Community banquet in Woodlawn welcomes new arrivals [Video]

CHICAGO – Since the city’s ‘New Arrivals Mission’ began, Chicago has welcomed more than 41,000 migrants from the southern border.

To date, nearly 17,000 of those individuals have been resettled, according to the Office of Emergency Management & Communications (OEMC).

Still, the resettlement process can be a journey of its own as migrants acclimate to new neighborhoods, schools, and jobs.

On Saturday, First Presbyterian Church of Chicago, New Life Centers, and Chicago4All hosted a community banquet in Woodlawn, where neighbors – new and old – broke bread.

The event served to provide a safe and welcoming space for families who are settling in the area.

“A lot of the migrants live right here in the neighborhood, and we just really wanted to invite and welcome them and make them feel a part of the community,” said Sylvia Matthews, an elder at First Presbyterian Church of Chicago.

With translators on hand, the meal also gave existing community members …