wanted to do something and show their talents. As a Ukrainian, I could not be happier” Said Marina.

Diana, a participant youth member, shared her thoughts: “Since I became part of the CWS Youth Program, almost everything has changed in my American life—my attitude towards people, my English language skills and I’ve made many new friends. I feel warmth from the people there, and I’m very happy to come every weekend. I expected our performance to be very successful and it happened so, with many people attending. I think it can change people’s attitudes towards Ukrainians and CWS.”

Kirill, another participant, echoed similar sentiments: “My English has improved, and I’ve made new friends, even finding my girlfriend, who is Ukrainian. I’m excited and ready to have practiced the whole show with others. People were happy and excited like me. I want to thank Marina and Alison for their service and work; they are such good people.”

Marina and Alison elaborated on the logistics: “Our team picked Saturday as the day Ukrainian parents could bring their kids. Some parents traveled over an hour to watch their kids do amazing things. These kids, having been in the U.S. for only this short time, immediately bonded, becoming friends and chatting online while at home. The connection they made was exactly what we hoped to see. These kids are now heard, seen and visible.”

The show included Ukrainian humor, as Marina explained to us, “If you are dating me and come to our house and my mother offers you slippers, do not ever say no to that offer.” A Ukrainian version of Romeo and Juliet, an Egyptian belly dance, and other performances brought a touch of various cultures, even though all performers were Ukrainian. The entire show lasted two hours, leaving the audience in awe.

Marina summed up the event, saying, “The kids’ parents were grateful, and this is a gift to me.”

The “WE ARE HERE” Youth Talent Show was not just a display of talent but a testament to the resilience and hope of the Ukrainian youth, reminding us all of the power of community and the importance of being seen and heard.

To learn more about CWS New Jersey, visit their website.

Stories of Change

Lauren at her CSU graduation

Becoming an Advocate for Unaccompanied Children

Lauren’s journey to becoming an advocate for unaccompanied children is a story of growth and discovery and reveals how we can all be a helping hand to our newest neighbors. Originally from New York, Lauren always valued the diverse groups she was a part of which piqued her interest to learn Spanish. This interest motivated her to move to California where her path would eventually lead her to CWS.

She first moved to California in 2018 to attend Santa Monica College. Uncertain about her future, she found herself drawn to the Spanish language and the complexities of immigration issues. “I started studying Spanish in Santa Monica College and I got an associate degree in Spanish,” she explained.

While at Santa Monica College, she encountered Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and began to delve deeper into immigration policies and their impacts. She also met individuals from Venezuela who were directly affected by these policies. “I started learning about the situation in Venezuela, the refugee situation and global migration,” she recalled. This personal connection fueled her desire to learn more, and she decided to transfer to California State University to pursue a degree in International Studies with a minor in Global Migration Studies.

At CSU, Lauren’s academic journey continued to intersect with her growing interest in refugee and immigration issues. She joined the BUILD program, an undergraduate research initiative, and worked with a faculty mentor on research focused on the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees in Costa Rica. “I had a very firm understanding of the reasons why these children were coming to the U.S.,” she noted. Following this deep educational experience, Lauren accepted an internship opportunity with CWS in Orange County.

Lauren’s internship at CWS allowed her to apply her knowledge and skills in a practical setting. One of her most significant achievements was creating the “Know Your Rights” presentation for unaccompanied children, which aimed to make complex legal information accessible to children. “This presentation was for my capstone course. I’m very happy with the way it came out because it’s going to be used to help the kids,” she said with pride.

The supportive and compassionate culture at CWS made a lasting impression on Lauren. “I feel like I had a really great experience, especially because of the culture at CWS. The Orange County office is extremely supportive, welcoming and very compassionate,” she reflected.

Lauren’s internship also provided her with a deeper understanding of the processes involved in supporting unaccompanied children. “I didn’t understand the process… but it was interesting to find out the processes that exist to reunify the kids,” she said. This newfound knowledge challenged many of the misconceptions she had encountered and revealed support systems in place to help unaccompanied children.

As Lauren looks to the future, her goals remain rooted in helping others. “I want to help people, I don’t know which group of people I’ll help, but that’s my main aim and my main goal,” she stated. With her drive and commitment to supporting our newest neighbors, CWS is sure that Lauren will achieve this goal.

To learn about internship opportunities with CWS click here. You can learn more about CWS Orange County here, and CWS’ HSPRS program on our website.