Washington, D.C.—Church World Service today commends the Biden administration’s decision to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for people from El Salvador, Venezuela, Ukraine, and Sudan. Secretary Mayorkas of the Department of Homeland Security announced an eighteen month extension for individuals in the U.S. from all four countries, potentially impacting over 900,000 people.CWS has long supported TPS designations for countries facing …
Stories of Change
Community members of the Saint James AME church receive CWS Kits and Blankets
Saint James AME Church: A Legacy of Warmth, Resilience and Care
A Rich History of Community
For nearly 160 years, the Saint James AME Church in Live Oak, Florida, has been a fundamental haven in the community. Before African Americans were allowed to go to school or worship freely, they gathered in this sacred space. Today, the church continues to serve as both a place of worship and a source of generosity and kindness.
“We’re one of the smaller churches, but we have a rich, rich history,” shared Pastor Marvin Bouquette. The church hosts various initiatives throughout the year to build community, from school supply giveaways to Easter egg hunts and family fun days.
Coming Together to Support Eachother
The sense of community fostered by Saint James AME Church has become a lifeline in times of need. This was especially true when Hurricane Helene hit Live Oak, Florida, this past September. The rural city of fewer than 7,000 people lost electricity and access to water in the aftermath of the storm.
As part of the network of churches that Church World Service (CWS) supports, Saint James AME Church partnered with the CWS Kits and Blankets program to care for its members and neighbors after the hurricane.
Delivering Hope with CWS Kits and Blankets
“With the partnership, we distributed to about 200 people and not just within the four walls of the church,” Pastor Marvin recalled. The church used social media, mass texting, and phone tree systems to ensure the community knew about the distribution.
The response was overwhelming. “The number of people who showed up was mind-boggling,” said Pastor Marvin. People were particularly surprised by the quality of the items they received. “A lot of the times when things are donated, they’re not the best quality, but these heavyweight and lightweight blankets—people love them,” he added.
Extending Help Beyond Church Walls
The distribution extended beyond Saint James AME Church. The church reached out to seven other churches in the area, ultimately supporting about 500 people. Reflecting on the community’s resilience, Pastor Marvin stated, “We make do, and CWS coming in and donating those items allowed us to say, ‘We may not be able to give you electricity right now, but here are some items that can provide comfort.’”
One of the most appreciated items in the CWS Kits was the Period Packs. These packs were in high demand and were the first to run out. Recognizing the importance of these products, a local school administrator took some back to ensure students also had access to them.
The feminine hygiene products in these packs not only provide necessary care but also send a powerful message—reminding individuals with periods that their needs matter, even during a disaster.
An Expression Gratitude
Pastor Marvin extended his gratitude to those who support the CWS Kits and Blankets program. “There’s a lot of work that goes into these Kits, so on behalf of Saint James AME Church and the Live Oak community, thank you.”
From the compassionate hands that build the Kits to the generous ones that distribute them, CWS Kits and Blankets remain a powerful source of comfort. They connect communities and remind us all of the importance of caring for one another in times of need.
To support individuals affected by recent hurricanes, please consider donating to our disaster response fund. You can learn more about CWS’ Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery work by clicking here and you can get involved in our Kits and Blankets Program here.
Sonya Funna Evelyn, Sam Worthington Join CWS Board of Directors
Sonya Funna Evelyn, Sam Worthington Join CWS Board of Directors New York City – Church World Service today announced that it has welcomed two new members to its Board of Directors, Sonya Funna Evelyn and Sam Worthington. Each of these leaders brings decades of experience related to CWS’ mission of building a world where everyone has food, voice and a …
Stories of Change
Top: Bethlehem on Broad Street coordinator Jim Lowe Middle: CWS Kits Bottom: Woman holding CWS Blanket
CWS Kits and Blankets Bring Warmth and Hope to Ohio Communities
CWS Blanket and Kit donations have provided warmth and essential support to Ohio communities facing record cold and power outages. The generosity of donors, local shelters and events like Bethlehem on Broad Street have offered comfort, hope and vital supplies to those in need during winter’s harshest challenges.
