When Sawsan arrived at Joshua Station with her three children, she carried more than just the weight of displacement—she carried the deep love of a mother fighting for her family’s future. As a refugee from Syria, Sawsan faced challenges familiar to many who leave everything behind in search of safety and stability. Yet, her greatest struggle was not just learning a new culture or a new language; it was caring for her eldest daughter, whose terminal illness had kept her in the hospital for months.

A few weeks ago Sawsan’s daughter finally came home—to Joshua Station, to hospice, to the embrace of a community committed to standing with them in love. Though the days are difficult, Sawsan does not walk them alone. And in the midst of it all, she persists courageously and with boundless hope.

Sawsan is determined to make the most of the time she has with her daughter. She dreams of creating moments of joy—a home filled with laughter, the warmth of shared meals, the simple delight of siblings playing together. She refuses to let sorrow define these days; instead, she is shaping them with love. Through bedtime stories, whispered prayers, and the music of her native tongue filling their home, she is crafting memories that will outlive hardship. This is not just survival—it is resistance against despair, an insistence on dignity and love in the face of suffering.

At Joshua Station, we believe that community is not built on sameness but on the courage to embrace difference. Sawsan is Muslim and speaks only Arabic, yet language and faith have never been barriers to care. Instead, they have been bridges—opportunities for our residents, staff, and volunteers to step beyond what is familiar and into the sacred space of compassion.

People have shown up in ways big and small. Some have joined the meal train, ensuring that Sawsan has one less thing to worry about. Others have simply offered presence in a time of uncertainty. While words may not always be understood, love and compassion is—through a warm meal, a shared smile, a helping hand.

This is what it means to be a part of Joshua Station. We do not just house families; we hold them in the fullness of their stories, their struggles, and their strength. We believe that dignity is found in walking with one another, even when the path is hard, even when the differences seem great, because love is always greater. Sawsan’s story is not just hers—it is ours. It is a testament to the power of community, to the beauty of leaning into difference, and to the hope that rises when we choose to show up for one another.

—Miriam Medina, Joshua Station Family Advocate

 

 

 

Help us raise $90,000 for our Joshua Station families by April 10!

Please also join us and invite friends to our

Spring Into Caring Celebration Event

When: Thursday April 10, 5:15-7:00pm

Where: Mile High Ministries, 913 North Wyandot Street, Denver

What: Enjoy heavy appetizers, beverages, and relaxed time with staff in our MHM Great Room. Then we’ll go next door to Joshua Station for dessert with our wonderful residents.

RSVP by Friday April 4:

For more information about this campaign or the celebration event, please contact Jill Gilley by email or phone 303-839-5198 x109.