refugees

Refugees coming to Kansas City often need to learn how to drive in order to get a job or go to school. One Congolese man is stepping up to teach his fellow compatriots. Plus: Despite the fact that child care can cost more than a mortgage in Kansas, providers say they can barely afford to stay open.

Refugees often struggle to get to jobs, school or the store without adequate transportation. But getting a driver’s license in Kansas City is hard enough without the added barriers of a new language and culture. That's where Justin Bilombele comes in.

Kansas City is home to a growing community of refugees from Afghanistan, including an ethnic minority known as the Hazara who are finding a place here and spreading awareness of what they call a genocide back home.

Qasim Rahimi came to Kansas City in June 2021 after the U.S. military withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took over. Rahimi is a member of the Hazara, an ethnic minority group that has faced decades of violent persecution at the hands of the Taliban, and now he’s working to warn the world about the genocide being carried out against his people.

When Russia launched its full-scale invasion on Ukraine last February, the Ukrainian Club of Kansas City knew it had to act. The community group came together to create Stand With Ukraine KC, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing aid for Ukrainians both here and abroad.

The Yeremenko family had no clue who the Kansas City Chiefs were seven months ago. They were focused on evading Russian bombs. With the help an Olathe family, they went from escaping death in their homeland to celebrating the Chiefs' Super Bowl title in Arizona.

Kansas City-area members of Afghanistan's Hazara ethnic minority — some new arrivals since the U.S. evacuation in 2021 — are creating a community and celebrating traditions here while trying to call attention to the risk of genocide back in Afghanistan.

In 2022, hundreds of refugees made their way to Kansas City with hopes of finding help. This year also saw tenants in housing court receive much-needed assistance with their legal representation. We'll take a look at the biggest housing stories of 2022.

In the coming months, the International Institute of St. Louis plans to welcome Afghan refugees from Albania, where they have been for months. Institute officials say they will be more prepared for the latest arrivals.

The International Institute of St. Louis is ready to welcome more Afghan families and refugees from other countries. Officials with the U.S. State and Health and Human Services departments and the International Nonprofit Immigrant Organization met with International Institute officials Monday.

Aug. 15 marked the one-year anniversary of Zamzama Safi’s escape from Afghanistan. The former translator for U.S. forces reflects on living in Missouri for nearly a year — and her hopes for the future.

A year after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, 760 refugees have made Kansas City their new home. But even after finding jobs and housing, these new residents remain separated from their family and uncertain about their future — including if they'll be allowed to stay.