Jen Osing, right, executive director of World Relief Quad Cities, talks with Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership, on Thursday, June 20, during an grand opening ceremony for WRQC's new office space at 210 Emerson Place, Suite 300, Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
The new World Relief Quad Cities office in downtown Davenport received an official welcome-to-the-community message on Thursday afternoon, June 20. More than 50 people attended a Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony at WRQC office’s new home at 210 Emerson Place, Suite 300. The office is on the third floor of the building which […]
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The new World Relief Quad Cities office in downtown Davenport received an official welcome-to-the-community message on Thursday afternoon, June 20.More than 50 people attended a Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony at WRQC office’s new home at 210 Emerson Place, Suite 300. The office is on the third floor of the building which is also home to the Barrel House bar and grill at 211 E. Second St.
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Davenport Mayor Mike Matson points out some features of the new office space for World Relief Quad Cities at 210 Emerson Place, Suite 300, Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is held Thursday, June 20, for World Relief Quad Cities at 210 Emerson Place, Suite 300, Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
This is the front area of the new office space for World Relief Quad Cities at 210 Emerson Place, Suite 300, Davenport. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
Jen Osing, executive director of World Relief Quad Cities.
WRQC is a non-profit agency that helps refugees from many parts of the world. It offers a wide variety of services that helps them find jobs and new homes in the region.“We love it here. It’s such a welcoming space. … This is going to allow us to help more refugees,” said Jen Osing, executive director of World Relief Quad Cities.The new downtown WRQC office, which has been open since last October, has about 15 staff members. The WRQC also has an office at 1852 16th St., Moline, which has about 45 staff members.Before the downtown Davenport office space became home to World Relief, it was the business home to Paragon Commercial Interiors.In addition to the roomy office space – that features a lot of interior exposed brick and portrait photos of people helped by the organization – the offices will soon replicate many of the features being offered at the Moline office site. For instance, there are plans to eventually set up a food pantry in the office to help refugee families, said George Carizey, director of outreach and development for WRQC.“We love being part of this historic neighborhood. … It’s really a good place to work, and people know they can get help here,” he added.Kyle Carter, executive director of the Downtown Davenport Partnership and one of the speaker’s at Thursday’s ceremonies, called WRQC’s new office space “super cool and a great example of downtown architecture.”In addition to admiring the new office space, much of Thursday’s events focused on WRQC’s work. The non-profit agency has welcomed over 8,000 immigrants and refugees into the Quad Cities in the past 24 years. Some of the services it offers include education, employment and resettlement.“At World Relief, we believe making a difference is a two-way street. Over the past 40-plus years, we’ve been guiding people like you to volunteering in ways that make a lasting impact. You can bring your gifts, abilities and interest, and World Relief will help you connect and walk alongside families and individuals as they rebuild their lives in the Quad Cities,” according to the WRQC website.Today, WRQC is part of a national network of offices that helps more than 400,000 immigrants and refugees.That mission now includes efforts being made through its new offices in downtown Davenport. “Our team is excited for this new opportunity in Iowa,” Ms. Osing added.
