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Olesia and Kira’s Story: Our Whole Life Packed Up
Olesia came to the United States with nothing but a small bag and her six-year-old daughter, Kira, in tow.
Experience the Story
Stories
Follow their journeys
Sharing the stories of immigrants and former refugees in their own words.
Every person has a story. We invite you to learn from the resilient people who have shared theirs with us.
Emillie’s Story: Crossing the River
Emillie was only 8 years old when she and her family were forced to flee the Democratic Republic of Congo. They spent 15 years living in Uganda as refugees—but they knew it was not their home.
Yemelianova Family’s Story: Everything Will be Peaceful
When the Yemelianova family's journey to the United States was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had no idea they would find themselves fleeing a country at war only two years later.
Helal’s Story: My Crime is Being a Woman
Helal Massomi was forced to flee her country and seek safety in the United States.
Pedro’s Story: An Artist’s Journey to America
Pedro* fled to the United States to escape persecution for speaking out against his home country's government. The former physics and economics professor now makes a living selling his art on the street.
Norma’s Story: Hope for Her Son
Through the New American Cities program, Norma found a career that aligned with her passions and interests—and allowed her the flexibility she needed to care for her son.
Ana Rosa and Her Family: Seeking Hope
After being forced to flee Venezuela, Ana Rosa and her children, all born deaf, embarked on a long, dangerous journey through Central America to seek refuge in the United States.
Bhuwan’s Story: Hope Was There
Bhuwan Pyakurel lived in a refugee camp with his family for 18 years before being resettled by LIRS. He was elected to the city council of Reynoldsburg, Ohio in 2020.
Roman and Sofia’s Story: Refuge from Ukraine
One year after the war in Ukraine began, LIRS staff traveled to Philadelphia to meet some of the Ukrainians who have been served by our partner office, Bethany Christian Services.
Juanita’s Story: Fostering Love
Juanita was only 11 when she arrived in the United States from Guatemala. She spent several years transitioning between temporary homes before being placed with her foster family in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Julienne’s Story: A Future for her Family
As a former refugee from Rwanda with four children and a fifth on the way, Julienne wanted a better way to support her growing family.
Emillie’s Story: Crossing the River
Emillie was only 8 years old when she and her family were forced to flee the Democratic Republic of Congo. They spent 15 years living in Uganda as refugees—but they knew it was not their home.
Yemelianova Family’s Story: Everything Will be Peaceful
When the Yemelianova family's journey to the United States was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they had no idea they would find themselves fleeing a country at war only two years later.
Helal’s Story: My Crime is Being a Woman
Helal Massomi was forced to flee her country and seek safety in the United States.
Nassir’s Story: Bringing Afghanistan Home
Nassir Ahmad, Philanthropic Advisor, came to the United States in 2014 through the Special Immigrant Visa program after serving as a combat interpreter for the U.S. military in Afghanistan.
Oleh’s Story: Son of Our Hearts
The Forgione family first met Oleh in 2016 as part of an international exchange program before welcoming him into their home after the war in Ukraine broke out.