Christmas Giving Tree to Support Refugee Families

Refugees are people who are forced to flee their country due to war or persecution. They often want to return home, but they can’t. Refugees spend an average of 17 years displaced from their homes before being resettled. Refugees are the most thoroughly vetted group that enters our country. This year, a record number of refugees are being resettled in the Chicagoland area.

This Christmas season, we have an opportunity to support refugee families by purchasing items for a Welcome Pack to help provide basic items for their first home. In addition, we have an opportunity to provide much-needed winter coats. Here’s how to participate:

·     Select an ornament from the “Giving Trees” in the lobby that names a needed item.

·     Bring the item back to church on Sunday, Dec. 15th or 22nd

·     OR Purchase the item off the Target registry to be directly shipped to church (you can access the registry through the QR code on the ornament or through this link HERE

In addition, a portion of this year’s Christmas Fund will also go to support the educational needs of refugee children.

Child refugees are uniquely vulnerable because their education in the U.N. camps can be disrupted or spotty. Many arrive with little to no English. The school system in the US is different, including different technology, different calendar and homework policies, different support systems, and college application processes. The kids arriving now are coming in the middle of the school year and will need to catch up in many ways. This fund will go towards matching 300 children to specially trained mentors who will focus on setting up these kids for school success. To contribute to the fund, click HERE and write “Christmas Fund” in the memo section.