HERBST (AUTUMN)

Projects we prepared for approval this week:

Door Replacement-Refugees-Rome

On July 4 a gas station explosion occurred just meters away from a refugee center in Rome. The explosion severely damaged the building, destroying 25 old wooden doors, cracking walls and compromising the security of the structure. The funds for this project will replace the doors and repair the plaster.

Welcome Center Renewal-Refugees-Milano

The municipality of Milano is a main actor in the management of migrant fluxes in Italy. More than 1,000 unaccompanied minors and 557 families are currently enrolled in Milan’s reception system. This project focuses on upgrading outdoor spaces at two refugee welcoming centers. Beneficiaries will participate in this renewal as they plant and care for vegetable gardens.

Warehouse Renovation & Food Assistance-Vulnerable Families-Rome

More than 1,500 locals receive assistance at this Red Cross food bank. The warehouse will be renovated, and a donation of tuna fish and olive oil will be made.

Vulnerable Refugee Support-Rome

CIR (consultants for Refugees) is an NGO whose main goal is the reunification of families. This project will provide funding for first necessities, school supplies for children, job placement and academic support through vocational training courses for young adults, and by providing mental health support when necessary.

Educational Supplies & Teachers-Women & Children-Athens

JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) is requesting funds to support after school programs for immigrant children who need homework help, and for adult language and computer classes.

Computers-Migrant Women-Bad Homburg, Germany

We made a follow-up visit to one of our projects here in town. This women’s center provides computer training for women. Our church donated the laptops. In the class we observed, the women expressed their gratitude for this opportunity:

“I am only surrounded by Ukrainian speakers. I have a background in computer skills-this class is building on those skills and helping me learn German.”

“I used computers in Korea but there are so many new skills to learn. This class is filling the gap between what I currently know and the latest tools that are available such as AI”

“Most recruiting for job placement is done online. I need these skills to apply for a job.”

“I feel empowered to reach solutions in my personal and professional life because of the skills I am learning”

“Our teacher is very knowledgeable, but I also learn from my classmates who all have different perspectives.”

Currently more than 100 women from 10+ countries are engaged in classes at this center that opened in July.

One of our new arrivals to the area office are Elder and Sister Otterson. They serve as communications directors for our humanitarian department. We enjoyed dinner after our midweek temple trip

And a Saturday outing to nearby Hessen Park. This open-air museum brings the region’s rural history vividly to life. It was created in the 1970’s to preserve historic buildings that were being demolished in villages across the Hesse region. We saw over 100 structures including half-timbered houses, barns, churches and workshops.