According to the United Nations, throughout the world, there are approximately 22.5 million refugees looking for some slice of home outside of the place they had known. In one of Chicago’s most diverse neighborhoods, Albany Park, many of these individuals and families find their piece of home.
When the former deaconess of Tabor Lutheran Church read a post on EveryBlock, a community discussion board, the church reached out and connected with people serving refugees and invited them to share a meal at Tabor. This meal led to an organized program which now serves to provide household items, diapers, and connection points for refugees settling into life in Albany Park.
Most of the refugees Tabor works with came to the United States from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran with Special Interest Visas, which they gained by working with the United States government, particularly the military, while they were in their home countries. Many of the men in these families even gave up their previous jobs to help the United States. Upon arriving in the United States, agencies help refugees get settled. However, agencies often only have the resources to help families find an unfurnished apartment. New to the country, many of these families do not have financial resources available to furnish their apartments. This is where Tabor and the community meet these families in their place of need.
Conversations began among the group who gathered for a meal at Tabor to see if anyone knew anyone who had beds, household equipment, or finances to be put toward computers and telephones which they would be willing to donate to these families. Significantly, the answer was, “yes!”
Tabor dedicated a few rooms to house these items, and twice per month refugee families are welcome to come take what they need, including diapers, at no cost. This led Tabor to begin building relationships with these families. One Christian Iranian family attended Tabor for several months before they had to move again, Pastor Robarge has been able to meet regularly with the dad of an Iraqi family who recently moved in across the street, and a few families have come out to Tabor’s monthly community events.
The Lord has used Tabor to play an important role in the lives of these families as they transition to life in a country and climate vastly different from their own. Agencies now connect families to Tabor before they even arrive in the country. This ministry has not only allowed Tabor to serve refugees, but has given Tabor a more familiar presence in the neighborhood. Pastor Robarge says, “a lot of people have seen Tabor or walked by Tabor, but have never been inside. It’s given them the chance to see that we’re a church that’s for our neighborhood and want to care people.” Maybe, for some, recognizing that will be the step which leads them to walk in the front doors.
We are grateful for and want to continue to share these stories. You are invited to partner with us through prayer and donation.