Sonya Funna Evelyn, Sam Worthington Join CWS Board of Directors


January 10, 2025

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. 

Visiting the Darien Gap: A Look Beyond the Border


Abbey Combs |

Trigger warning: This article mentions instances of sexual and gender-based violence.  As our bus made its way deeper into the jungle, now seven hours from Panama City, I looked out the window to see an archway welcoming us to the Darién. It was November 12, 2024, just days after U.S. election results were announced. I was traveling with faith leaders …