We believe people are capable of flourishing when their needs are met.
We see the people that we serve at City of Refuge and are amazed. They are standing in two worlds at once: both as members of the Columbia community while retaining their identity in native people groups.
We recognize that self-actualization is innate, a need that is only able to be met when other needs like safety, importance and belonging are met.
At City of Refuge, we hope to set the stage for self-actualization to flourish in the individuals we serve. What reflections have we seen of this need being met? We see it in mothers knowing and expressing their birth preferences to their provider. We see it at World Refugee Day, when our friends share their traditional food and clothing to celebrate their culture with our community. We see it when a former refugee studies for their citizenship exam and passes! Or when, after years, the confidence is developed to take a leap and start that much-dreamed of business.
There are so many ways to give of yourself! Countless people walk through our doors with donations of household goods, clothing, basic needs and furniture. Others contribute with gifts of money. Still others contribute with their time. One group of people who contributes their time is our group of interns. They are busy with college and life yet they carve out time to help us with their talents and abilities.
Meet Joshua Reneau, one of our Spring 2022 interns! Joshua is a Junior studying Health Sciences with an emphasis in Leadership and Policy at the University of Missouri. We asked him to share a little about his experience at City of Refuge.
“I've loved the opportunity to work hands-on with refugees themselves, helping with a variety of issues and helping to direct them to people who have a greater capacity than myself. I hope to gain a greater sense of gratitude and appreciation for the privileges of many in this country as well as to make a genuine impact on the lives of those who come to our office.
I am regularly inspired or blown away by the sheer determination and courage of these people. The plight of refugees is, in my eyes, one of the hardest plights possible and the refugees we work with show courage and bravery every day in readjusting to life in America.
This position has really opened my eyes to many problems that I would not have seen in another situation. Chief among these, language and cultural divides are things I hadn't thought too much about in the past. However, after working in this position for a while I've attained a greater degree of awareness surrounding issues of inequity, and barriers to seeking help for certain communities."
Are you interested in interning at City of Refuge? Now accepting applications for summer and fall internships. If you're between 18-23, apply here!
And of some have compassion, making a difference: Jude 1:22 KJV
Click here to find out more about volunteer opportunities at City of Refuge.
All opinions expressed here are solely mine and are not a reflection of the opinions of the Americorps VISTA program
or of City of Refuge in Columbia, MO.
Much of today's content was taken from our City of Refuge Facebook post. Thank you, Jesse!
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