By July 2024, climate scientists were already projecting that this calendar year will end as the hottest one on record and have begun tracking the potential impacts of continued warming on critical climate system tipping points. Human-driven climate change continues to disproportionately impact poor, marginalized and excluded households and communities, both in the United States and globally. In many communities …
A Ray of Light
September 20, 2024
*Trigger Warning: the following text contains testimonies about domestic violence and abuse towards women.* The Rehabilitation Center for Torture Victims, known as Memoria, is a CWS local partner in Moldova which serves Ukrainian refugees and Moldovan gender-based violence survivors to access life-saving medical and psychosocial support. The following are written by two program participants whose names and identities have remained …
Stories of Change
Anna and her children at Anastasis
“We come here and feel at home”
In a small village in Ukraine’s Dnepropetrovsk region, Anna and her husband Andrei were building a life for their three sons. The dedication they gave to their family was extra special because they had an extra special son who has Down syndrome and requires additional care. Despite any challenges they faced, they were happy and united—until the war came.
Financial struggles and their son’s health initially kept them rooted in place. But in spring 2023, Russian rockets struck their village. Amidst chaos and fear, Anna and Andrei made the heart-wrenching decision to leave everything behind to save their children.
“We had to walk to the border crossing; there was no other way,” Anna recalls. “Because we had three children, including one with a disability, my husband was allowed to leave the country with us. When we reached Moldova, I breathed deeply. We didn’t know what would happen next, but I was grateful to God that we were all together.”
In Bălți, Moldova, the family found support at the *Anastasis Educational Center. Here, they received essential items like clothes, shoes and food, as well as psychological counseling. The center also provided information about refugee services and internet access to communicate with loved ones back in Ukraine. “As soon as we arrived in Bălți, we were blessed to find the Anastasis Center,” Anna says. “We were received with great care and warmth and encouraged to be strong and move forward.”
Through the support of the Anastasis Center, Anna’s family adapted to their new reality and more easily overcame the psycho-emotional and social crisis they were experiencing. The children began eagerly attending the center, benefiting from all the necessary support and care.
“Now I’m at peace, knowing my boys are safe,” Anna shares. “They feel very good here. They love all the center’s activities, and when they’re happy, I’m content. Anastasis is our door to Ukraine. We come here and feel at home.”
Today, Anna’s family cherishes each day lived in peace. Every smile from their boys is a small victory. Despite painful memories of the past, they’ve found the strength to move forward, to dream, and to build a future in Moldova. “We thank the Anastasis team for all the support they’ve given us,” Anna says gratefully. “The generosity and kindness we’ve received here have given us security and confidence. Thank you for being here for us.”
*The Anastasis Educational Center is run by our local partner, Diaconia, and aims to help Ukrainian refugees heal and rebuild their lives. At the center, program participants can receive psychological support, attend vocational classes, partake in fun activities and access computers to attend online school.
This story is possible thanks to CWS’ membership in ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. It is also supported by the generosity of UMCOR. You can learn more about the work we are doing in Moldova to support Ukrainian refugees by clicking here.
Stories of Change
Maxim at the Anastasis Educational Center with his new friends
Maxim’s Unwavering Determination
Maxim is 15 years old and tall with kind eyes that reflect his gentle spirit. He’s always the first to offer help when someone needs it. Growing up in a family that has faced financial difficulties, life hasn’t always been easy for Maxim. His journey through school has been particularly challenging because of his special educational needs, which at times meant he often struggled to keep up with his peers. This difference sometimes left him feeling excluded and unaccepted.
But Maxim’s story is one of quiet resilience. Since becoming one of the first program participants of the *Anastasis Educational Center, Maxim has rarely missed a day. The Center became his second home, a place where he wasn’t just accepted but embraced. “The Anastasis Center is my family,” Maxim said. “I feel fine here. I’ve made new friends! When they need help, I’m there for them. We like spending time together.”