During the harsh winter days, the generosity of CWS Blanket and Kit donors has provided critical relief to those in need across central and southern Ohio. With record-breaking cold and widespread power outages, many found themselves seeking refuge in local warming shelters. Thanks to donations from Church World Service supporters, these shelters were able to offer warm blankets and essential hygiene kits to their guests.
Warmth Amid Winter’s Challenges
“This winter storm was devastating, and many people lost electricity, leaving them no choice but to move to a warming center,” said Matthew Stevens, Director of Congregational Campaigns at CWS. “Because of the generous donors from Church World Service, the guests in these shelters received warm blankets and hygiene items, bringing comfort in difficult times.”
One of the recipients of CWS Blankets was Bethlehem on Broad Street (BOBS), an ecumenical Christmas Day event in Columbus, Ohio, that serves hundreds of people in need. Jim and Gail Lowe, coordinators of BOBS, expressed their deep gratitude for the donations.
Gratitude from Local Leaders
“I can’t say thank you enough to Church World Service for providing these blankets and hygiene kits for our community,” Jim said. “So many people are in need of extra warmth during the winter, and these blankets are perfect.”
In addition to their event, Jim and Gail distributed blankets to local warming shelters and organizations supporting unhoused individuals and families. Gail noted, “It’s so heartwarming to know that on these extremely cold days, people can stay warm thanks to the love and care behind these donations.”
The impact of these gifts stretches far beyond physical warmth, reminding those in need that they are not alone. CWS donors continue to bring hope and compassion to communities facing winter’s harshest challenges.
To learn how you can contribute CWS Blankets to our neighbors who need them most, click here.
Emergency Appeal: California Wildfires
January 8, 2025
Updated: February 6, 2025 Appeal Code: 6291 Situation: Wildfires across Los Angeles County have surged overnight, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for over 200,000 residents with more than 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters, as powerful Santa Ana winds exacerbate the crisis. As of Wednesday, January 22, 2025, approximately 34,000 individuals were still under evacuation orders. California Governor Gavin Newsom …
Stories of Change
Andrea Flores at the CWS Houston office
“We Are the Light”: How Caseworker Andrea Flores Has Become a Light to Unaccompanied Children
This staff spotlight story features Andrea Flores, a caseworker in our Houston office for our Home Study and Post Release Services program. Andrea talks about her responsibilities in her role as well as her personal connection and passion for her work.
The gentle warmth of CWS HSPRS Caseworker, Andrea Flores, is often the first sign of welcome a recently arrived child experiences. This warmth extends beyond Andrea’s sweet personality and into Andrea’s passion and motivation for her work with unaccompanied children. “I would like to be part of their new journey by providing comfort and support so they can remember that there are people who care about them no matter what,” Andrea shared.
From Honduras to the United States: Andrea’s Journey to Helping Her Community
Originally from Honduras, Andrea was initially unsure about moving to the United States because she felt she could have a greater impact by serving her community in her own country. “I wanted to live in my country and work for my people, but my dad once told me, ‘If you want to help your people, it is not necessary to be in Honduras; you can be over there and help them.’ I ended up here in the United States helping my people, which is why I really value this job,” she stated.
Connecting with Children Through Shared Culture
In her role, Andrea brings a unique perspective since she shares the same home country as many of the children she serves. She explained that because she knows the culture, she better understands why these children come to the United States and what type of information and support they need. “If these minors are from very poor communities, sometimes they only study until sixth grade. If they want to go to high school, they have to travel to another city which is a major cost with transportation and rent and is too much for these families. They are used to working. After sixth grade, everyone works in the poor communities so they’re used to it. That’s why here in the U.S. I have to remind them, ‘That’s not right, you need to go to school,’” Andrea told us, adding that many of these children also flee their country to escape gang violence.
Becoming the “Light” for Unaccompanied Children
Before arriving in the United States five years ago, Andrea didn’t know about organizations like CWS that support these vulnerable children. Now, Andrea sees these organizations as a crucial source for families and children to get access to the information they need to become successful members of their new communities. “We are the light, in a way,” she said.
Since she began working at CWS, Andrea has been able to see many of her clients progress in their new homes. Some of her favorite moments have been when she receives videos from her clients of teachers giving them awards for good performance in school. These videos give Andrea hope that they are on the right path to a safe and fulfilling life in the United States.
