In recent weeks, the Justice and Love in Action Team (formerly the Board of Wider Mission) has received correspondence from several organizations we support, letting us know that our efforts make a huge difference. Here are some updates.
For several years, the African Community Education Project in Worcester has received Seeds of Grace grants from us. They wrote to let us know about the success of their Youth Mentoring Program, which has matched 26 African refugee and immigrant youth with trusted adult mentors. Here’s one of their success stories: Clement, one of this year’s graduating seniors, is [an] emerging leader who benefited greatly from his relationship with his mentor, Melvin. At their weekly meetings, Melvin helped Clement navigate senior year at University Park Campus School, college and financial aid applications, and careers that align with his passions. He supported and encouraged Clement’s work as a student in the ACE programs, Adams Achiever, Innovation Pathway Program (IPP), and as a volunteer for homeless shelters. As a result of his focus and drive, Clement received a well-deserved full-tuition scholarship to Clark University, where he plans to study business management and accounting on the road to earning an MBA. Read the full report here.
Our April special offering supported the Nourishing Gardens Youth Project, a collaboration between Edwards Church, Open Spirit, Tasty Harvest Kitchen Gardens, Hoops and Homework, and Pelham Lifelong Learning Center. We support a gardening project for children in the afterschool programs. Safiyat Hamiss, the garden coach, sent us some beautiful photos of their work.
And we received a thank-you note from A Place to Turn for our recent collection. Here’s an excerpt: I write with heartfelt gratitude for your support of A Place to Turn. Please thank all who participated in your collection—such a wonderful way to help our food pantry this summer. All your efforts are truly appreciated. The donation of 300 pounds of food is generous, timely and will make a positive impact on what we can do for those we serve…We also were so happy to distribute the beautiful basil that the garden produced—a special thank you to the children of the church.
What we do matters. We are so grateful to be in partnership with such life-changing organizations!