Bridging the hearts and minds of all people.

 

For All of Us

Building Peaceful Bridges is a nonprofit organization supporting people of all faiths whose mission is to foster multicultural relationships by assisting in the integration of newcomers into American society and educating communities on the challenges facing newcomer populations through their stories.

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Latest from BPB

BPB All-Faiths Iftar Dinner

On April 15th, BPB hosted an amazing evening of friendship, conversation and breaking bread together. A testament to the power of unity and harmony. We came together to share our traditions and learn from one another. We are so grateful to Pastor Gilmore and all of the staff at Winnetka Presbyterian Church who graciously provided the beautiful space for us to host an Iftar Dinner.  Seeing all of the families together, laughing, eating and meeting new friends was especially gratifying. The children’s smiles were so heartfelt. According to a few of the children, it was “one of the best nights of my life.”

Thank you to The Nair Family for sponsoring the dinner. Their support of BPB’s vision of “bridging the hearts and minds of all people” has benefited our newcomers.

Wonderful to have all Abrahamic faiths present – thank you to Iman Irfan, Rabbi Bruce and Bob Turner from Hakafa Synagogue and Father Lara from St. Catherine Laboure Church.

Hamid and family created a delicious Afghan meal which all raved about – Thank you!

As Iman Irfan said:  “Let us embrace the values of love, tolerance and understanding that are at the heart of all faiths and cultures.”

Latest from Instagram

We are honored to be one of the 39 organizations awarded a Welcome Fund grant by @Welcome.US! With their support, we can continue our vital work in helping Afghan newcomers rebuild their lives in the United States – with the help of our volunteer Welcomers!

Together, we can make a difference and ensure our new Afghan neighbors have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in their new communities.

Learn more about Welcome.US and the Welcome Fund's impact by visiting welcome.us/welcomefund
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Volunteer

Build a Bridge through…

Mentoring and Sponsorship

Support a refugee family by meeting together monthly or bi-monthly, introducing them to life in America, engaging in conversations that improve their English, or assisting their study toward citizenship.

Bringing People Together

Form new and lasting friendships. Gather for monthly luncheons. Meet neighbors and refugees from around the world. Hear speakers address issues relevant to today’s refugees.

Giving Families a Head Start

Together with a refugee family create a new living space: donate clothing and furniture, assist with rent, groceries, and basic necessities, prepare a welcome box, or share cultural values and meals.

Cultural Educational Events

Join us for an event and hear the story of a refugee. Learn what it is like to navigate a new home in a foreign country through refugees’ stories. Listen, first hand, to a journalist’s experience in a refugee camp.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Stories

Ahlam Al-Jebory Mahmood fled her home in Iraq after being kidnapped for her work running a humanitarian center near Baghdad during the war in Iraq. In 2008, she was a refugee in Syria working as a “fixer”–providing Western media with trustworthy information and contacts to help get the news out. She not only supported her husband and two children through her work with foreign journalists but set up a makeshift school for displaced girls. She was working as an unofficial leader of the refugee community in Damascus until she was arrested and imprisoned for her work. The story of her incredible journey from Baghdad to Damascus to Chicago is told in the multi-award-winning book A Disappearance in Damascus by Deborah Campbell, now optioned for screen by Terry George, director of Hotel Rwanda. LEARN MORE.

You Can Write a New Chapter

You can write a new chapter in the lives of refugees by participating in one of our programs such as mentoring or sponsoring a refugee family, participating in a cultural or educational event, helping with delivery of non-cash donations, or suggesting a new program! LEARN MORE.

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Changing Lives with Your Help

In 2011, Ahlam (al-Jabory) Mahmood received the Woman of the Year Award from Karen Singer, President/CEO of the YWCA of Evanston. Ahlam was honored for her refugee resettlement work and co-founding the Iraqi Mutual Aid Society. Ahlam is always giving back to those in need. How about joining her and Building Peaceful Bridges in making a difference in a refugee’s life and sharing refugee stories with other Americans?
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world: indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead

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1400 Patriot Blvd | P.O. Box 535 | Glenview, IL 60026 | (847) 773-7484

Building Peaceful Bridges is a 501(c)(3) organization. EIN: 83-2282738.

Your donation is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Up to 91% of funding goes directly to help refugee families.

Form 1023 including all attachments and Form 990 are made available to the public upon request.

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