When asked what message she would share with unaccompanied children seeking a new home in the United States, Andrea became emotional, saying, “Don’t worry. If you are here in the United States, there are people who really care about you.” Driven by her passion and desire to make an impact, Andrea is committed to making sure she is this person for the clients she serves every day.
You can learn more about the CWS Houston office and how you can support our programs by clicking here.
CWS Mourns the Passing of President Jimmy Carter, Honors his Commitment to the Displaced and to Humanitarian Causes Worldwide
December 30, 2024
Washington, D.C.—In response to the passing of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, peanut farmer, Navy veteran, and devout man of faith, Rick Santos, President and CEO of Church World Service, issued the following statement: President Carter was a man of faith, country, and compassion. His century as an American encapsulated much of our collective history. He …
TAKE ACTION NOW: Urge Virginia’s Elected Leaders to Protect Immigrant Communities
December 26, 2024
Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin proposed to force localities in Virginia to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The proposal would mandate local law enforcement to honor ICE detainer requests, even without judicial warrants, and penalize localities that adopt sanctuary policies by withholding critical state funding. Such provisions make communities less safe by undermining trust between immigrant communities and local …
Family and the Power of Support
December 19, 2024
Through the hardships of war, the loss of loved ones and the challenges of resettling in a new country, the finds hope and healing through community support, resilience and love. My parents, may Allah have mercy on them, were the foundation of my strength and optimism. My father always encouraged us to help others, often saying: “Life is like a …
Stories of Change
Martha Brito growing crops in her community
Empowering Communities Through Agriculture and Leadership
Martha Brito, a young leader from Aldea Xemamatze, Guatemala, has transformed her community through agricultural knowledge and workshops on women’s empowerment. Inspired by her grandmother and mother, Martha teaches sustainable farming practices and advocates for dignity and confidence among women.
Food at home, without depending on market products, is a blessing. We only need to buy the basics; everything else we can grow ourselves. These words reflect the skills and success of Martha Brito, an active participant in our Guatemala programs led by our partner, CIEDEG.*
Since she was just 9 years old, Martha, from the village of Aldea Xemamatze, Caserío Visajkub, has witnessed how training in agriculture, health and dignity has transformed her reality and that of many families around her.
A Generational Cycle of Learning
Martha’s leadership story began when she lived with her grandmother, a key figure in her life who taught her the importance of community projects.”We come from a low-income family, and the support from CIEDEG has been essential for us. They provided training on how to make organic fertilizers, prepare homemade insecticides, and take care of our crops,” Martha shared. Thanks to this training, she learned from a young age how to improve agricultural production at home and understood the importance of growing food for a healthy diet.
Martha has also learned a great deal alongside her mother, Catarina Brito, a CIEDEG promoter. “I’ve always been by her side, helping her in any way I can. Sometimes I accompany her on visits to other communities and encourage people to harvest more.” In addition to her agricultural knowledge, Martha has learned to prepare traditional foods. “My grandmother always said we had to work together to improve our nutrition, especially to fight child malnutrition,” she recalls fondly.
Empowering Women in the Community
Over the years, Martha has become a facilitator of learning in her community. She has held workshops on using organic fertilizers and homemade pesticides, contributing to the empowerment of the women around her. In 2023, she taught her first course on dignity for the women in her community. This workshop emphasized the importance of women feeling confident in themselves and understanding that they have the right to lead and be heard.
Today, Martha dreams of having her own pig farm to support other women in her community. “It’s a project I would love to make a reality because there are many women who need help in these areas,” she says with hope.
Beyond Guatemala
One of Martha’s most enriching experiences was her trip to Japan in 2022, thanks to CIEDEG’s support. For nine months, she learned about crops, pig care, and goat farming. Although it was initially difficult to adapt to the language and food, she gradually got used to it and shared her experiences with other participants. “We learned a lot, and our colleagues were proud of us for making it so far.”
Today, Martha continues her daily activities at home, such as feeding her chickens and taking care of her animals. In every small action, she honors her mother and grandmother, while empowering her community and the next generations who will benefit from the sharing of this rich knowledge.
*We are thankful to the Conference of Evangelical Churches in Guatemala for their leadership in this program and the support of the LDS Charities.
You can learn more about the work CWS does in Latin America by clicking here.