From Volunteers to Friends
by Jill McDonald- Burger , Refugee ESL volunteer
My husband and I have volunteered with the Refugee ESL program at Mission Adelante for a couple of years now. We began this journey in support of our daughter, Veronica Garcia, who was following her passions and accepted her dream job as ESL Education Director here. What began as our passion to support her, became our own passion to connect and share life with new friends from many places. These new friends are very near and dear to our heart! Our desire to be a local support system to these new friends has blessed us more than we could ever imagine. We have often welcomed them in our home, shared meals, helped with car problems, and prayed for each other continually.
We have watched the students grow in knowledge, confidence, and strength. We have laughed together so many times, I tear up just thinking about the joy they have brought to my life! We have also hugged and cried together for a variety of reasons. It is good to have a shoulder to lean on and some words of encouragement when the challenges of life get heavy.
The skills we have acquired by loving people from all places, learning to listen to their stories, and understand their culture, have already been an asset to us in connecting with other people and making new friends. Understanding and respecting our differences is what makes us unique and interesting. This experience will bless us and others for years to come. Thank you, Mission Adelante, for giving us a place to discover these joyful and wonderful connections!
Help Our Refugee Families
Your impact is huge for our refugee families! Currently, we are in need of:
Toys that are clean and in good shape for kids under the age of 3
Hygiene kits
Vacuums
You can also volunteer to help with administrative tasks like creating client files and notebooks and other resources.
For more information on how to be a part of this effort, contact our Reception and Placement Director, Amy Herman, at randpdirector@missionadelante.org.
Be part of our programs!
We are so excited for everything that is happening in our programs and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us next trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: http://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.