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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWorld Relief Wisconsin Annual Report FY2023WISCONSIN 2023 A COMMUNITY OF WELCOME 2023 IN REVIEW Prosperity: “Plentifulness of the good things of life” Dear Friends, It has been a year of prosperity at World Relief Fox Valley. We have achieved the highest numbers in our office's history, to include arrivals (334), immigration services (284), new jobs secured (123), and engaged volunteers (212). While we celebrate these accomplishments and the significance that these numbers represent they do not capture the immeasurable impact and positive aspects of the welcome experience that our community has created. And we believe that our community is enriched by the resilience and experience contributed by newcomers. Whether it was volunteers, churches, community partners, or donors--each one contributed to building a community of welcome. So often when we give, we also receive. Therefore, we hope that you have also been the recipients of building new friendships, having unique experiences, and celebrating big and small victories- all good things in life! Thank you for making this year so special and plentiful for all in our community of welcome. Tami McLaughlin, Office Director CHANTAL’S STORY Courage in the face of adversity “My name is Chantal, and I was born in the Congo. I left when I was around the age of 12; I was so sick that I was carried on people’s backs. My Grandmother and I fled to a refugee camp. She left me and was killed in another camp. I lived in the refugee camp for 10 years. It was a hard life, but I always tried different things, like sewing.” After many years of waiting, Chantal was granted refugee status and came to the Appleton in 2019, eager to build a new life. “When we came here for the first time, it was challenging and difficult for me. Transportation was especially challenging. Where we lived if you didn’t have a car it wasn’t a problem, but here it is a problem. It is difficult to do anything without transportation. But when I met Susie, it started to change.” Susie was Chantal’s caseworker through Preferred Communities (PC). PC is a program that allows World Relief to walk alongside an individual for an extended amount of time to empower them with the tools they need to thrive. Susie and Chantal built a relationship that soon turned into a friendship. Susie supported Chantal in areas like getting connected to English classes and applying for a housing voucher. “It was also surprising to find out I couldn’t work due to my handicap.” Chantal says. “I felt that I couldn’t do anything, as if I am no one. I felt like I failed. But I had help from World Relief, they helped me to get materials, like a sewing machine and a computer. Even if I don’t go out of my house, I am at least working.” Chantal also found support in the community around her. “One of the things is that I found out people here take care of each other, so people tried to help me with anything… even some volunteers that were sent by World Relief that helped me a lot.” This fall Chantal graduated from the Preferred Communities program because she has met the goals she set for herself. “I am most happy that I am no longer afraid of life now, I am no longer afraid even though I am no longer working with World Relief.” Like many of the clients we serve, Chantal exhibits perseverance in the face of adversity, and we are honored that she calls the Fox Valley her home. - Chantal Kampire “I am most happy that I am no longer afraid of life now, I am no longer afraid even though I am no longer working with World Relief.” 334 Refugee arrivals in 2023 123 New jobs 75 New homes 2X Our staff doubled 98 Participated in our new cultural orientation program 34 Completed refugee mental health assesments More than Numbers Each of the numbers represents more than a figure but rather a person. Someone who is establishing new life here in Wisconsin full of opportunities and relationships. 2023 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 1 New office opened in Chippewa Valley IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES ILS work is vital to the long- term integration of our refugee community ILS Director, Phil shares “We exist to provide competent and affordable immigration services to refugees and immigrants who might not otherwise be able to afford or access legal services. It’s really challenging to have people sitting in front of you, who are separated from their family members. But the most rewarding part is when the work comes to fruition, and someone gets a green card or citizenship, or we get to see them reunited with their family after years apart. That is a microcosm of the work we do – its heavy with longing and waiting, and on the other side is the joy of being reunited. Almost a glimpse of heaven in a way.” 260 Total cases filed including: green cards, citizenship, and others 5 Asylum cases granted 19 Afghan asylum cases filed and pending Due to growth in funding and clients for this year, the Education Services Team was re-established in July of 2023. The goal is to strengthen newcomer cultural orientation programming and enhance newcomer life skills. Cultural Orientation is a mandatory part of each adult newcomer's resettlement process. Newcomers receive education on the following 15 topics which are essential to thriving in America: EDUCATION SERVICES Empowerment to a new life in the U.S. Orientation and integration is a two-way street. Our Education Services Team also educates our community partners on newcomers’ customs and background. Education