Our vision is to have a world where everyone has food, a voice, and a safe place to call home.
Church World Service is a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement, and disaster.
CWS first opened an office in Miami, Florida in 1960 in response to the immediate needs of refugees fleeing Cuba during the aftermath of the revolution.
By the 1980s, when the Refugee Act was passed, CWS had already resettled 350,000 refugees across the US.
CWS Florida has grown and expanded its programs into Broward and Palm Beach County, providing continued resettlement and legal support to subsequent waves of refugees from Cuba, Colombia, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Burma, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, as well as Cubans and Haitians Entrants and other immigrant groups.
As we reflect on the past year, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible dedication, resilience, and collaboration that have defined our journey. Together, we’ve navigated challenges, celebrated milestones, and continued to advance our mission with purpose and heart.
This year, we deepened our impact through key initiatives—strengthening community partnerships, expanding our advocacy efforts, and launching new programs that directly support vulnerable populations. From responding to urgent needs with compassion, to building long-term solutions rooted in justice and equity, your support has made all the difference.
One of our proudest success stories is the launch of our first mental health initiative at the Miami office—made possible through the generous support of the Hispanic Federation and the Dr. John T. Macdonald Foundation, along with key partnerships with Catholic Charities of Miami and TAL. This long-held dream of CWS Florida has finally become a reality and marks the beginning of a dedicated mental health unit, which is so urgently needed in our community.
This report highlights not just our achievements, but the collective spirit that drives our work forward. Thank you for being part of this community and for your continued support.
Here’s to another year of impact and growth—together.
Warm regards,
Carlos Naranjo
Director, Florida