With the gentle, steady support of the Center’s team, Maxim slowly started to open up. He gained confidence, not just in himself, but in his abilities. As he received help with his homework and guidance through the educational challenges he faced, his academic performance improved. He realized that with hard work and dedication, he could rise to meet those challenges head-on. “Now I go to school with pleasure, and my classmates are friendly with me,” Maxim says, a smile of pride on his face.
The impact of the Anastasis Center didn’t stop at Maxim’s education. His family, included in various support programs developed by the Center’s partnerships, received much-needed assistance, including food, clothes and other essentials that eased their daily struggles. This collective support has not only improved their quality of life, but has given Maxim’s family hope for a better future.
Maxim’s story is a testament to the power of resilience. Despite the difficulties he’s faced, he has shown that with the right support and unwavering determination, any obstacle can be overcome.
*The Anastasis Educational Center is run by our local partner, Diaconia, and aims to help Ukrainian refugees heal and rebuild their lives. At the center, program participants can receive psychological support, attend vocational classes, partake in fun activities and access computers to attend online school.
This story is possible thanks to CWS’ membership in ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. It is also supported by the generosity of UMCOR. You can learn more about the work we are doing in Moldova to support Ukrainian refugees by clicking here.
Stories of Change
Victor in the Anastasis Educational Center with one of his teachers
Victor’s Big Dream
It was the summer of 2022, and Victor, just five years old, faced a moment no child should ever experience. As war erupted in Ukraine, Victor had to say goodbye to his father who had to stay behind to fight for his country. He hugged him tightly, sensing that it might be a long time before they would see each other again. Though he would have preferred a family vacation, the reality was much harsher. Alongside his mother, Olena, and older brother, Andrei, Victor fled their home in Odesa, leaving behind everything he loved, including his father.
The family found safety in Moldova, but the absence of Victor’s father weighed heavily on him. Victor watched as Andrei started attending the *Anastasis Educational Center, where he made new friends and found stability. It wasn’t just a place for learning; it became a pillar of support for their mother, Olena, offering the assistance she desperately needed.
That following year, the family of three attended a summer camp. For a week, Victor spent a week filled with joy, laughter and companionship with his mother and brother. He also created new friendships with other children from the Anastasis Center. It was there that Victor’s new hope began to take shape: he dreamt of joining his brother at Anastasis, to be with his new friends and find a place where he could feel at home.
By September, Victor’s dream had come true. Now six years old, he started attending Anastasis himself. Within just one week, he integrated into the group of children, eagerly participating in all the activities the Center had to offer. Every day, he arrived with enthusiasm, and by evening, he was reluctant to leave his friends and teachers behind. Anastasis had become a second home for him, a place where he felt safe and cared for.
For Olena, the Center offered more than just a safe space for her sons; it gave her peace of mind. “I am very happy because my sons have a wonderful place where they learn new things and spend their time in meaningful ways,” she shared. “This has allowed me to attend a vocational course and work toward regaining my financial independence. I have peace of mind knowing they are safe.”
Yet, despite all the new experiences and friendships, Victor still holds onto a deeper longing. His greatest dream is to reunite with his father. “When I am here, I feel at home, like I’m in Odesa,” Victor said. “But I really wish that one evening my father would come for me.”
Thanks to the support provided by the Anastasis team, Victor is thriving. He grows and learns each day, surrounded by affection, attention and care. While no amount of fun can fill the dad-sized gap in Victor’s heart, Anastasis is helping to make sure Victor is loved and happy, until he can finally reunite with his him.
*The Anastasis Educational Center is run by our local partner, Diaconia, and aims to help Ukrainian refugees heal and rebuild their lives. At the center, program participants can receive psychological support, attend vocational classes, partake in fun activities and access computers to attend online school.
This story is possible thanks to CWS’ membership in ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy. It is also supported by the generosity of UMCOR. You can learn more about the work we are doing in Moldova to support Ukrainian refugees by clicking here.
