COMSA

07/31/2026

🎉 Congratulations to H. James Smet on being recognized as COMSA's Volunteer of the Week and Runner-Up in the Education Category at the 2026 Volunteer Awards, presented by the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation! 👏❤️
Thank you, H, for your incredible dedication to helping refugees and immigrants achieve their dream of becoming U.S. citizens. Your leadership, compassion, and commitment continue to change lives and strengthen our community.
We are proud to have you as part of the COMSA family. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor! 🇺🇸💙

❤ H James Smet is our volunteer of the week and the runner-up in the Education Category at the 2026 Volunteer Awards, presented by Wisconsin Public Service Foundation! ❤

For many in our community, the path to U.S. citizenship can feel complex and overwhelming. Through his leadership of a weekly Tuesday evening citizenship class at COMSA, H addresses this critical need by preparing aspiring citizens for the naturalization test. In his classes, students learn U.S. history, civics, government, and the interview skills they need to confidently pass the citizenship exam. Because the test format and questions change over time, H continually updates his curriculum, staying ahead of new requirements and policy shifts to ensure his students are fully prepared.

In order to further assist students in improving their language skills as they learn about their new country, H partnered with COMSA's ESL teacher to make the class format more conversational. He is motivated by the students' resilience and determination, takes pride in watching their growth, and shares their joy when they pass the naturalization test and are sworn in as United States citizens.

Beyond the classroom, H has served on COMSA's board of directors and is a trusted source of critical immigration updates for their staff. He is also an active volunteer with Casa Alba Melanie and the Migration Advocacy Group. His commitment helps individuals successfully navigate the naturalization process, opening doors to greater economic opportunity, civic participation, and long-term stability for themselves and their families. Thank you, H, for all your efforts!

07/03/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸

Today we celebrate freedom, hope, and the strength of our communities.

COMSA is closed today in observance of Independence Day. We wish everyone a safe, joyful, and meaningful Fourth of July!

06/21/2026

🌍 Today is World Refugee Day.

At COMSA, this day holds special meaning.

Our team includes former refugees, immigrants, and community members from diverse backgrounds who understand both the challenges and the possibilities of starting over in a new place. Together, we celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees around the world.

Today, we pause to recognize the millions of people who have been forced to flee their homes because of war, persecution, violence, political instability, climate-related disasters, and other crises beyond their control. Behind every number is a person, a family, and a story.

We also remember those who remain in refugee camps and displacement settings across the world—many waiting for safety, stability, and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. Their courage and perseverance inspire us every day.

World Refugee Day is also a time for gratitude. We are thankful to the communities, volunteers, teachers, employers, healthcare providers, faith groups, neighbors, and organizations who have welcomed newcomers with compassion and dignity. Your support does more than meet immediate needs—it creates opportunities for families to rebuild, belong, contribute, and thrive.

At COMSA, we witness refugees becoming homeowners, business owners, students, healthcare workers, community leaders, and engaged neighbors. These stories remind us that when people are given an opportunity, they enrich the communities they call home.

Today, we honor refugees everywhere. We celebrate their resilience, recognize their humanity, and reaffirm our commitment to building communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong and succeed.

From all of us at COMSA, thank you for standing with refugees—not just today, but every day.

06/20/2026

💙 World Refugee Day

Every person deserves the opportunity to live in safety, build a future, and contribute to their community.

Today, we recognize the courage, resilience, and determination of refugees who have made Northeast Wisconsin their home.

At COMSA, we help refugee and immigrant families navigate new beginnings through workforce development, ESL and citizenship classes, case management, and family support services.

Many families arrive with little more than hope for a brighter future. With the support of our community, they are able to find stability, pursue education, secure meaningful employment, and build thriving lives for themselves and their children.

This World Refugee Day, we celebrate the strength of refugee families and the positive impact they make in our communities every day.

By donating today, you ensure that families seeking safety have the resources to heal and rebuild. Support new beginnings: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/open-arms-open-hearts-unite-to-welcome-refugees-and-immigrants

A Resource Center Serving Immigrants and Refugees Learn More Call to Schedule an Appointment: (920) 770-4070

06/19/2026

Tomorrow, we join communities around the world in recognizing World Refugee Day and celebrating the resilience, courage, and contributions of refugees.

Every refugee journey is unique, but each story reflects the determination to build a brighter future. Today, we're sharing one story from our community.

After arriving in the United States from Ukraine with her two daughters, one mother was working hard to build a stable future when an unexpected employment setback created uncertainty for her family.

With support from COMSA, she found a new path forward. After completing caregiver training and certification support, she secured meaningful employment doing work she loves. Today, she is caring for older adults, continuing her ESL studies, and pursuing her citizenship goals while creating a brighter future for her daughters.

Her story reminds us that when refugees are welcomed and supported, they strengthen our communities in countless ways.

💙 This World Refugee Day, we celebrate the strength and resilience of refugee families and the new beginnings they are building every day.

To help create more stories like this, visit our website and support COMSA's work with refugee and immigrant families: www.comsausa.org

06/17/2026

💙 Together, We Built a Stronger Community in 2025

Because of the generosity of our donors, volunteers, community partners, and advocates, refugee and immigrant families across Northeast Wisconsin found support, opportunity, and connection last year.

Together, we provided:

✨ 1,982 case management visits
✨ 2,500+ hours of youth programming
✨ 500+ hours of English language instruction
✨ Empowerment programs helping women build confidence, skills, and brighter futures

Behind every number is a person, a family, or a child whose life was strengthened because a caring community chose to help.

And the need continues.

Already in 2026, COMSA has provided more than 800 service interactions, helping families navigate language barriers, secure employment, access healthcare, find housing, and access essential resources as they build stable, successful lives in our community.

Every interaction represents a step forward. A parent finding a job. A child succeeding in school. A family accessing healthcare. A newcomer feeling welcomed and supported in their community.

Over the coming months, we'll share more stories that highlight the people, families, and journeys behind these numbers and the impact your support makes possible.

To everyone who has supported COMSA through donations, volunteerism, partnerships, advocacy, and encouragement, thank you. Your generosity is helping build a stronger, more welcoming community for all.

📖 Read our 2025 Impact Report: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GvVhMaDFPLP4axdkJl3xVxOscLCV8Y36/view

06/13/2026

Dear Friends of COMSA,

June is Refugee Month. More people are uprooted today than at any other time in history. At COMSA, we see the strength and hope of our new neighbors every day. This month, please take a moment to welcome someone new, support a newcomer family, or share a kind word. Together, we can make our community one of belonging for all.

06/11/2026

We are so proud to celebrate Mohamed Farah, who has been a Case Manager at COMSA for nearly 10 years, and countless lives have been changed along the way.

Mohamed has helped families reunite after years of separation through immigration legal services, secured housing for countless newly arrived refugees, and connected 58+ individuals to employment in the last month alone.

His work is a living example of what it means to move people from uncertainty to opportunity.

Thank you, Mohamed, for your unwavering dedication to our community. 💚

05/18/2026

At COMSA, we're always busy as our team works to improve the lives of refugees and immigrants. Watch the attached video to see our Spring 2026 activities. Thank you for your continued support of our mission.