Refugee Ministry

Thank you for helping to provide essentials for life to neighbors in need! 


Our Saviour’s has a long history of working with World Relief Chicagoland to provide support for individuals who have gone through the long process to be admitted into the United States as refugees. Working with World Relief, Our Saviour's Refugee Ministry has helped set up and furnish apartments for recently resettled refugee families. Prior to the suspension of the U.S. refugee resettlement program in 2025, Refugee Ministry worked throughout the year to provide household essentials such as towels, bed sheets, tableware and kitchen tools to those served by World Relief. Even though the resettlement program itself is at a standstill, there remains a need to support families who resettled to the U.S. prior to January 2025.


Do you have a $250 Thrivent card you're looking to use? Donate it to Refugee Ministry! Resettled families are in need of essentials such as groceries, clothing for work, household items and more. Please contact info@oursaviours.com if you have a card you can donate or would like to learn more.


Refugee Ministry is grateful for monetary donations to help with immediate needs (food, bus pass etc.,) To donate, click here: https://onrealm.org/oslc/-/give/refugees


We also encourage congregants to pursue one of our many different volunteer opportunities to work with refugee families. This includes everything from pulling together home furnishings to tutoring to providing transportation to medical appointments. To volunteer, click here: https://worldrelief.org/chicagoland/volunteer/ 

Additional ways to get involved

Each week we will be sharing additional opportunities to get involved with the Refugee Ministry.

  • Youth Tutor Opportunities

    Build relationships by coming alongside a refugee or immigrant youth and their parent(s) as they adjust to homework, school, and parenting in the U.S. Assist with homework, English basics and parent networking 1.5 hours per week for 4 – 6 months. Focused on providing support to children and their parents by working on homework and building understanding of the American school system, the home-based setting provides a different opportunity for connection. For additional information contact our volunteer onboarding coordinator who fields initial questions and helps people walk through the steps to become a volunteer. His name is Jake, and his email is volunteerchicago@wr.org.

  • English Language Tutor

    Practice conversational English and language skills with an adult refugee or immigrant, becoming friends in the process! (Note: Language tutors must be Illinois residents due to funding stipulations). Individuals with existing ESL certifications or persons willing to participate in a 7-hour ESL training are needed. Two hours/week for four-six months (one semester) commitment. For additional information contact the Education Volunteer Coordinator, Courtney at cprus@wr.org. To sign up for this volunteer opportunity, please click this link: https://chicagoland.worldrelief.org/volunteer-application/

  • Friendship Partner

    Combat loneliness and isolation through intentional friendship. Get to know a refugee or immigrant family and help them feel known and connected by providing consistent friendship and cultural empowerment, while assisting in practical ways. To sign up for this or other volunteer opportunities, please click this link: https://chicagoland.worldrelief.org/volunteer-application/


  • Young Adult Mentor

    Mentor a young adult refugee as they prepare for the next step in their higher education or career path, building their confidence and your relationship in the process. World Relief DuPage/Aurora seeks volunteers willing to work with young persons (18-24), with possibility of some aged 15-18) to help them become “job-ready” in a variety of vocational fields. The focus is on how to apply for jobs, interview, arrange transportation and evaluate/begin different training programs that might be related to their field of interest. Specific job knowledge is not required – just a willingness to help a young person sort through their options. Commitment is about 1.5 hours every other week for six months. For additional information contact Jake at volunteerchicago@wr.org.

  • After School Tutor

    Help refugee kids with homework after school hours. Looking for volunteers to give two hours per week at Wheaton and Aurora locations. Elementary/Middle/High school opportunities available for Aurora. Elementary opportunities available in Wheaton. 1.5 hours/week and on-site training provided by World Relief. For additional information, contact Jake at volunteerchicago@wr.org  

  • Health Advocate

    Provide friendship and support remotely to a refugee or asylee individual or family who is facing extra challenges or barriers to receiving the services they need or is simply experiencing additional stress under COVID. To sign up for an orientation to this or other volunteer opportunities, please click this link: https://chicagoland.worldrelief.org/volunteer-application/

  • Apartment SET-UP ASSISTANTS

    Create a welcoming environment for refugees and immigrants in their new homes by delivering and setting up household items. To attend an orientation for this or other volunteer opportunities, please click this link: https://chicagoland.worldrelief.org/volunteer-application/