Just Stories

Josh and his wife Lily immigrated as adults to the U.S.  Hear how their humble beginnings were used to create the foremost Chinese adoption agency in the world.  

Chinese Children Adoption International

Founder of the  Haïti College Fund, John Barba is dedicated to addressing the long-term needs of the Haïtian people to overcome the never-ending cycle of poverty and premature death by addressing one of the core issues giving rise to their impoverishment: lack of access to higher education. http://haiticollegefund.org

Pastor Gail grew up on a Wisconsin farm and learned what it meant to be grateful for the bounty that the earth gives, and to live amidst the community that surrounds us.   These childhood influences helped to shape her ministry, as she advocated for the cause of the hungry throughout her ministry calls.  For more information:  ELCA World Hunger.

Jiyoon shares about her work with the Chicagoland AAPI community, and challenges faced with discrimination and safety.  She also shares about how her story has driven her to see improved education on Asian American history in our schools.  For more information visit:

www.hanacenter.org

https://illinois.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/asian-americans-pbs/

Drawn to the natural world from youth, Pete is a biologist who organizes volunteers to care for local natural spaces.  He talks about the creation of Emily's Prairie, devoted to the memory of his daughter, as well as other stories of the Illinois prairies.

This friendship was borne through the University of Illinois Department of Rehab and Educational Services.  Listen to hear how shared faith and music deepened their ties and ultimately allowed them to impact one another, and their community. 

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.        Our God Can (6min mark)

Sandra shares her journey from pondering how to live a good life to helping others live a good life. Her sister, Darlene, inspired her through her life and death to move from working in journalism to non-profits. She was the director of the Milwaukee Breast Cancer Coalition and now is the director of ACAP, Adaptive Community Approach Program.