New Americans reports to a New Americans Ministry Team which in turn reports to the governing board of elders called the session. New Americans Ministry is led by a team of volunteers. New Americans is funded by donations to The First Presbyterian Church of Champaign for the work of New Americans.

For more information or to volunteer contact Bob Kirby at rwk3213@gmail.com or 217-621-5915

New Americans

New Americans Ministry Team at First Presbyterian Champaign, IL works to translate God’s Word and the policies of the national Office of Immigration Issues of the Presbyterian Church (USA) into action. The team supports advocacy initiatives of Presbyterians For Just Immigration.

 New Americans partners with The Refugee Center, CU-FAIR (Friends and Allies of Immigrants and Refugees), New Americans Welcome Center (University YMCA), C-U Immigration Forum, Immigration Project , SHED, and other regional organizations. It coordinates
information and action around such issues as detention, trafficking, immigration law, asylum, refugees, borders, and acculturation through networks and educational events. It examines the root causes of poverty and oppression and advocates for compassion and justice.

The priorities of New Americans is continued study and teaching about the Biblical mandates for treating the immigrant, stranger or foreigner; prayer for vulnerable neighbors and for governments; coordinating with local adult education programs to fill continuing needs for basic English language communication skills; facilitating access to health care, housing, food, and jobs; and relocation  of families to their first American homes.


Volunteers

New Americans  trains and coordinates volunteers dedicated to being good neighbors. Volunteers help with English teaching, mentoring, transportation, and  job applications. They help with translation and facilitate access to agencies which can provide food, clothing and shelter.  Volunteers are encouraged to participate in a wide range of episodic community activities for the immigrant community.

We are all volunteers.  We work together and strive for flexible scheduling in ongoing attempts to match volunteers’ interests and talents with the needs of the community. We work closely with other community groups.

We interview potential volunteers to explore how to best match interests and need. 

Funding

This ministry is funded  by charitable tax deductible gifts to  First Presbyterian Champaign.

For more information or to volunteer write rwk3213@gmail.com
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)