Company Profile
Building Peaceful Bridges
Company Overview
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.
BPB focuses on 4 major areas of work:
Mentoring/Sponsorship: BPB builds relationships with refugees, helping them for up to five years to become financially secure, productive members of the community with a sense of belonging. We build a wrap-around family mentoring program, whether it is providing financial or non-cash assistance, navigating government services, obtaining medical care, delivering academic tutoring and being a friend to talk to and laugh with about family and life.
Educational Events and Publications: BPB hosts “learning luncheons”, uses educational videos, quarterly reports, newsletters, our website and social media to engage community members.
Bridge to Belongings: BPB collects, stores, and provides food, clothing, furniture and household items to refugee families.
Advocacy: BPB advocates for improved refugee resettlement programs and works in coalition with other organizations to accomplish this goal (Refugee Action Network (RAN), Church World Services, Refugee Council USA, International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) and the United Nations Association of Chicago).
For more, see https://www.buildingpeacefulbridges.org
See annual report here: https://www.buildingpeacefulbridges.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2023_Impact_Report.pdf
Company History
In 2014, two compassionate women from different parts of the world came together to inspire positive actions and peaceful resolutions to resettlement issues within our communities . Ahlam Mahmood arrived in 2008 with her two young children to the United States as a refugee from war-torn Iraq by way of Syria. Ahlam was blessed with many generous and compassionate people as she and her family resettled in Chicago. One of those people was Lori Lucchetti, a Glenview resident. Lori and Ahlam began hosting groups of interfaith women. They would invite neighbors and friends. Ahlam would bring other refugee women who were resettling in the Chicago area. Seeds of mutual respect, compassion, and love grew out of these luncheons and ultimately blossomed into Building Peaceful Bridges. BPB established non-profit status in 2018. In the last six years, BPB has witnessed significant growth and impact in several key areas: newcomer stability, strengthened partnerships, increased awareness and sustainable growth. In order to deliver on BPB’s mission, we established four programs. Mentoring and Sponsoring, Educational Program, Bridge to Belongings (In-Kind donations), and Advocacy.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
Served more than 1500 newcomer families. Educated public on issues affecting newcomers. More than 10,000 volunteer hours logged. Participated in national, state and local advocacy campaigns.
Benefits
BPB offers a competitive compensation plan commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the individual selected. Our vacation, holiday, and leave of absence policies prioritize work-life balance for BPB staff.