Anne Quetua knows that most Americans, including her father, have an immigrant story to tell.

Some stories are more challenging than others but none are as moving as those told by refugees.

And while the devastation of war and hardship that plagues so much of the world may seem light years away from suburban Chicago, the opportunity to save a life is right at hand.

Anne, a Wheaton North High School junior, recently formed the first youth advisory board for World Relief, (https://worldrelief.org/chicagoland/about-us/), a global Christian humanitarian organization that helps refugees and other immigrants rebuild their lives in a new country. It has resettlements in Chicago and DuPage County, as well as Aurora.

“I think it’s important for youth to get involved,” the 17-year-old said. “Our mission is to raise awareness about the needs and concerns of refugees in our area” and to encourage young people to help.

The 20 or so teen members — who hail from Wheaton North and other area high schools as well as a few who joined via Instagram — do that by fundraising, collecting home essentials for Welcome Kits and tutoring the newcomers in math and English.

The board “is the first, if not only, youth advocacy group” that the longstanding organization has ever had, said Stephanie Clark, director of strategic engagement for World Relief Chicagoland.

“It’s been pretty incredible to see these young people come together over this issue and want to rally the community,” Clark said. “We have been struck by their heart and passion for ‘welcoming the stranger’ and making our communities a place where all are given a chance to build thriving lives. They really fully understand that. It gives me a lot of hope for the future because they’re going to be leading that.”

Clark said the organization works with refugees from over 100 countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Afghanistan, Ukraine and Venezuela. Last year, more than 10,000 immigrants found a pathway to a new life here, she said.

“Now more than ever they need support,” Clark said.

Anne got involved after volunteering as an activity leader at World Relief’s Breakthrough Summer Camp. A member of Key Club, Anne was interested in community service with a focus. She decided to bring together high school students to help on a regular basis.

The board began with a small group from her school’s Christian community, the Falcons for Him Club, and has since expanded to include students from neighboring schools, Anne said.

Their first major event was a silent auction fundraiser.

“We reached out to local businesses for donations, successfully securing gift cards and tickets from teams like the Chicago White Sox,” she said.

In addition, in June, the students organized a Welcome Kit Drive at Jewel-Osco grocery store in Wheaton, collecting nearly $1,300 and 900 pounds of food and household items for incoming refugee families.

“As customers entered the store, we distributed lists of requested items and welcomed cash donations,” Anne said. “Although we faced some opposition – one shopper asked how much it would cost to send all of the refugees back,” most were encouraging and grateful for the opportunity to help.

Some of the students who comprise the board sympathize with the struggle because family members have endured it. Others simply have empathy for people in need.

The oldest of three girls, Anne also is inspired by her father, Edilvergel Quetua, who teaches English at Hubble Middle School.

“He often shared his experiences of immigrating to the U.S. (from the Philippines) and the profound impact of teaching English to a Sudanese refugee who initially spoke only his name,” she said.

Through their volunteer work, the teens have raised money and awareness, as well as befriended many of the newcomers.

“It’s been really cool,” Anne said. “I tutor some of them and get to see them improve with language and math, and become more friendly as they gain skills.”

The goal now is to expand, she said.

“We’d like to have different chapters in different cities,” said Anne.

Anne also is editor of her school newspaper and a member of Wheaton North High School’s math team and animal welfare club.

“It’s important to get involved. Though it can be difficult to raise money and find other kids who are interested, you have to keep at it and be passionate about the work,” she said.

She also volunteers with Renew, another local organization that helps refugee women gain financial stability.

Anne has set her sights on studying sociology or history in college and then perhaps working with the United Nations.

But for now, she said, “The youth board aims to broaden our reach by welcoming more dedicated members from DuPage County schools. We will continue hosting monthly Zoom meetings to discuss refugee-related issues and are planning additional fundraising events, with potential volunteer opportunities at World Relief’s Homework Club.”

Donna Vickroy is an award-winning reporter, editor and columnist who worked for the Daily Southtown for 38 years. She can be reached at donnavickroy4@gmail.com.