Women of Faith - 2023 Summary, Special Request, & Most Needed Items
Jean Arnott
Dear Women of Faith and Friends,
Happy New Year! 2023 wrapped up with a glorious ending that I can’t give a lot of details publicly about, but I can tell you that it involved the evacuation of six young adult Afghan Christians to safety after an almost two-year effort. Present has been the full range of emotions from terror, grief, sorrow, and fear – to hope, relief, gratitude, and joy unsurpassed! It will take time for healing, but they are in a safe place for that process to take place with the best support imaginable. They are already engaging with jobs, education and improving their English. Miracles have been abundant for these six after indescribable trials. I haven’t personally witnessed such faith and I have felt very humbled to be in their presence. My testimony of a loving God who loves and is aware of all his children – wherever they are and whomever they are – has gone off the charts.
I don’t know if 2024 can top that, but I’m open to the possibility. I continue to see tender mercies very, very often, and choice miracles too. You and others who support our refugee work are a big part of it! I thank you for all you have done to support in the past and invite you to keep Women of Faith Interfaith Service Community in mind as you consider how you will reach out to serve others this coming year.
Everything we do is volunteer. No one is paid. No overhead. Nearly everything given goes to refugees and new immigrants. Occasionally to others in exceptional circumstances. We sometimes engage in other causes such as Loma Linda Children’s Hospital’s Bereavement Program which we’ve been a part of for many years and for short-term needs like when we made 8000+ masks for first responders at the beginning of covid. The funds for these other projects are earmarked especially for them and I thank those who supported those projects as well. We are a non-profit so can provide receipts.
Here are a few highlights for 2023:
· 105 unduplicated families assisted in 2023.
· Representing a total of 29 countries since 2016.
· Settled in 62 communities in California since 2016, plus in Ohio, Utah, Massachusetts, France, Portugal & Canada.
· Partnering with resettlement agencies, county authorities, and other agencies/organizations.
· Participated in the evacuation and escape of several family groups from Afghanistan to safety.
· Participated in the miracle of the recovery of a refugee minor who was taken from her home with the intent to be trafficked.
· Participated in the rescue of a refugee minor who was homeless with no family or resources.
Examples of support (such creative ideas!):
· A supporter applied for and received 3 grants from Foresters in 2023. With the funds, his group assembled first aid kits, tool kits, and hair care & makeup kits for women and girls. Also provided gifts for teens.
· A young couple getting married chose to have their wedding registry include gifts for refugees.
· A high school drama club purchased kitchen items with the ticket sales from their production.
· Spectrum donated 62 clothes irons and a number of George Foreman grills.
· Esri donated several dozen laptop computers – providing a necessity in today’s world.
· Several of the neediest families were adopted for Christmas.
· A church group assembled cleaning kits – buckets filled to the brim with supplies.
· A church group assembled hygiene kits.
· A church group put together makeup and hand care kits for our young refugee women.
· More than one church group made beautiful quilts.
· A young women’s group assembled kits of crafting materials – perfect for young refugee women who desire to express themselves and create beauty for their homes.
· A group of young adult women put the finishing touch on stuffed animals by adding colorful ribbons.
· Family groups – large and small – gathered together to make beautiful Welcome posters and write personal letters of welcome.
· Donations of furniture, appliances, and thousands of household items were donated by so many of you, with many of you bringing your gifts to our warehouse – sometimes going long distances.
· Volunteers made numerous trips – some weekly – to pick up donations and bring them to us.
· Cash donations have been a blessing for purchasing items we’re short of in the moment, and for things such as helping a refugee get their university transcripts evaluated so they can pick up their education here. Also financing driving training for refugee moms – an important and vital step.
· Thousands of hours have been logged here in Mentone by dedicated volunteers who come every Friday morning to prepare donations for gifting. And thousands more hours by volunteers in communities all over – bringing trucks and trailers and sometimes U Hauls – to fill with nearly everything a newly arrived family needs to get started. And more volunteers on site - assembling beds, furniture, making beds, unpacking, hanging shower curtains, and making friends.
· Really good news is that an able volunteer has offered to create a website for us and is working on it now. It will include a donate button 😊. In the meantime, check our FB page from time to time to see what’s going on. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064856673626 .
I could go on and on. I apologize right now for anyone I’ve missed. I’m positive that I have! Please jump up and down and wave your hands so I can add you next time.
Of course, you know I can’t end without listing our current list of most needed items and any special requests.
First the special request: Riverside County VOAD has contacted us to ask for help with providing some things for an 80+ year old woman whose home was filled with mud due to a mudslide. Team Rubicon has cleaned it up and it’s ready to be re-furnished so that she can move back in. With the holidays, other resources that have been contacted have not been in a position to help. Fortunately, we have most of what she needs. We’d love to complete the list. If you have any of the following, please let me know asap.
· A refrigerator – I’m checking for size specs
· An electric stove – I’m check for size specs
· A lift chair recliner
· Dresser
Now for our list of most needed items. Here they are. If you’d like to contribute something, you can drop off here in Mentone, order and have it shipped directly here, or donate cash and we’ll do the shopping for you. If you ship, put your name next to Women of Faith in the address and I’ll let you know when your donation arrives. Happy to provide a receipt. Just let me know where to send it.
The address to ship or send a check to is:
Women of Faith Interfaith Service Community
31838 Florida Avenue
Mentone, CA 92359
Venmo (for now) is @JEAN-ARNOTT-1
Most needed items:
· Brooms
· Dustpans
· Mops
· Bathroom rugs
· Storage containers – all sizes
· Utensil organizers
· Measuring cups & spoons
· Lotion – family size
· Mixing & serving bowls
· Large kitchen utensils (wire whisks, potato peelers, wooden spoons, ladles, etc.)
· Manual can openers
· Laundry baskets (sturdy ones)
· Scissors (household size)
· Paper towels
·
Pots and pans – all sizes
Many thanks! Wishing you all the best in the new year!
Jean
