A Nexus for Community

Hear below from Aaron Finkel, a long-time volunteer who launched our City Strings program and has recently taken over coordinating our English Buddy program: 

The most meaningful thing I’ve seen is how City of Refuge creates a nexus for community to happen in so many different ways. Volunteers can meet each other and share experiences. Refugees from different parts of the world have a link to each other through City of Refuge. And of course the refugee families can strengthen their links within Columbia through all of the programs available. 

Today a young man came in looking for help with his conversational English, but also brought up that he wanted to offer some of his skills to other refugees in the area. I have been involved in coordinating the English Buddy program for less than a month, and he is the THIRD refugee who has mentioned wanting to help others through volunteering with City of Refuge that I have met so far. And I can’t wait to find ways to get them involved!

One of our favorite things to do is equip and support our refugee friends in their desire to help others. We’re investing time and resources into the development and empowerment of those we serve so that they can be better prepared to handle any crises as they arise, and so that they are better equipped to help others. 

In 2024, we are looking to expand these efforts and we need your help to do so. Whether you give of your time or your resources (or both!), we all have a part to play in making sure our refugee friends find what they need here in America. 

Thank you to our friends, like Aaron, who are investing in ways that truly change lives.