#WorldRefugeeDay
Mother, Father, Neighbor, Business Owner, Teacher, Doctor, Community Leader, Friend.
From coast to coast--and around the world--refugee families add to fabric of our communities. As individuals forced to flee their home countries due to conflict, persecution, or violence, refugees bring with them resilience, diverse perspectives, and a deep appreciation for the opportunities provided by their new home. #RefugeesLead-- giving back economically, culturally, and socially-- showing all of us we are truly #StrongerTogether.
Who Are Refugees?
Did you know?
Refugees bring their talents, resilience and entrepreneurship to our cities and towns: starting businesses, creating jobs, paying taxes and driving local economies.
Refugees bring their food, music, art and customs, fostering more vibrant and diverse communities.
Refugees often fill critical front line jobs, including in healthcare, manufacturing, childcare and food services.
Refugees become U.S. citizens who vote, volunteer and frequently engage in community-building initiatives, fostering a sense of belonging and unity.
Americans who sponsor refugees or volunteer with local refugee service agencies will tell you time and again it is one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives.
Learn More
Celebrating CWS Harrisburg’s Growing Impact
CWS Harrisburg is a dynamic and enthusiastic office, having completed our first full fiscal year in 2023. Initially, we planned to resettle 110 refugees, but ultimately resettled 135. We began the next year with a stated capacity of 250, increased it to 440 by January, and approximately four weeks ago, raised it again to 567. For this upcoming fiscal year, …
Jalali’s Family: A Story of Resilience and Triumph
World Refugee Day is crucial for me because it recognizes the strength of my fellow refugees who have fled their country’s conflict and persecution in the hope of finding and living a better life. World Refugee Day aims to promote understanding of the refugee plight, showcase refugee resilience and courage in rebuilding their future and offer an opportunity for everyone to comprehend …
Father’s Day: A Celebration of Resilience and New Beginnings
This Father’s Day, as we celebrate the dedication and love of fathers worldwide, let’s also take a moment to recognize the courage and perseverance of refugee fathers who have overcome immense challenges to build a better life for their families. This is not just a story about fatherhood; it is also a testament to the strength and resilience of refugee …
Persevering Through Passions: Jameela and Razaz
Beyond every refugee are stories, passions and hobbies that make them unique. Each newcomer brings to their host country new valuable skills that, when given the chance, can help make our lives a little brighter. This is true for Jameela and Razaz who live in our PURE* Group Home for Youth seeking asylum in Indonesia. On paper, one might assume …
One Man, 1,000 Trees
Claude and the CWS Plant Nursery he manages *Warning: this story mentions violent incidents which may be difficult to read.* Over two decades ago, CWS program participant Claude came face-to-face with death. Like many of his fellow Congolese, this close encounter was unexpected and came as a result of the civil war that erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo …
Kakuma Camp: The Place Called Nowhere
Scroll through images above to see photos of Tonda’s recent visit to Kakuma Kakuma, in Swahili, means “nowhere.” But for over 250,000 refugees, this place is not just a spot on the map of Kenya; it is a sanctuary, it’s a temporary home. My journey to Kakuma Refugee Camp unfolded stories that were as heart-wrenching as they were inspiring. Today, …
Bonds of Welcome: How McPherson Embraced Ukrainian Refugees
In the heart of McPherson, Kansas, a community of just over 14,000 residents, a dedicated group of individuals has come together with a singular mission: to sponsor and support Ukrainian families seeking refuge and opportunity in their town. Nancy Magnall and Tina Burkholder, two remarkable members of the McPherson Welcomers, spoke to Church World Service about their sponsorship experiences through …
Giving Back and Growing Hope on World Refugee Day: Javid’s Story
This past week ahead of World Refugee Day, I visited our local resettlement office in Harrisonburg, Virginia. While there I got the opportunity to meet with clients and volunteers and hear countless inspiring stories from our refugee clients like Javid from Afghanistan. Javid was born in Kabul, and completed his high school education before receiving a scholarship to study in …
Overcoming Obstacles, Finding Purpose
Samuel’s journey to Harrisonburg, Virginia on January 23, 2020, was anything but straightforward. Born in Eritrea, he later moved to Ethiopia at the age of 13 in 2015. After spending four years there, Samuel embarked on a new chapter when he left for the United States alongside his uncle. Neither of them spoke English upon arrival, which added to the …
Refuge and Gratitude from Iceland
CWS partners with the local Moldovan organization, Zdrovii Gorod (Healthy City), to support Ukrainian refugees by providing comprehensive services including food and non-food items, social inclusion, and psychosocial support. Olga was both a program participant and a volunteer at the center. She recently moved to Iceland with her daughter, Dasha. Below is a thank you letter she wrote to Zdorovii …