Good Neighbor Teams…an Opportunity for Reciprocal Relationships
By Amy Herman, Reception and Placement Director
I joined the Mission Adelante staff just three short months ago and have already had the amazing privilege of meeting many new friends from at least 11 different countries! Everyday I find myself wondering what it must be like to be a stranger in a strange land? To be forced to leave everything and everyone you know, to start over, sometimes at a moment’s notice?
I have enjoyed welcoming our new friends to K.C., and helping them learn about American culture. It has been a mutual learning experience of learning about their culture, learning words in new languages, drinking some delicious tea from Afghanistan and even some Injera bread, a staple in Eritrea.
Right here in Kansas City, refugees and other immigrants in the United States are in need of people like you: local community members who will welcome and help them navigate new challenges as they seek to rebuild their lives in the U.S. We call these teams, Good Neighbor Teams. GNT’s are matched with refugees and commit to walking alongside newcomers for the first 6-12 months, with the goal that each refugee who arrives to the U.S. will feel the warm welcome of his/her local community.
When asked why she participates on a GNT, Kristin Cooke says, “ Involving our whole family on a Good Neighbor Team is so special not only because our kids learn about helping others, but the bond children can make instantly is truly a gift from God”.
Would you and your friends, family, church, or business, be interested in connecting with a refugee family? We are looking for teams of 6-8 who would like the opportunity to steward long-term reciprocal relationships. This could look like many different things, but spending time together, learning from one another, supporting, and empowering the newcomers as they learn to navigate and make a home here is so important to the role Good Neighbor Teams play. This could include airport pick-up, rides to appointments, housing set up, homework and school navigation, and more. If you are interested in participating in a Good Neighbor Team, but don’t have a full team to serve with, we will try to connect you with others in a similar situation to form a full GNT. Contact me at randpdirector@missionadelante.org if you are interested.
LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES?
MISSION ADELANTE OBSERVATION NIGHTS ARE HERE : JULY 8 - 11
Take a glimpse of what is going on at Mission Adelante and what we are doing in our different programs. This is a great opportunity to have the full experience of a Mission Adelante volunteer.
For more information visit: www.missionadelante.org/observe
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