World Relief Memphis

Mission: To boldly engage the world's greatest crises in partnership with the church.

Vision: Thriving, welcoming communities where families flourish, and people experience restorative relationships with God, their neighbors, themselves, and all of creation.


Program Highlights

  • Initial Welcoming Services (IWS): Focuses on the first 90 days for newly arrived refugees, including housing placement, cultural orientation, and connecting families to community resources.

  • Newcomer Outreach (NO): Serves refugees already in the U.S., providing similar services to IWS while focusing on community integration.

  • Economic Empowerment Services: Equips immigrants and refugees with skills and resources for the American workforce, including job placement and retention support.

  • Holistic Support Services: Provides intensive case management for up to five years, helping clients address barriers to stability and community integration.

  • Refugee & Immigrant Youth Services: Offers mentorship, school enrollment support, and social and educational activities to foster student success and family participation.

  • Connect Language Center: Provides intensive ESL classes taught by certified instructors, along with community-building volunteer opportunities.

  • Church and Community Engagement: Partners with churches for training, volunteering, and cultural awareness, helping congregations serve refugees and immigrants effectively.

Community Impact

  • Resettled over 600 refugees and served 319 walk-in clients in 2024.

  • Placed 298 clients into jobs, a 55% increase from the previous year.

  • Provided English language training to 233 individuals.

  • Logged 5,693 volunteer hours with 447 volunteers and partnered with 43 churches in Memphis.

 

Support World Relief Memphis

    • For peace in conflict-affected countries and for the well-being of refugees and immigrants arriving in Memphis.

    • For staff as they navigate the challenges of working with vulnerable communities.

    • For more church partnerships, volunteers, and resources to support the mission.

    • Financial gifts support housing, transportation, ESL services, and employment programs.

    • Donate welcome kits, used vehicles, Lyft or Uber gift cards, furniture, laptops, work boots, winter clothing, and school supplies for families.

    • Join a Good Neighbor Team: Assist refugee families for their first 4–6 months in Memphis.

    • Become a Friendship Partner: Build relationships with refugee families through smaller-scale engagements.

    • Volunteer for ESL classes or explore starting a church-based ESL program.

    • Participate in cultural training and assist with administrative or operational tasks.

 

Ministry Champion

Bob Whitsitt

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Refugee Empowerment Program (REP)