Pittsburgh is still receiving refugee families. And AJAPO (Acculturation for Justice, Access, and Peace Outreach) assigned two new families to ELPC in July. Here’s a brief review of how you can help:
- We have a small team of volunteers that help with obtaining and moving essential items like house goods and furniture. If you’d like to be part of this team, contact Eric Jester.
- In May, ELPC held a furniture drive for “Angels in Overalls,” the group that provides furniture for AJAPO’s refugee families. Even though the turnover in furniture is frequent, we would like to help Sister Florence find a less expensive place to store and organize donated furniture than rented storage facilities. If you know of a small warehouse/facility that she could use, please contact Eric Jester with the details.
- AJAPO is looking for volunteers who are willing to meet with individuals or families and practice English through conversation. These are not formal classes. You’d meet in a central location or at their home, develop a relationship with them, and set how often you meet. If you’re interested in volunteering, contact Eric for a volunteer application with AJAPO and send it to mhess@ajapopittsburgh.org.
- If you’re interested in helping with more formalized English conversation classes held by Casa San José at ELPC, please contact Ruth Farrell for more details.
Meeting families from other countries and helping them make the transition to a new country and new culture has been a most amazing experience. It is so much more than welcoming the stranger. It is about making new friends. It is about being a neighbor. Your life will become richer, and you will begin to see the expanse and warmth of God’s children in ways you never imagined.