Stories of Change
Felistus Nguyo and her chickens
Clucking to Success: Mama Nguyo’s Inspirational Journey
Kitui lies in the rolling hills of eastern Kenya, about three hours west of Nairobi. Highways lead to dirt roads, which lead to communities of people living in remote, difficult terrain. In the rainy season, the landscape comes alive with green grasses and flowing streams, but it is often dry with patches of red dirt and sparse vegetation. Growing crops can be difficult, and natural disasters often bring worries of hunger and thirst.
It was here, just outside her home, that Felistus Nguyo stood waiting to greet us in a bright, beautiful dress and a warm smile.
Felistus is known in her community as Mama Nguyo. Widowed and the mother of seven children, she has seen hardships and joys throughout her life. When locusts swarmed her community and destroyed much of their crops, Mama Nguyo became increasingly worried about how to feed herself and her family.
Through the support of CWS, Mama Nguyo received the building blocks she needed: three chickens. Because of the care she provided to her small flock, Mama Nguyo now has 20 chickens and was able to buy a rooster of her own.
Mama Nguyo proudly showed us her chickens while telling us about the impact they have had on her life. She calls them her “business and her livelihood.” Her garden, which feeds both her family and her flock, is thriving because she can use the chicken waste as fertilizer. She has made enough money from selling eggs and chickens at the market that she was able to not only provide food for her family but also buy new and comfortable chairs for her home.
The chickens that changed Mama Nguyo’s life clucked in the background as she told us, “I am happy and doing so well” now. It was apparent that the support she received from CWS didn’t just help her survive the locusts’ swarm—it gave her the tools she needed to build a more stable future for herself and her family.
You can support programs like this one by joining your local CROP Hunger Walk. You can learn more about our work in Africa here.
Stories of Change
CWS Period Pack assembly by the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ) in Columbus, OH
Uniting to Combat Period Poverty
This June, the Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ) assembled 100 CWS Period Packs during the annual Adult Conference in Columbus. With support from the generosity of many congregations, CWS was able to purchase supplies for these Kits, which are filled with essential items like tampons, soap and flushable wipes.
“CWS is so blessed to have generous congregations and donors that care about menstrual justice. Each year, they share their love for our neighbors through the simple act of kindness of sharing hygiene supplies with others. And we’re so grateful for their compassion towards others,” said Matthew Stevens, CWS’ Director of Congregational Campaigns.
The assembled CWS Period Packs were delivered to our affiliate partners at Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS) in Columbus, which supports refugees and immigrants in the Central Ohio community reach safety and stability, sustain self-sufficiency and achieve successful integration in their new homes. Through CRIS, these CWS Period Packs will be shared with newly arriving families to provide them with essential supplies upon their arrival in the United States.
Andrew Gifford, CWS’ Community Engagement Manager, shared about the experience of people of faith coming together to address the needs of our neighbors. “Seeing people unite to meet the needs of our neighbors is truly inspiring. Creating CWS Period Packs is a powerful way for compassionate individuals to make a meaningful impact, both in their local communities and across the nation. Together, we can bring comfort and dignity to those who need it most.”
Hygiene items can be expensive, and these donated Period Packs will help ease the financial burden for our new neighbors. By meeting this crucial need, we extend a warm and supportive welcome to those starting their new lives in our community.
CWS Period Packs are part of a joint menstrual hygiene kit initiative with UMCOR to provide essential health and dignity products to vulnerable communities across the U.S. Kits are easy to assemble and cost an estimated $25 to make. Learn more about CWS Period Packs and how you can help end period poverty on the CWS Kits website.
Should I Be Laughing? Reflecting on Springfield, OH
Madison O'Day | September 18, 2024
It is almost impossible to overstate the significance of humor to human development. While historians believe that the oldest recorded joke dates back to 1900 BC, I am personally convinced that humans have employed humor as long as we have possessed language. Our place in the world is defined in part by our ability to make and understand jokes, which …
Stories of Change
First photo: Madison representing Church World Service at an outreach table. Second Photo: A client holding her check from the Solidarity Fund, with her face excluded to protect her privacy.
CWS Durham’s Immigrant Solidarity Fund
Trigger Warning: This story mentions reference to sexual and gender-based violence.
