On January 14, 2025, a Peruvian mother and her three young children (under the age of 9) arrived from a refugee camp in Guatemala to Chicago.
The Welcome Our Neighbor Ministry was contacted by our partner agency, Exodus World Service, on April 14 with an urgent request for food assistance for the family. This family was food insecure, despite the fact the Mom was working.
Once again, thanks to your financial support, the WON Ministry was able to purchase culturally appropriate food, which was delivered on Holy Thursday to their small, one-bedroom apartment. The family was extremely grateful.
Representatives from the WON ministry recently attended the Celebration of Hope dinner sponsored by our partner Exodus and received updated information about the challenges the refugee community is experiencing. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is paused indefinitely and recently resettled refugees are experiencing delays in services(as all funding was eliminated). Exodus is mobilizing the Christian community, with partners like St. Isidore Parish, to provide emergency groceries, baby supplies, and household essentials to refugee families with urgent needs.
Our ministry will continue to assist where we can, and ask that you continue to pray for the 37 million refugees worldwide and our WON ministry.
To learn more about Exodus World Service you can access their website here: exodusworldservice.org
There are many opportunities for volunteers to provide practical care and friendship to resettled refugees in Chicagoland and you can read more about this on the Exodus website.