Imagine you are a refugee fleeing persecution, arriving in Minnesota knowing no one. You are greeted at the airport and helped in your first months by a team of Muslim and Christian volunteers working together. In your homeland you only knew people of your own religious tradition, or your experience with other religions was one of distrust and persecution. But here your interfaith sponsors help you find a home, a job and make a successful transition to self-sufficiency. Gradually you build a new life of hope, safety, peacefulness and connection. This unique team of volunteers has also given you a gift that may have been unimaginable to you – an experience of interfaith cooperation.
Taking Root, an innovative new program at the Minnesota Council of Churches, works towards this vision of thriving community by organizing mixed religion co-sponsorship groups to provide abundant support to some of the newest and most vulnerable arrivals in Minnesota.
In 2010 Minnesota Council of Churches Refugee Services Program began serving refugees that have no family members or connection at all in Minnesota. (Previously all cases have involved family reunification.) Engaged sponsors are essential for helping refugees progress more quickly toward self sufficiency.
Sponsoring a newly arrived refugee is a richly rewarding experience. For a good introduction (and cool video) click here. Taking Root is an additionally unique opportunity because rather than congregations, the sponsoring groups will be mixed-Muslim Christian teams of caring individuals like you. Individuals, willing to work with members of other faith groups, volunteer 3 to 6 hours per week for a four-month period.
Next Informational Meeting
Thursday, July 15, 6:00 – 8:00
Location: Minnesota Council of Churches 122 Franklin Ave. W., Minneapolis
Please RSVP by calling Lynea Geinert at 612-230-3243 or by e-mail at lynea.geinert@mnchurches.org
Invite the Community Organizers for the Taking Root
project, Farheen Hakeem and Lynea Geinert, to visit your adult forum, small
group, or worship service to talk about how you can be a part of this
transformative experience. Contact Lynea at (612) 230-3243 for more
information.
If you are interested in becoming part of one of the mixed-religion co- sponsorship groups please contact Gail Anderson, at gail.anderson@mnchurches.org, or 612-230-3210.
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