Kewanee Welcomes

02/27/2026

Hi Friends of Kewanee Welcomes! We wanted to share with you a recent update received from Welcome.US. Please read this article and if you feel moved, please show support to our local Ukrainian families AND Ukrainian families all over the nation facing this situation by clicking on the link at the end of the article! It takes ONE MINUTE to fill out the form. Thank you for your time!

"Today marks four years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a painful milestone.

It's a moment to honor the bravery and resilience of Ukrainians worldwide and the extraordinary Americans who stepped up to welcome families fleeing war.

Through legal sponsorship pathways, and the support of Americans across the country, Ukrainian newcomers found safety here. But today, that safety is in jeopardy. Severe processing delays now threaten their ability to remain lawfully in the United States.

You can make a difference by voicing the need for faster processing of re-parole applications to your elected representative, ensuring Ukrainians remain safe.

Many are facing a new wave of uncertainty. Once again, families are trapped in delays. Once again, their futures are uncertain. And this time, many risk detention, not because they did anything wrong, but because of administrative backlogs.

Ukrainian newcomers are contributing to communities across the country: working in small businesses, strengthening local institutions, paying taxes, and building new lives. Welcoming them has strengthened America, too.

Four years after the invasion, the need for safety endures and so does the generosity of the American people. Americans want this nation to be defined not by fear, but by welcome. Our policies should reflect that truth.

Thank you for standing with Ukrainians, then and now.

With gratitude,
The Welcome.US Team"

https://www.votervoice.net/WelcomeUS/Campaigns/134098/Respond?vvsn=BcN4IBmXBCSvgAIWuMh7FAA

Private sponsorship programs are safe, legal, and orderly pathways for people seeking safety, and are offered by our federal government. Our elected officials in Congress are responsible for helping constituents like you who might have a question or...

01/27/2026

Hello Friends! One thing we have personally loved about Kewanee Welcomes is that we have volunteers from all over the political spectrum and we work toward a common goal! In that spirit, we want to share an update from a support organization called Welcome.US:

"This month marks one year since a wave of federal policy changes reshaped how newcomers are welcomed—and, in many cases, whether they are welcomed at all. Over the past year, the systems meant to help people build stable, secure lives in this country have weakened. For many families who have rebuilt their lives here, their futures feel uncertain at best.

Recent news, including what’s happening in urban centers like Minneapolis, adds to that uncertainty, leaving many with questions. To help provide clarity, we want to share with you what your fellow Welcomers and the people they’ve welcomed are experiencing. Many newcomers who arrived through legal pathways and followed all the rules are being apprehended and detained. Within 24–48 hours, they’re put on flights to detention facilities in Texas. The only recourse their Welcomer friends have is to file legal paperwork for their release.

Because of these increased detainments, many newcomers no longer feel safe going to work or school as they fear the arrival of law enforcement at their front doors. This is a credible fear that they’ve never faced before in our country."

"It may surprise you to know that you are part of a community of over 2.8 million Welcomers. You represent every corner of the country—red, blue, purple, rural, urban. At a time when our country feels deeply politically divided, especially around welcoming newcomers, it feels important to share that Welcomers are conservatives, moderates, progressives, and people who don’t fit neatly into any political box, but who believe in showing up for their neighbors. And your will to welcome endures. Welcomers like you continue to show up—even as the work gets harder—because you have first-hand knowledge of how these changes are impacting the people you welcomed.

It gives me great hope that when given a choice between human beings in need and our politics, this community chooses welcoming over fear and community over division.

With gratitude,
Nazanin Ash, CEO,
and the Welcome.US Team"

06/24/2025

If you would like to try out some new Iraqi food and support a woman as she’s trying out a new business idea, please check her out! Her baklava is absolutely delicious! 😍

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Fd7U7yrjj/?mibextid=wwXIfr

05/10/2025

Hello! If anyone is in need of extra help this spring in the yard or doing odd jobs or detailing a vehicle, please let private message us! We have a friend that could use the extra income right now.

He is available Mon-Fri from 6P-9P and Saturday-Sunday from 1P to 9P. Thanks!!

Send a message to learn more

03/06/2025

🌻Good morning! Kamil has made more jewelry for spring and St. Patrick's Day! 🍀 Private message us if you see something you like- prices range from $8 to $15. Free delivery for local friends, small shipping fee for distant friends.

She has MUCH more inventory for sale at Blissful Branch Boutique in Kewanee & Sheffield! Thanks for your support! 🌸

03/05/2025

There is a lot of tension and emotion around the conversation of immigration in the U.S. right now. Our hearts go out to all those in need of a safe, secure, and peaceful home - regardless of what country they might be from. The new administration has canceled and/or suspended programs that included organized & rigorous pathways for legal immigrants to relocate here in order to escape war, persecution or violence in their home countries.

One of those pathways is called humanitarian parole - the Ukrainian families we have welcomed are included in this group. Kewanee Welcomes has served as a private sponsor group and has had beautiful experiences as we have met new friends from other countries and helped them resettle into Midwestern life. We have learned from these families as well and are grateful to know them. We believe they have added much value to our community. Now, their visa status is unsure and we are requesting you reach out to our State Representatives on their behalf, showing your support for private sponsorship.

Through private sponsorship, Americans rely on their own resources to provide for newcomers forced to flee their home with safety and essentials to get settled. Will you respond to the recent policy changes pausing these safe and legal pathways to voice your support for sponsorship programs?

Please check out this easy-to-use form that provides information for contacting your congressional representatives and sample messages you can customize to send them. Thank you for taking 5 minutes of your time to show support to these families in need.

Click here to support private sponsorship: https://engage.welcome.us/a/sponsorship-programs-message

12/17/2024

Showcasing her country of birth and sharing some goodies at school with her friends and teachers!! 🇺🇦

10/01/2024

✨Kamil's Jewelry for sale! ✨

Maybe time to think about early Christmas 🎄 or Holiday 🌟 gifts?!

TO ORDER:
~Please email us at [email protected] OR private message us here with the item number(s) you want.
~Free local delivery.
~For our not-so-local friends, please factor in a couple extra bucks for shipping.
~Cash or check (made out to 'Haibat Khan') accepted.
~THANK YOU for supporting this family! Every order helps..... 🥰

PRICING:
~ Items 1-24 are $8
~ Items 25-48 are $10
~ Items 49- 61 are $15
~ Items 62- 91 are $10 and measurements provided for the bracelets.

Thanks for not judging our stellar display....we are doing our best here! 😂

09/09/2024

Teamwork makes the dream work! 🙌🏾🙌🏻🙌🏿🙌🏼

We are so grateful for the help we had this weekend from volunteers (handy men/women, cleaning and moving crew). Thank you!

💫 A special shout out to the KHS Key Club volunteers and Mrs. Miler for organizing us! 💫

There are a few faces that are not pictured, but were extremely helpful, you know who you are! 😉

09/05/2024

As we prep for another family, let the work begin! If you are interested in helping our team do some handy work or clean pm us!!!

08/29/2024

☀️We could use a patio set if anyone has one to donate! ☀️