Local doctors treat Syrian refugees in Jordan (Video)
By Ryan Connelly Holmes Chicago-area pediatricians Sofia Shakir and Jihad Shoshara have been married 20 years. In 2015 they did something for the first time as a couple: they each went on a medical mission trip to Jordan to treat Syrian refugees. Shoshara had gone on medical trips before, but Shakir had not. Shakir traveled […]
Pan-African Association teaches refugees English (Video)
By Ryan Connelly Holmes When a refugee arrives to the United States, English language training is an essential part of integration and future success. These classes are offered by a variety of refugee resettlement and social service agencies. Pan-African Association (PAA), located in Edgewater, is one of those organizations.
Syrian band raises $7,000 for refugee relief (VIDEO)
By Ryan Connelly Holmes Syrian band Hewar raised $7,000 for Save the Children at a concert on Saturday night. All proceeds will go to help Syrian refugee children. The ensemble of Kinan Azmeh on clarinet, Issam Rafea on oud, and Dima Orsho as lyrical soprano was accompanied by Omar al-Musfi on percussion. The concert, hosted by Tzedek Chicago […]
Syrian jazz fusion band to play at refugee relief concert in Chicago
By Ryan Connelly Holmes The Syrian band Hewar is scheduled to play at a concert in Chicago on Saturday to benefit Syrian refugee children. All proceeds will go to Save the Children, an aid organization that focuses on children across the globe. “They’re all just amazing musicians of extraordinary caliber, so just to have that […]
Activists & homeless join to march on Ald. Cappleman’s office (video)
By Ryan Connelly Holmes Protesters marched in Uptown Monday night to vent frustration at Ald. James Cappleman and the Chicago police who ticketed individuals sleeping near the Wilson Avenue viaduct. “These people who are sleeping out here, they want peace,” said Ryne Poelker, 24, who used to be homeless and now is involved as a […]
Grassroots coat drive brings warmth to those on streets (video)
By Ryan Connelly Holmes A few feet from the traffic passing under the Fullerton I-90/94 overpass sits a mattress. Beneath the covers of the mattress on the ledge, a man and a woman lay resting, their belongings close by. On the other side of four lanes of traffic, a few people congregate, their possessions filling […]
