Since 2017 Friendship House’s Good Neighbor Program has provided safe and secure transitional housing for refugees and families in crisis. Along with the four apartment units we utilize for this ministry, we offer household items, food, and English tutoring. Over the years we have been privileged to host families from places such as Cameroon, Nepal, Syria and Afghanistan.

Although federal refugee resettlement programs are currently halted, the needs of current Roanoke refugee families are still overwhelming. In addition to this, others in our neighborhoods face crises and needs that our housing capacity can assist with. We are thankful to the Lord for equipping Friendship House to minister in this crucial way.

Some of our related initiatives and collaborations with local churches include:

• English Club–Weekly ESL classes for our refugee and immigrant neighbors, English Club is one of the only ESL classes in the region that provides both transportation and childcare for its students. We offer co-ed classes, as well as classes just for women.
• Friendship Soccer Club–Seasonal clinics that are held throughout the year to allow both refugee and local children to come together to learn soccer and make new friends.
• Good Neighbor Teams–Small groups from local churches commit to walk alongside refugees to befriend and support them as they face the challenges of living here.