INTRODUCTION
Over the last couple decades, as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations and events - 110 million PEOPLE have been forcibly displaced worldwide. Real lives, real families and every one of them has a story to share. This influx of refugees and immigrants has created a pressing need and a great opportunity. We’ve found that in the first 3 months of transition, the majority of physical needs are met by different agencies, including ours. While social services play a crucial part in addressing this crisis, there is one facet that is needed - COMMUNITY - the role of one-another. And if COMMUNITY isn’t present, the success rate falls once resources are exhausted. This is where we pick up a towel and start serving!
OUR STORY
In 2021, Laurent Muvunyi and Jed Wooldridge met for the first time. While sharing a meal TOGETHER, right then and there in the restaurant, these two men, from completely different backgrounds, shared their hearts and their stories. At that table their minds were opened to a new vision of COMMUNITY. During and after that meal, Jed and Laurent began to wonder how they could serve TOGETHER and invite others in to experience this new community as well. As Laurent and Jed share this story today, they will tell you what they saw that first day at the table was a glimpse!
The word immigrant has been misunderstood and misused in the US for a long time. Once we hear the real stories of immigrants, then we can realize it’s not just immigrants seeking refuge but our neighbors seeking COMMUNITY that we are called to serve. What started simply in the hearts of these men has exploded into longer tables. This COMMUNITY is spreading from homes to neighborhoods, and reaching people from all over the world.
MISSION
Our mission is right here! What for many of us was just a story in the news, has now made it into our hearts, our homes and our neighborhoods. Real people, real lives, real families, meeting TOGETHER in homes throughout the week - all looking to know and be known, serve and be served, love and be loved… Building a COMMUNITY that isn’t just inviting someone to sit at the table, but believing they belong here.
GOALS & STRATEGY
Financially supporting the following elements of this mission through:
1. COMMUNITY HOUSING: To provide transitional housing that can subsidize the rent of a transitional home where a group of new immigrants, refugees, and low income citizens can live together for the purposes of safe housing, in COMMUNITY, with intentional relationships and a path to permanent home ownership.
2. RESOURCE CONNECTION: To facilitate COMMUNITY through services like, but not limited to, transportation, filling out and filing legal documentation, employment, appointments and education.
3. THE TABLE: Sharing a weekly meal TOGETHER, showing hospitality and inviting others to join, creating opportunities for engagement and serving within the COMMUNITY.
COST
The total projected cost for 2024-2025 is $500,000. These funds fully support the work we have been given in this COMMUNITY.
If you would like to know more about our work or if you have any questions we would consider it a privilege to share a meal with you around a table (our treat) so that you can hear from our hearts. You can email us at together@athomeus.org.