Written by program participant Oksana, this blog shares how she and her daughter Masha fled war in Ukraine and found safety, healing and hope through support from CWS’s local partner, Healthy City. Fleeing Odesa with My Daughter My name is Oksana. I am a single mother, and I am raising my daughter Masha, who is now 6 years old. We are from Odesa. Before the war, …
Rebuilding Smiles: Maxim’s Journey to Restart His Career in Moldova
The following blog was written by Maxim, a program participant of CWS’s local partner, Healthy City (also known as Zdorovii Gorod), which supports Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion and psychosocial support. Starting Over After Displacement My name is Maxim, I am from the city of Mykolaiv. Before the war in Ukraine, I worked as a dental technician. …
Holding On to Hope: A Ukrainian Family’s Journey to Safety in Moldova
The Union for Equity and Health, CWS’s local partner, provides psychological, social and medical assistance to people in Moldova. Written by one program participant, this blog shares her family’s experience fleeing Ukraine and finding refuge and medical support in Moldova. Fleeing Zaporizhzhia for the Unknown My name is Irina Gerasimova. I’m 66 years old, a pensioner and widow from Zaporizhzhia. On February 8, 2023, my son Andrey and I were …
From Mariupol to Moldova: A Family’s Journey Through Displacement and Recovery
The Union for Equity and Health, CWS’s local partner, provides psychological, social and medical assistance to people in Moldova. Written by one program participant, this blog shares his experience of fleeing war in Ukraine, finding refuge in Moldova and navigating health challenges. Finding Refuge in Moldova My wife, son, and I lived in Mariupol, Ukraine. We worked there and had our own home. We had everything …
CWS Celebrates Reintroduction of the GRACE Act
December 18, 2025
Washington, D.C.—This International Migrants Day, Church World Service celebrates the reintroduction of the Guaranteed Refugee Admission Ceiling Enhancement (GRACE) Act, landmark legislation that would establish a minimum annual refugee admissions floor of 125,000. The legislation—introduced by Sen. Markey (D-MA) and Rep. Lofgren (D-CA-18)—would prevent future administrations from slashing refugee admissions and would affirm the U.S. historic role as a beacon of hope for those most in need of protection …
Finding Hope in Challenging Times: Reflections from the Virtual Integration Services Team
Nandini Sridhar |
Season’s greetings from CWS’s Virtual Integration Services (VIS) Team! We hope that this season of hope finds you well and that you are able to spend meaningful time with family and friends. Here at VIS, we have been reflecting on all of the challenges and successes in the last year and are grateful for your companionship this season. VIS supporting Emergency Response On January 24th, The US State Department halted resettlement programs and sent a …
TAKE ACTION: Urge Your Members of Congress to Support the GRACE Act to Protect and Strengthen the Refugee Program
Tens of thousands of refugees who had already been approved for resettlement in the U.S. are stranded overseas in dangerous conditions in the wake of President Trump’s indefinite refugee ban. At the same time, the Trump administration is subjecting refugees living in U.S. communities to an onslaught of attacks. With refugee admissions still indefinitely suspended, the administration says it plans …
CWS Deeply Alarmed by Trump Administration’s Expanded Travel Ban
Christopher Plummer | December 17, 2025
Washington, D.C.—Church World Service strongly opposes the Trump administration’s latest travel ban, which more than doubles the number of countries whose citizens are partially or fully blocked from the United States. This dramatic expansion of its previous travel ban now impacts nationals from 39 countries, barring individuals from 19 countries (plus those holding Palestinian Authority-issued documents) and partially excluding individuals from 20 additional countries. As …
Ending 2025 with Hope: Your Impact Through CWS Kits and Blankets
In a year marked by global hunger and devastating disasters, CWS supporters brought light and hope to communities in need. Together, you provided more than 141,000 essential supplies, helping families rebuild, stay safe and know they are not alone. This year, our neighbors have faced extraordinary challenges. Across the globe, 318 million people are entering the new year at crisis levels of hunger In the Caribbean, communities …
Winter in Ukraine: Responding to Rising Food Insecurity on the Frontlines
December 12, 2025
As Ukraine braces for another harsh winter, food insecurity is surging—especially in frontline areas where conflict, inflation and energy poverty collide. CWS is committed to walking alongside vulnerable communities, ensuring access to food and dignity in the face of growing hardship. A Perfect Storm: Conflict, Inflation and Cold In Ukraine’s frontline oblasts, the convergence of war, economic instability and seasonal hardship is …