and understanding can lead to mutual respect. Budget & Personal Finance Cultural Adjustment Digital Technology & Literacy Education Employment Health & Hygiene Housing Encourage English Learning Newcomer Rights & Responsibilities Public Assistance Role of Resettlement Agency Safety Transportation U.S. Laws Your New Community COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT Learning from one another We want relational change to happen in both directions, something we call “mutual transformation”. This means that both people in a relationship are learning from one another. This past year a faithful group of volunteers helped with countless acts, both seen and unseen, to welcome and empower in a variety of ways. Brian and Sue were two of those volunteers. Their Good Neighbor Team, from The Jordan, first got connected with an Afghan family in the fall of 2022. “The first time we met, all of a sudden a blanket was laid out and the food came out of the kitchen… It was all about making us comfortable,” Brian shares. Building a relationship wasn’t without difficulty; dealing with a language barrier and different cultural values involved miscommunications and awkward moments. But a year later, the team is seeing the fruit of their labor. worth over $135,000 4,400 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME The value of engaging our community in this work is immeasurable, and at the center of it all is relationships. - Craig Miller, Volunteer “I don’t just do “stuff” for the family I’m matched with. As friends we walk, talk and just hang out together. We shared joy in the birth of their new son, and they grieved with our family through a tragic death. This continues to be a life changing journeythat we are sograteful to experience!” Good Neighbor Teams 18 212 Total volunteers Church partners 19 “We’ve become good friends... We try to meet every other week,” Mary shares. Members from their team still meet with the family to practice English. Brian, the pastor at The Jordan, sees a clear connection between his faith and the calling to love his neighbor. “Every family and situation is different, but everyone is a child of God. Treating them with respect and dignity… this is what we are called to do in the world.” As for Mary, this experience has embodied mutual transformation in a tangible way. “Having this family in our lives has been a real gift. They are wonderful people. We do learn a lot from them, they have taught us a lot about family and how important that is - it’s made our lives richer. They have as much to give you as you have to give them.” AFGHAN WOMEN’S GROUP A gathering place to connect and learn Farah, our Afghan Community Ambassador, collaborated with community partners to lead a group of Afghan women to learn more about the culture and life in the U.S. for nine months. The women who participated had gone through tremendous loss and transition, and there was a need to connect and share that experience with other women. The women gathered biweekly over tea to learn and process the transition to life here. Topics were covered in the group such as education, transportation, cultural integration, medical navigation, laws in the U.S., Financial literacy, digital literacy and self-care. Below 5050-6060-7070-8080-9090-1000 2 4 6 8 10 12 Pre-class test Post-class test Class Success Participants took a test on the group subjects before and after the group to measure their knowledge. “During this group, I learned the importance of togetherness and I learned how much this group helped the women get adjusted to the community and found more friends from their own community. During this group, women could share their stories and I learned that even within a country there are different customs and culture and we have to respect the differences.” -Farahnaz Asghari, Group Leader “After participating in this group, I can easily find free WiFi, use online maps and I know a lot of good resources for self care” -Group Participant “This group helped me learn about schooling system in the U.S., U.S. culture and transportation system” -Group Participant “I feel safe in this group and can share my story with friends without being judged” -Group Participant THANK YOU! A note to recognize volunteers, community partners, church partners, etc. 75 WORDS We work with local partners to meet refugees at their first point of safety, providing emergency aid to families living in temporary shelters — including clean water, food, tarps, hygiene kits and other essential items. As refugee families realize they may never return home, they often face an overwhelming loss of hope. Alongside local partners, we work to combat this by providing trauma counseling, mother and parent groups, and safe spaces and literacy clubs for refugee children to learn, grow and play. “If you’re like us, you believe that everyone deserves a place to call ‘home’. You believe that families and young children deserve safety and security. And you want to do something to help.” Public Grants 91.1% Private Funding 7.7% Salaries 55.9% Direct Client Expenses 26.9% Direct Expenses 12.6% Indirect Expenses 4.6% INCOME Total income $3.02 M Total operating budget $3.02 M EXPENSES 2023 FINANCIALS WISCONSIN 920-231-3600 • wrwisconsin@wr.org worldrelief.org/wisconsin/ THANK YOU for moving with us in 2023. Join us in building a community of welcome in 2024. Donate here. FOX VALLEY- APPLETON 510 E Wisconsin Ave Appleton, WI 54911 FOX VALLEY - OSHKOSH 404 N Main St, Suite 701 Oshkosh, WI 54901 CHIPPEWA VALLEY 221 W Madison Street, Suite 107 Eau Claire, WI 547031 WISCONSIN 2023 A COMMUNITY OF WELCOME