Blog

Courage and Solidarity through “Solito”

Lina Caswell | November 16, 2023

“The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe, and I am beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing this may be incapable of morality.” – James Baldwin Our humanity demands responsibility for children and youth as critical developmental stages require us to imagine spaces that reduce vulnerability and encourage agency. The CWS …

My First Capitol Hill Experience

Sebastian Vidal | November 15, 2023

As a child, I had been to Washington, D.C. many times, always seeing the Capitol building from afar and never up close. I remember staring at it in all its grandeur and imagining all the powerful decision-making taking place behind closed doors. I never imagined I would step foot inside the building several years later. That all changed the morning …

Empowering Communities: Building Sustainable Solutions for Eradicating Poverty

Alex Morse | October 19, 2023

Commemorating the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty means promoting a greater understanding of the diverse challenges that individuals experiencing poverty often face. According to the United Nations, extreme poverty affects more than 670 million people around the world. Beyond economic poverty, these individuals routinely experience dangerous working conditions, unsafe housing, a lack of nutritious food, unequal access to …

Embracing Plurality: Beyond the Hispanic Umbrella in Latin@ Identity

Blanca Torres | October 13, 2023

With over a quarter-century of service to Latin American immigrant children, families and multi-generational U.S.-born Latin@ communities, my journey has been intimately intertwined with the rich tapestry of Latin American heritage. Born in the U.S. yet raised by my abuelita, a Zapotec Indian matriarch from Oaxaca’s coastal region, I grappled with the notion of being labeled ‘Hispanic’ upon my return …

Building Wellness and Community

Erika Juran | October 9, 2023

Our office, Church World Service (CWS) Harrisburg, which is part of CWS South Central Pennsylvania, has been up and running for about a year and half now. Within that time, we have created strong partnerships and connections to community groups, educational institutions and mental health professionals. Those clients presenting urgent mental health concerns identified during the resettlement period within 90 …