βI was a stranger and you welcomed meβ¦β Matt. 25:36
Did you know that our community has 16,000 new Americans from over 40 different countries? Is there a country that you would like to visit or learn more about? Perhaps there is someone who is new to our area from that country who needs to know more about the United States, especially its language.
Giving and Learning: Mentoring New Americans to Succeed is a program based at Riverview Place which seeks to match volunteers willing to help new Americans achieve citizenship, improve their English skills and learn about American life. Right now there are over 250 people on a waiting list to receive help with English language speaking, reading and writing.
Please contact Rachel at 271-7532 if you know anyone willing to be a mentor.
A recent editorial in the Forum praised the contributions of the Giving+Learning Program while alerting us to the challenges faced as local and regional funding has been reduced. A benefactor has committed $10,000 to be matched by other donations received by April 1st. To date over 700 new Americans have been helped to become more self-sufficient by the staff and volunteers of this valuable organization.
CHARISM, one of our Care and Share Ministries, also works with new Americans, with a special focus on children. Their Helping Children Learn after school program utilizes volunteer mentors to help build academic and social skills for elementary school children.
Contact Shanda Bultsma, Youth Development Director, at the Stonebridge Site, 3350 35th Ave. S. for more information on this program and other volunteer opportunities. Call 241-8569 or go to http://www.charism.org
