Real Stories, Real Impact

Beyond the numbers, it’s the personal stories that show why organizations like COMSA matter to the Green Bay community. Through shared effort and community support, newly arrived immigrants and refugees receive the resources, guidance, and care they need as they begin their lives here. These stories reflect what’s possible when people come together to welcome and support one another.

From overwhelm to steady

When this mother of two came to COMSA, she felt overwhelmed and didn’t know where to turn. A significant language barrier and no access to childcare had caused her to lose her job. She was worried about how she would care for her children and pay her bills. 

When she arrived at our our office, she was upset and scared about what would happen next.  

We started by listening. Step by step, COMSA staff worked beside her to understand what she needed most. We helped her apply for government benefits and searched for childcare that felt safe and welcoming for her family. Soon, her children were placed in a reliable daycare.

That support changed everything. 

With childcare in place and help getting back on her feet, her hope returned. She began to feel stronger and more confident. Today, she is looking for work and building a steady future for her children. 

Protecting a family’s Home

A family of ten arrived in the United States just one year ago, adjusting to a new country, culture, and way of life. The father worked hard to support his family and took pride in paying his bills on time. Like many newly arrived families, they were still learning how housing and utility systems work in the U.S.

Then, without warning, the family received a water bill for more than $900, along with additional fees. They were shocked. They didn’t know that water wasn’t included in their rent and believed it was part of their monthly payments. 

The situation quickly became frightening. The utility company passed the charges to the landlord, who issued the family a 5-day notice threatening eviction if the full amount was not paid. With no extra income to cover the cost, the family felt terrified and unsure of what to do. 

That’s when the father came to COMSA for help. 

COMSA staff stepped in immediately. With support from community partners, we paid the water bill directly, restoring the family’s access to clean water and preventing eviction. However, the landlord continued demanding that the family repay the $900+, even though the bill had already been resolved. This demand was not only unfair, it was illegal. 

To protect the family from being taken advantage of, COMSA referred them to the Ecumencial Housing Partnership (EHP). Together, we ensured the family did not pay twice. EHP covered the remaining charges, and the landlord ultimately confirmed the amount would be credited toward future rent. 

Because of this support, the family was able to remain safely housed, avoid eviction, and move forward without fear. 

The family is stably housed and focused on rebuilding their lives together.

Now I feel ready

A young Afghan couple arrived in the United States with two small children and a baby on the way. They carried hope, but very little else. For the expectant mother, fear quickly took over. Everything was unfamiliar. There was no family nearby, no support system, and no way to prepare for the baby as she would have back home. 

Back home, her family would have prepared for the baby together, but here she felt alone and unsure how she would welcome her child. 

When COMSA learned about her situation, we reached out to our community. A compassionate volunteer immediately stepped forward. Within days, she arrived with baby clothes, diapers, a crib, a chair, and all the essentials a newborn needs. 

When the expectant mother saw everything, she stood in silence and then began to cry. What she received was more than supplies. It was reassurance. It was dignity. It was the feeling that she and her baby were not alone. 

“I never imagined I would have all this. Now, I feel ready. I feel happy.”

A PLACE TO BE SEEN

When this man first came to COMSA, he wasn’t looking for services. He simply wanted connection. 

In his 60s and living with a chronic illness, he often stopped by our office simply to sit, talk, and be around familiar faces. COMSA felt like a safe place to him. He rarely asked for help for himself.

One afternoon, during a casual conversation, he shared that he had been experiencing severe pain in his leg. He hadn’t seen a doctor. He was afraid of the cost, unsure how the medical system worked, and overwhelmed by the idea of going alone. 

We listened. 

As we talked, COMSA staff learned that he had state health insurance but did not realize it could cover medical care. Together, we called a nearby clinic and secured an urgent appointment that same day. After examining his leg, the clinic immediately sent him to the emergency room. The infection was serious, and doctors later told him that waiting any longer could have been life-threatening.

Because someone listened, he received the care he needed. He left the hospital with medication, wound care, and follow-up support to help him heal. 

This moment is why COMSA exists. If he had not felt safe walking into our office just to be seen and heard, his story could have ended very differently. 

At COMSA, support often begins with a simple conversation. Sometimes, listening is what opens the door to lifesaving help.