Welcome the Stranger

Since September, busloads of men, women, and children, fleeing violence, political oppression and crushing poverty in their home countries, have been arriving in Chicago. The archdiocese and Catholic Charities are coordinating with government agencies and social service organizations to provide help for new arrivals.

Like many of our ancestors, they have come to us from distant places and out of troubled circumstances and with hopeful aspirations of a better life for their families and children.

Image of two women hugging each other while surrounded in a room full of people working and helping people

They are asylum seekers on our doorstep who are in deep need of help and support. They may not stand directly in front of us, but they are present. They are people whom we can welcome and help. We can change their lives, but our outreach to them can also transform our lives.

The Response

While many parishes have responded, more help is needed. Together, we have mobilized to create a coordinated Catholic response called Welcome the Stranger to assist asylum seekers so we might maximize the impact of our assistance as we bear witness to our faith.

Make a Donation to Support the Welcome the Stranger Effort

This effort is being guided by a working group made up of religious and lay leaders, and community members to evaluate opportunities to serve.

Funds collected from this campaign will support the collaborative efforts of archdiocese parishes and Catholic Charities to provide asylum seekers with basic living needs and pastoral care. Furthermore, we are hoping to create a parish family sponsorship program that will allow local families to work with their parish to sponsor an asylum-seeking family in need.

Catholic Charities is serving as a central collection point for all funds. 100% of funds collected will go to support asylum seekers with zero used for administrative costs. Catholic Charities will administer the distribution of the funds in conjunction with advisors in the Working Group.

Image of people meeting with Catholic Charities representatives

God calls us to be present for each person we meet, whether it is on the street in our own communities or at an Asylum Seeker Welcome Center. Please join us as we continue our work to accompany these travelers on their journey to a new life in America.

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