My name is Madison Burke, and I serve as the Migrant Services Coordinator at Church World Service (CWS) Durham. I oversee the Immigrant Solidarity Fund, a grassroots community fund providing essential financial assistance to undocumented individuals facing emergencies such as natural disasters, eviction notices or wage theft. I’ve been in this role for over a year, and every day I witness the significant impact this fund has on our community.
Before joining CWS, I spent four years advocating for survivors of domestic violence at another nonprofit. I worked with many undocumented individuals from various backgrounds, primarily from Mexico and Central America. This experience opened my eyes to the immense barriers faced by undocumented people in the U.S., including lack of access to critical resources and legal protection. When I transitioned to my current role, I was motivated by a desire to continue supporting the immigrant community and found this opportunity to be uniquely impactful.
The Immigrant Solidarity Fund is also a lifeline for many. It involves both client-facing and development work, including accepting and reviewing applications, managing a waitlist, and connecting clients to other resources. On the development side, we focus on increasing support for the fund and spreading awareness about its importance. The fund was established in 2019 in response to a surge in immigrant detentions and deportations in the Triangle area of North Carolina, affecting many families, some with U.S. citizen children, who had few resources available.
One poignant story involves a couple from Venezuela who endured a harrowing journey through the Darien Gap and the Sonoran Desert, leaving their children behind due to the dangers of the trip. The wife was tragically assaulted near the U.S.-Mexico border. When they reached our area, they were in inadequate housing and needed medical care. With a microgrant from the Immigrant Solidarity Fund, they were able to secure better housing. Later, the wife reached out to me, sharing that she had recently found out she was pregnant and was concerned about getting medical attention. I connected the wife with prenatal care and other wrap around services. She eventually sent me a picture of her healthy newborn, a testament to the support they received.
Another case involved a long-term community member with two U.S. citizen children with significant medical needs. After her partner left, she struggled to balance work and care for her children, falling behind on rent and facing eviction. A microgrant from the fund helped her pay off the back rent and avoid eviction, providing some stability during a challenging time.
Undocumented individuals, estimated to number over 12 million in the U.S. and over 360,000 in North Carolina, face numerous challenges. Despite contributing to state and federal taxes, they are ineligible for many government programs, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and harassment. The fund relies entirely on community donations, and its grassroots nature means every contribution directly supports local families in need. CWS covers the overhead costs of administering the fund so that all donations can go directly to families. There are five separate regional funds throughout the state, and donations stay local within the community. Since its inception in 2019, the fund has distributed almost $1,100,000 in direct cash assistance to hundreds of families.
The strength of the fund lies in the community’s willingness to come together and support one another. Even small monthly contributions can collectively make a significant difference. It’s inspiring to see people rally around their neighbors, ensuring that those in need receive the help they deserve. We are also proud to partner with immigrant led and focused non-profits in each region, who provide local knowledge, resources, refer clients to the fund, and assist with fundraising efforts. Please view our website for more information on our partners.
We hope to find more support for the Immigrant Solidarity Fund. Your donations directly impact local families, helping them through emergencies and providing stability. If you’re not in North Carolina, consider supporting similar initiatives in your area. Together, we can make a substantial difference.
For those interested in contributing, you can visit our website to select the regional fund you wish to support and set up your donation, whether monthly or one-time. For any questions, feel free to reach out to Madison at mburke@cwsglobal.org.
The Immigrant Solidarity Fund is more than just a donation; it’s an act of solidarity with those who face immense challenges. Your contribution helps provide a safety net for undocumented individuals, ensuring they have the resources needed to thrive. Thank you for considering a gift to this vital fund.
To learn more about this program visit the Immigrant Solidarity Fund Website
Take Action: Urge Congress to Protect and Support Those Displaced By Climate Change
September 17, 2024
According to the UN Refugee Agency, over 120 million individuals have been displaced from their homes around the world, more than at any other time in human history. An increasingly significant factor in the displacement of people around the world is the prevalence of climate disasters and ongoing environmental change. In 2022, there were 33 million displacements globally that were …