The following blog was written by a program participant of CWS’ local Moldovan partner, Healthy City. Healthy City, also known as Zdorovii Gorod, supports Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion and psychosocial support. My name is Ekaterina. I am 34 years old, and I am a mother of two children—a 13-year-old boy and …
Stories of Change
Irina (left) with a Speranta Terrei staff member
Irina’s Journey of Resilience and Recovery
Irina, a native of Odesa, had always been an energetic and cheerful woman. Working in the marketplace, she knew how to find a common language with people and make them smile. But when the war began, her life turned upside down. One troubling day, she decided that she could no longer stay in her hometown and packed her things, leaving behind everything she loved.
Irina arrived in Balti, Moldova, in the early days of the conflict, filled with anxiety and uncertainty. She found herself alone, without family or friends, which added to her sense of loneliness. During her first weeks in the new city, she tried to settle in, but the stress and fear took a toll on her health. Soon, Irina began to experience constant fatigue, headaches and joint pain. Not knowing where to turn for help, she learned about one of the Refugee Assistance Centers in the city, CWS’ local partner, Speranta Terrei. With hope and excitement, Irina visited the Center and was greeted with warmth and understanding. The doctor conducted a consultation and suggested that she undergo a comprehensive examination.
After consulting with a therapist, Irina was referred to an external medical center for a more detailed examination and consultations with specialists. She completed the necessary tests and examinations there, which helped identify problems caused by stress and lack of self-care.
The employees of Speranta Terrei provided Irina with medical care and psychological support. Irina felt that she had not been forgotten and that there were people ready to help in difficult times. The Center’s employees told her about the possibility of meeting people like her in partner organization, Zdorovii Gorod. She began attending support groups where she met other women who had gone through similar experiences.
“The program not only helped me get my medication, but also provided counseling that helped me understand how to take better care of myself. Now I am actively working on my mental health and feel like I can handle anything that comes my way,” said Irina.
Irina’s story is one of fortitude and the importance of seeking help in difficult times. With this newfound support, she is now on the path to a full recovery.
CWS’ local partners Speranta Terrei (Hope of the Earth) provides Ukrainian refugees with food, medical and psychological assistance and Healthy City, also known as Zdorovii Gorod, supports Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion and psychosocial support.
This story is possible thanks to the generosity of UMCOR. To learn more and support CWS’ work with Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, click here.
Stories of Change
Disclaimer: for the safety and protection of the family in this story, a stock image has been used
Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Safety
Trigger Warning: This story mentions instances of substance abuse.
When war broke out in his home country of Ukraine, 26-year-old Mihail* was faced with an impossible choice. Though the decision was not easy, with the ongoing conflict and so much uncertainty ahead, Mihail was forced to leave his home behind in search of safety.
With no other way of traveling besides his own two feet, Mihail walked towards the border, where he would seek safety in the neighboring country of Moldova. “I walked for a long time and even swam across the river to be safe,” he shared. “In fact, there was no choice. I went where it was possible to cross the border. Moldova is on the way. It was close enough for me to get there. It was all about getting out and saving my life.”
On the first day after arrival, he found a job, where he met a man who knew an employee of CWS’ local partner in Moldova, the Union for Justice and Health.
“It was probably a big coincidence, which I perceive as real luck. The Union immediately responded and helped.” The Union provided Mihail with temporary housing for three weeks, food vouchers and also moral support, advice and documents, which were especially valuable at that moment. With this support, Mihail was able to overcome the first difficulties and begin to build a new life.
At the time of his stay in Moldova, Mihail was struggling with addiction and continued treatment. He shared, “I had been battling addiction even before the war and continued to treat with methadone therapy whenever possible. In Ukraine, such drugs could be obtained relatively easily, although more often for money. In Moldova, the situation turned out to be different. Everything passed through official channels and was controlled by special structures, the partner of which was the Union for Justice and Health. With their help, I was able to continue the treatment, and this greatly facilitated adaptation.”
But there were many other challenges. Applying for temporary asylum turned out to be a long and difficult process. Finding a job was complicated by lack of knowledge about local laws and of the language. Mihail praised the contribution of the Union and its staff, which helped him slowly settle down and feel more confident, providing him with the stability he needed to continue his journey and build a safe, new life in Germany.
*The name has been changed to protect his identity.
The Union for Equity and Health (Uniunea pentru Echitate si Sanatate) provides psychological, social, and medical assistance to people in Moldova. They offer support groups, educational resources, and health services to promote safety and well-being among these program participants.
This story is possible thanks to the generosity of UMCOR. To learn more and support CWS’ work with Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, click here.
The Office of Refugee Resettlement Supports Florida Communities
December 11, 2024
Florida has a long tradition of welcoming refugees and others fleeing violence and persecution, and is home to a growing number of newcomers – including many fleeing Cuba and Haiti – who are eligible to receive certain federally-funded services for newcomers that promote economic self-sufficiency and community flourishing. The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR): The Office of Refugee Resettlement directly …
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Disclaimer: for the safety and protection of the family in this story, a stock image has been used
“Every Day We Cling to Hope”
Valentina and her daughter Alina experienced the horrors of war that changed their lives forever. When shelling began in their hometown in eastern Ukraine, the house where they lived was destroyed. They had no choice but to flee. The memories of destroyed streets, the roar of explosions and farewells to their homeland are forever imprinted in their minds. They ended up in Moldova, hoping to find refuge and peace there, but their ordeal was only just beginning.
