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“We’ve got a friendly competition going,” said Judy, a member of Bethany United Church of Christ in Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood.
She’s referring to the Chili Cookoff they host each year with their friends at nearby Pilgrim Lutheran Church. The two congregations use the funds raised to welcome refugee families like Mohammad’s, a Rohingya family we resettled in 2018. Judy and other congregation members were at O’Hare with RefugeeOne to greet Mohammad, his wife, and their then 2-year-old daughter. They’ve been friends ever since. Mohammad—a hard worker—quickly found a job at O’Hare and began working toward self-reliance. Having been denied the ability to work in Burma, he was proud to be providing for his family. |
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Then everything changed due to COVID-19.
Like hundreds of refugees in Chicago, Mohammad’s stability was upended by the pandemic. This spring, he was furloughed from the job he had maintained for more than a year. Soon, his employer would let the majority of the staff go completely, including Mohammad.
Accessing unemployment, public benefits, and other forms of pandemic assistance can be difficult for refugee families who are still learning English and grappling to adjust to life in the U.S.
Thankfully, Mohammad’s co-sponsors were there to offer support during this moment of need.
Judy and other volunteers organized food deliveries and checked in with the family often. They even took them grocery shopping, helping them understand important health and safety protocol like wearing masks and how to properly wipe down surfaces.
This isn’t the group’s first time co-sponsoring a refugee family. Some of Judy’s favorite memories over the years include learning how to make tom yum soup and sharing in each other’s cultures, holidays, and traditions.
“It’s been such a rewarding experience. We were especially grateful for the trainings RefugeeOne provided,” said Judy. “They really prepare you for a lot of things you might not expect.
The two churches forged their partnership days after President Trump announced a refugee and Muslim travel ban one week after his inauguration. Originally motivated by the rampant myths and negative rhetoric about refugees, Judy says they continue the work today because of the relationships they’ve formed.
That affinity was evident at a gathering the group hosted for the family. When asked if they had other relatives in the U.S., Mohammad looked around proudly and stated: “This is our family now.”
Like hundreds of refugees in Chicago, Mohammad’s stability was upended by the pandemic. This spring, he was furloughed from the job he had maintained for more than a year. Soon, his employer would let the majority of the staff go completely, including Mohammad.
Accessing unemployment, public benefits, and other forms of pandemic assistance can be difficult for refugee families who are still learning English and grappling to adjust to life in the U.S.
Thankfully, Mohammad’s co-sponsors were there to offer support during this moment of need.
Judy and other volunteers organized food deliveries and checked in with the family often. They even took them grocery shopping, helping them understand important health and safety protocol like wearing masks and how to properly wipe down surfaces.
This isn’t the group’s first time co-sponsoring a refugee family. Some of Judy’s favorite memories over the years include learning how to make tom yum soup and sharing in each other’s cultures, holidays, and traditions.
“It’s been such a rewarding experience. We were especially grateful for the trainings RefugeeOne provided,” said Judy. “They really prepare you for a lot of things you might not expect.
The two churches forged their partnership days after President Trump announced a refugee and Muslim travel ban one week after his inauguration. Originally motivated by the rampant myths and negative rhetoric about refugees, Judy says they continue the work today because of the relationships they’ve formed.
That affinity was evident at a gathering the group hosted for the family. When asked if they had other relatives in the U.S., Mohammad looked around proudly and stated: “This is our family now.”