Church World Service

Church World Service. It is a cooperative ministry of 37 Christian denominations and communions in the United States, working worldwide to eradicate hunger, poverty, and promote peace and justice. Founded in the aftermath of World War II, it provides sustainable development, disaster relief, and refugee assistance in over 30 countries. The organization is renowned for its CROP Hunger Walks, its leadership in refugee resettlement in the U.S., and its advocacy on issues of immigration policy.

History

The organization was established in 1946 to coordinate the reconstruction efforts of American churches in post-war Europe and Asia, distributing surplus food and material aid. A key early program was the Blankets+ initiative, originally sending Relief supplies like blankets and CARE Packages. During the 1950s, its work expanded to include community development projects in Latin America and Africa. The first CROP Hunger Walk was held in Bismarck, North Dakota in 1969, becoming a national fundraising and awareness phenomenon. Significant moments include its response to the Vietnam War refugee crisis, the Ethiopian famine in the 1980s, and the Rwandan genocide in 1994. In 2011, it merged with Immigration and Refugee Program to strengthen its domestic resettlement work, headquartered in Elkhart, Indiana.

Programs and services

Core programs are organized into three main areas: Sustainable development, Emergency response, and Immigration and refugee services. Internationally, development work focuses on Food security, Clean water access, Climate resilience, and supporting Smallholder farmers through initiatives like the TOGETHER program. Disaster response teams deploy after events such as the 2010 Haiti earthquake and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Domestically, it is one of nine national agencies contracted by the U.S. Department of State for refugee resettlement, operating through a network of local offices and partners like Episcopal Migration Ministries. The CWS Immigration and Refugee Program provides legal services, while advocacy efforts target policies like the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Organizational structure

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors representing its member communions, which include American Baptist Churches USA, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Presbyterian Church (USA). National headquarters in Elkhart, Indiana houses administrative and program leadership under President and CEO Rick Santos. Field operations are managed through regional offices across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. In the United States, a network of affiliate offices and local Congregations implements resettlement and community sponsorship programs, often in partnership with Jewish and other interfaith groups. Key internal units include CWS Global, CWS Immigration and Refugee Program, and CWS Special Programs.

Funding and partnerships

Primary funding sources include private donations from individuals and member churches, grants from institutions like the U.S. Agency for International Development and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and revenue from programs such as the CROP Hunger Walks. It is a member of several major humanitarian coalitions, including ACT Alliance, InterAction, and the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. Corporate partnerships have involved companies like The North Face and Ben & Jerry's. The organization also collaborates closely with global entities such as the World Food Programme and local partners like Caritas Internationalis and Norwegian Church Aid to implement projects and leverage resources.

Impact and recognition

The organization has impacted millions, reporting assistance to over 7 million people globally in recent years through development and emergency programs. It has resettled over 800,000 refugees in the United States since its founding. Recognitions include high ratings from Charity Navigator and GuideStar, and the 1997 Peace Award from the National Peace Corps Association. It has been cited for its effective response to crises including the Syrian refugee crisis and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico. Its advocacy contributed to the creation of the Lautenberg Amendment and continues to influence debates on U.S. refugee admissions and asylum law.

Category:Humanitarian aid organizations Category:Christian organizations established in 1946 Category:Refugee resettlement organizations in the United States