When families arrive in Kansas City after fleeing instability, violence, or extreme hardship in another country, they often need support as they work to rebuild their lives. United Way’s prepaid debit card assistance funding, distributed through partner agencies like Della Lamb Community Services, helps bridge that gap. These cards give families the flexibility to cover their most urgent needs, with households receiving an average of $930 each.
We spoke to three parents—Abdullah, Salima, and Rosa—each carrying extraordinary journeys that led them to the same place: Della Lamb. Though they come from different countries and speak different languages, their stories blend into one shared truth about resilience, hope, and the power of community.
All three fled danger: Abdullah from Afghanistan, Salima and Rosa from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Salima spent more than 20 years in a refugee camp, entering as a child, marrying there, and giving birth to her nine children in the camp. Rosa moved through four countries (Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Malawi) before finally reaching safety. With limited details they could share, both women described life in the camps simply saying: “It is not easy.”
United Way Impact 100 partner Della Lamb became their anchor, providing English classes, assistance with housing and employment, and help enrolling their children in school. These services gave each family a sense of stability as they learned to navigate a new environment. However, rebuilding a life while supporting their families came with immediate financial strain. That’s where United Way’s prepaid debit card assistance helped make a difference.
For Abdullah, it meant being able to buy his teenage daughter a phone as she prepared to undergo heart surgery, a simple gift that brought her comfort and joy.
For Salima, the card arrived during summer, right when back-to-school shopping felt overwhelming. She used the funds to buy clothes and shoes so her children could start the year ready.
For Rosa, the assistance brought dignity and relief. With 14 people in her household, she used the money to buy mattresses, so her children no longer slept on the floor.
For all three, the support provided more than financial help. It provided breathing room. It gave them the chance to focus on learning English, finding work, and helping their children adjust to life in America.
Today, they are deeply grateful—to be here, to be safe, and to be seen. Their stories, woven together, show how United Way’s investment and Della Lamb’s compassionate guidance are giving families not just a new start, but a new sense of possibility.
It’s thanks to generous support from people like you, that make it possible for United Way to help our newest community members achieve financial security. Give today to ensure we can continue to offer this vital support in 2026.