Who We Sponsor : Refugee Success Stories
HEAL: A New Beginning for Refugees is a registered 501(c)3. We are honored to share these refugee success stories of families fleeing oppression and violence who have come to America through US State Department sponsored programs. All refugees are vetted and approved by the US government, and then we sponsor them to come to Wisconsin and support them in securing housing, learning English, finding employment and transitioning to life in America.
Here are a few of the many stories of refugee families we have sponsored, and whose courage and kindness have changed our lives.
The B Family from Ukraine
The B family represents one of our most resilient refugee success stories. The B family spent weeks living in their basement in Mariupol, Ukraine in the winter of 2021 with no electricity, no heat, no running water, and inadequate food while bombs fell on their city. They finally fled as Mariupol was overtaken by the Russian army.
The B family arrived in the United States in July 2021. Mr B is working at a local manufacturing company and Mrs. B has been working for a local construction company. Their children are both enrolled in school and learning English. They are grateful every day that their children are able to live free from the fear of falling bombs or Russian oppression.
The Kindest Venezuelans
Mr F was fired from his job because he voted against Maduro’s regime in Venezuela. Their family was threatened with imprisonment and to have their apartment seized by the government because of their vote. They lost their identity cards that gave them access to basic necessities, and they could not make enough money to buy food for their children. That began years of difficulty as they tried to survive while fleeing from country to country.
Their journey is one of many refugee success stories where hard work leads to a new lifeThe F family arrived in Milwaukee in April of 2024. Mr and Mrs F are now both working full time at a local manufacturing company, taking English classes, and saving up to buy a house (a lifelong dream.)
The A Family from Iraq
Mr A worked for the Americans during the war in Iraq and was in danger afterwards from the militia. He and his family arrived in Wisconsin in March of 2025. They are now living near the Iraqi community in Milwaukee. Mr A is working full time at a local manufacturing company and his English is improving every day. Mrs. A takes her younger two boys and works at a local daycare.
When we moved them to Milwaukee, Mrs. A said, ““I was hoping the move to the new house would be delayed because I love you all very much, and I do not want to be separated from you. I feel like you are my family.”
The difference of sponsorship is community. These refugee success stories happen because newcomers arrive feeling like they have family in America instead of feeling like outsiders.