When they arrived, everything seemed temporary. “We just have to wait it out,” Valentina reassured herself. But as the days and weeks passed, the situation only worsened. It was difficult to find housing and work, and when Valentina fell ill, things got even worse. She experienced depression and nearly stopped eating, causing her weight to drop rapidly. Alina, her 19-year-old daughter, felt the full weight of responsibility for their future. She got a job in a small flower shop, where, despite the modest earnings, she hoped to somehow support her mother.
Alina did not earn enough money to cover a medical examination for her mother, and Valentina was getting weaker every day. Without a clear way to help, Alina felt like time was slipping through her fingers until one of the employees of the flower shop told her about Speranța Terrei (Hope of the Earth), CWS’ local partner in Moldova. The team at Speranța Terrei organized a full medical examination for Valentina and found that she was positive for lung cancer. The diagnosis was a terrible blow, but they finally had the answers they needed and support from Speranța Terrei in the recovery ahead and throughout her chemotherapy treatments.
For Alina, this time was a test of strength, but she did not feel alone in the fight. Alina was offered a job at the Refugee Assistance Center, so she was able to be with her mother and get paid to assist the people who work at the center.
“The program helped me understand that my daughter and I are not alone. We met people at the Center who had experienced similar diagnoses, and this gave me strength. Every day we cling to hope—hope that the treatment will work, hope that the disease will recede and hope that my daughter and I can start a new chapter in our lives. We are surrounded by people who believe in the best, and this belief gives us strength,” said Valentina.
The story of Valentina is a story of fortitude and of the importance of seeking help and support in difficult times. Thanks to the Speranța Terrei, she is in the process of recovering her health, with the hope of a complete recovery.
In Balti, CWS’ local partner Speranta Terrei (Hope of the Earth) provides Ukrainian refugees with food, medical and psychological assistance. The organization raises awareness around infectious disease, provides treatment support to tuberculosis patients and promotes their rights within local systems, advocating for greater patient support.
This story is possible thanks to the generosity of UMCOR. To learn more and support CWS’ work with Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, click here.
Stories of Change
Above: Sasha (right) stands next to the CWS Blankets that were distributed in November 2024. Below: CWS Blankets are prepared for distribution.
CWS Blankets Bring Thanksgiving Warmth in Washington State
Many of the clients at Concern for Neighbors Food Bank in Mountlake Terrace, Washington, had a little something extra to be grateful for this Thanksgiving: snuggly CWS Blankets! The food bank provides food and some household supplies to hundreds of people each Tuesday morning, and they added 100 CWS Blankets to their distribution during the week of Thanksgiving 2024. It was the fourth time in five years that CWS supplied blankets for the team at Concern for Neighbors to give out.
Concern for Neighbors begins their distribution at 9:30 a.m. and has been using a drive-through format since 2020. Clients line up in their cars and neighbors often carpool so that one car may represent a few families. The line of cars often snakes around the block.
On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, Sasha got in line in her car at 5:30 in the morning, four hours before distribution began. It was a cold and cloudy day, typical of the Seattle area this time of year. “I’m not going to keep my car running that long. It’s a waste of gas,” she said. While she waited, Sasha curled up under a gray wool CWS Blanket that she had received during a previous year and napped. “It definitely comes in handy. Sometimes jackets aren’t enough, especially because you don’t want to keep your car running,” she said.
Sasha says that she keeps the gray blanket in her car all the time. “I actually go to work pretty early, so that way I get a good parking spot and don’t have to pay like $60 for parking,” she said. “I use the blanket to take naps in my car before work.”
Thankfully, Sasha has received both a gray wool blanket and a yellow fleece blanket during that earlier distribution. “The yellow one is for in my house when I’m cuddled up on the couch, because I don’t have heat in my house,” she said. “I haven’t had [the heat] on in five years, so it’s extra cold in the house and I need an extra blanket.”
“Thank you for the blanket and the thought of it,” Sasha says to the people who make the CWS Blankets program possible. “The material is the best part about it, just because a lot of wool things are hard to find or way more expensive.”
The clients at Concern for Neighbors will use their CWS Blankets to meet all sorts of needs. Some clients don’t have permanent housing and rely on the blankets for warmth in the cold Washington winters. Some, like Sasha, need that extra boost of warmth in chilly homes and cars. Others need the blankets for new babies or newly-arriving extended family. No matter how they put the blankets to use, all of these neighbors are wrapped up in love as a result of the CWS Blankets program.
To learn more about how you can get involved in the CWS Blankets program, click here.
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Halyna O. (right ) and Viktoriia K. (left)
Supporting Refugees with Safe Housing: A CWS Success Story
In collaboration with Saint Mary’s Residency—which provides affordable housing, meals, and communal living services for women—and the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, CWS offers free housing to single working women like Larysa, Viktoriia, and Halyna. By working closely with clients and partner organizations, CWS ensures a smooth transition and a supportive environment.
