RefugeeOne

10/08/2026

Congratulations to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights on 40 years of organizing, empowering, and creating a place of welcome.

RefugeeOne was honored to be a part of the 40th anniversary celebration and stand with our coalition partners as well as leaders like Governor JB Pritzker, Mayor Brandon Johnson, and Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias.

Together, we'll continue the fight for immigrant and refugee rights.

10/06/2026

Medicaid cuts mean refugees with disabilities just lost an important lifeline to care.

RefugeeOne has been busy searching for other health care options for our clients but there's no replacement for this comprehensive government program.

As a RefugeeOne leader told Borderless Magazine, "We’re extremely concerned about the changes. These are resources that people depend on for their survival.”

Refugees With Disabilities Are About to Lose an Important Lifeline. Here’s What Illinois Advocates Are Doing to Help. – Environment and Health – Borderless Magazine NFP

10/01/2026

More than 800 RefugeeOne clients lost Medicaid today.

As our Wellness Program Director said on WTTW - Chicago PBS, health care is a basic human need.

🫶Find out more, including how you can help, at RefugeeOne.org/FAQs

👉Watch the entire WTTW segment to see how this will hurt families.

Changes to Medicaid eligibility take effect Thursday, impacting about 9,300 lawfully present immigrants in Illinois. Refugees, survivors of human trafficking and people who have been granted asylum are among those no longer covered.

09/30/2026

Congratulations to 48 new citizens who took their Oath of Allegiance during a beautiful ceremony at the Chicago Botanic Garden this week.

Two RefugeeOne clients were thrilled to become naturalized citizens in this country that welcomed them after they had to flee Afghanistan and Eritrea.

They waited a long time for this moment to wave the American flag and feel they truly belong.

As the judge who administered the oath said, "Welcome home!"

09/24/2026

We need your help to make our Winter Coat + Boot Drive a success!

Please donate NEW or GENTLY USED winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves to equip newcomers for Chicago's brutal winter.

You can order from our Amazon Winter Wish List, sending items straight to RefugeeOne: https://bit.ly/4xHG09c

Or DROP OFF DONATIONS at our office, 6008 N California Ave, at these times:
📅 Friday, October 23 | 12 – 4 p.m.
📅 Saturday, October 24 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

*Please note: General clothing and light jackets WILL NOT be accepted, only winter coats and winter coats and accessories.

09/21/2026

Abdul arrived in Chicago 5 years ago this month. He hasn’t seen his wife and kids since then, as they remain stranded in Afghanistan.

But he finds joy in his work helping other refugees at RefugeeOne.

“I sleep so well when I know I helped someone,” Abdul says. “I made their life easier.”

🫶In an immensely challenging time for refugees, every show of solidarity and support makes a real difference.

👉Will you make a gift today to provide hope to refugees?

🧡Give now at https://www.refugeeone.org/donate

09/15/2026

👀Take a look at this— partnership in action to make health care more accessible.

The team from Prevent Blindness Illinois / ISPB returned to RefugeeOne, providing 24 newcomers with free eye exams and prescription glasses.

Clients who’d been struggling with vision problems found relief as well as empathy from this team of doctors, support staff, and volunteers.

We love to see it! 👓

09/09/2026

Join RefugeeOne for an intimate, in-depth conversation about one refugee's journey to safety here in Chicago.

Abdulhaq, an Afghan interpreter for US forces, forged an unlikely friendship with an Army lieutenant, Spencer, who became his lifeline on a 13-year trek to escape the Taliban and find a new home.

The two co-authored the book, Not Our Problem, a war memoir and refugee story that crosses dangerous borders, explores how friendship can outlast a war, and helps us understand the global refugee crisis through one man's harrowing struggle for safety.

RefugeeOne proudly welcomed Abdulhaq and his wife to Chicago in December.

👉We invite you to meet Abdulhaq and Spencer at a book talk at the Sulzer Regional Library in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood Saturday, September 12 at 2:30.

🔗Please register here for the free event:
https://chipublib.bibliocommons.com/events/6a74b0618a144f82b2c6ea97

09/03/2026

Time to think about cold weather🥶because it’s the kickoff to our Winter Coat + Boot Drive!

Through October 24, RefugeeOne is collecting NEW or GENTLY USED winter coats, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves, to get hundreds of newcomers ready for winter.

You can order from our Amazon Winter Wish List, sending items straight to RefugeeOne: https://bit.ly/4xHG09c

Or DROP OFF DONATIONS at our office, 6008 N California Ave, at these times:
📅 Friday, October 23 | 12 – 4 p.m.
📅 Saturday, October 24 | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Please note: General clothing and light jackets WILL NOT be accepted, only winter coats and winter coats and accessories.

09/01/2026

This refugee hire deserves a marquee announcement!

Shahpoor, an Afghan refugee, spent this summer acting in a movie! 🎬

RefugeeOne welcomed Shahpoor and his daughter last year. He was an actor, director, and CEO of the Afghanistan National Theater before they fled the Taliban.

His acting break came a few months ago when Shahpoor was cast in a movie about an Afghan family being filmed in Canada.

Details of the film are hush-hush since it won't come out until 2027, but Shahpoor is thrilled to be back doing what he loves.🌟