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 Exodus Services
Exodus' programs are focused on building bridges between the Christian community and refugees. Many lasting relationships have been formed between volunteers participating in Exodus programs and refugees arriving in the Chicago area.
Welcome To America! Pack
Many of Exodus's programs have been developed to fill a gap in providing services to refugees who have been invited to start over in the United States. The first program developed was the Welcome to America! Pack. Refugees who arrive in the US can apply for help from the government, but this help will take 30 days to begin. The Welcome to America Pack provides needed essentials to fill a bare apartment and welcome an arriving refuge family to their new life.
New Neighbor Program
After refugee families have arrived, they must begin the difficult process of learning a new way of life. Refugees can often find material needs, but one of the most difficult losses to fill are friends. The New Neighbor Program offers volunteers the opportunity to work one on one with refugees. New neighbor volunteers help with learning American customs, basic English and most importantly, a friend to talk with and who will listen. Exodus provides support to the volunteer through training and ongoing communication.
New Neighbor Citizenship Program
Having settled into their new lives, refugees face their next major step after five years in the US - applying for citizenship. New Neighbor Citizenship volunteers work with refugees who are studying for the exams. Volunteers combine personal experience with Exodus training to help refugees with written and oral English and American history.
Exodus Advocacy Network
It will take time for refugees for refugees to master a new language and customs; moreover, it will be years before refugees gain citizenship and the voting rights that accompany this important status. Through the Exodus Advocacy Network , volunteers use their status as established members of society to help reduce the challenges refugees face as they begin their new lives in America.
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