CWS Housing takes pride in preventing families from becoming unhoused and empowering individuals. We’re thrilled for Larysa, Viktoriia, and Halyna as they join their new communities and build their futures in the United States.
Larysa, Halyna, and Viktoriia, Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion, sought refuge in the United States.
In 2022, Larysa fled Kyiv for the U.S. during dangerous times in her homeland. She found support from friends who became sponsors through the United for Ukraine program. Hearing about the commendable services provided by CWS, Larysa began working as a home attendant and took specialized classes facilitated by CWS. These classes, which would have been financially challenging for a newcomer like her, were made accessible through CWS’ assistance. Battling the language barrier, Larysa diligently attended English classes and made significant progress while familiarizing herself with the country’s culture. Her hard work paid off when she qualified for residency at Saint Mary’s after a thorough interview process with the CWS Housing department.
After leaving her hometown of Kherson in late 2022, Viktoriia reunited with her family in the U.S. Despite language barriers, she successfully found employment as a home attendant and babysitter. Learning about the housing opportunity at Saint Mary’s through her affiliation with CWS, Viktoriia obtained a referral and successfully qualified for free housing after an interview with Saint Mary’s, accompanied by a CWS Housing specialist.
In 2023, Halyna made the difficult decision to leave her home country and immigrate to the U.S. to seek safety. Upon arrival, she faced the challenge of adapting to a new language and culture. Despite these obstacles, she secured employment as a line cook and began saving for her own housing. Learning of the opportunity at Saint Mary’s, Halyna reached out to CWS’ Housing department, completed the necessary applications, and received a referral. After a successful interview and meeting all requirements, she was accepted into the program and moved into her new residence.
The Church World Service (CWS) Housing Department has demonstrated a significant impact in supporting refugees and newcomers in their journey to find safe, affordable housing in the United States. Through strategic partnerships and diverse programs, CWS has addressed critical housing needs for vulnerable populations, ensuring their successful integration into new communities.
To learn more about how CWS walks alongside our new neighbors as they arrive in the United States, click here. To learn more about the work of CWS Jersey City, click here.
A Celebration of Gratitude
November 27, 2024
Thanksgiving has become a cherished tradition for me, one that intertwines the values of gratitude, togetherness and resilience. As a Somali immigrant and storyteller now living in Maine, my journey to embracing this quintessentially American holiday is a testament to the power of community and the beauty of shared traditions. When I first arrived in the United States, Thanksgiving …
Stories of Change
CWS Indianapolis Team at a community soccer game where HSPRS families were invited to attend
Supported For and By Community
The CWS Indianapolis office, which opened in 2023, is a small but mighty team of ten staff members dedicated to making a meaningful difference in their community. The office’s primary focus is on the Home Study and Post Release Services program, which supports unaccompanied children as they settle into their new homes. While the team is packed with talented staff members, they always welcome extra support to amplify their impact.
That’s why the CWS CROP Hunger Walk chose the Indianapolis office as a recipient of a portion of its funds. Katherine Yajure is CWS Indianapolis’ Community Engagement Associate and attended the Greater Indianapolis CROP Hunger Walk, which has been around for 45 years, for the first time last fall. She remembers that it was a beautiful day full of sunshine and about 60-70 energized CROP Hunger Walk participants showed up that day to rally for good. By participating in the Walk, volunteers raised money to support CWS’ life-changing programs and support efforts in their local community, including those of the Indianapolis office.
With the funding they receive, CWS Indianapolis will be able to provide extra support to help families meet their most basic needs. Katherine shared, “Sometimes as caseworkers do their visits, here in Indianapolis and when they travel too, they have found that a lot of families are struggling to make ends meet and often struggle to have food at home. This can really help us support a family in those spaces, whether it’s food, rent assistance or getting them a bed.”
Beyond meeting immediate needs, the funds will also support the creation of community-building events for clients. These gatherings aim to help families connect, combat isolation and foster a sense of belonging. Katherine highlighted the importance of these events, sharing, “A lot of the times you go to the clients’ homes and they just feel like they’re the only ones going through this or that they’re alone.” For families navigating unfamiliar systems and cultures, community not only helps clients feel seen and understood but gives them the chance to support one another with things like child care, sharing advice and connecting each other to helpful resources.
Together as a community, the volunteers in CWS CROP Hunger Walks help provide the individuals and families we serve with the resources and connections they need to thrive in their new homes. They remind us of the amazing things that can happen when we all come together to care for each other.
To learn more about how you can get involved in your local CROP Hunger Walk, click here. Learn more about the work of CWS Indianapolis here.
CWS Awarded Texas Bar Foundation Grant to Expand Digital Access for Newcomers
November 19, 2024
Houston, TX – Church World Service (CWS) is pleased to announce a new grant from the Texas Bar Foundation to improve access to legal information through education about rights and responsibilities of new Texas residents. CWS is grateful to be able to partner in this work and contribute its own decades of experience alongside the Foundation in supporting the urgent …