With Casten Support, World Relief DuPage/Aurora Awarded $997K to Help Local Refugee Resettlement Efforts
Glen Ellyn, IL. –U.S. Representative Sean Casten (IL-06) announced today that, with his support, World Relief DuPage/Aurora (WRDA) have been awarded grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)'s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). The $996,940 award will be evenly divided between the next four fiscal years, FY2020-FY2023 to help local refugees build their future in the United States by providing access to financial literacy programs for purchasing houses or cars, starting a business, or contributing to their educational pursuits.
In June, Casten wrote a letter of support for WRDA to receive this funding, helping WRDA become one of only ten agencies across the country to receive this funding this year.
Casten said, "Refugees come to this country to escape unimaginable persecution and poverty. However, when they arrive, they often have absolutely no means to build a new life in this country. This funding will give refugees in our area access to important financial literacy programs aimed at assisting them with their individual education, small business or homeownership goals. I'm proud to have been able to assist WRDA in obtaining this grant so that they can lift up our local refugees and give them the head start they need to live the American dream."
WRDA Regional Director, Susan Sperry said, "We're incredibly grateful to Representative Sean Casten for his support, not just for this grant, but for the refugees resettled in the greater Chicago area who are such an important part of our community. The financial literacy programming made possible through this funding is an invaluable tool to equip our newest neighbors to thrive and contribute financially. We're thrilled to be able to serve our community better through this grant and continue to partner with Rep. Casten and others in this work."
###