(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A humanitarian organization that helps refugees in Chicago is asking for donations and volunteers after it was given a stop-work order last week.
As part of the order, the federal government cut all funding to the World Relief Chicagoland's Reception and Placement Program.
"Normally we would receive a per capita amount to help pay their housing throughout the first 90 days, provide for other basic living expenses, while we help them find a job so that they can be self-sufficient," director of immigrant family services, Peter Zimmerman said.
He said that without funding, the roughly 180 refugees who are still within the 90 days of the program are left in "significant limbo."
“It means, you know, reevaluating everything, frankly, what, what is essential, what is needed? How can we best utilize the resources we have remaining to serve, frankly, families that are depending on us."
He said the organization is scrambling to come up with solutions.
"Reductions in monetary resources mean having to make reductions and making hard decisions based on that information. We're kind of reevaluating how to restructure so that we can continue to serve families," he said.
“We're committed to finding a way to help them. We're not going to abandon them."
In the meantime, the organization is asking for donations, advocacy and volunteers.
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