WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?
A DECADE OF WELCOME, HOPE, AND OPPORTUNITY AT THE HOPE CENTER
In the Gospel Luke, Jesus imparts one of His most challenging and familiar parables: The Good Samaritan. In it, he links our attitude toward others with our attitude toward God.
“Who is my neighbor?” Is the question put to Jesus.
His answer: our neighbor is any person we encounter, see their need and are able to meet that need with compassion, unity and a commitment to their dignity and worth.
Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus teaches us that our neighbor is not defined by nationality, race, or religion, but by proximity and need.
At Building Hope in the City, we believe this teaching is foundational to our mission. We are called to love all our neighbors as ourselves—whether they come from across the world or across the street. All people are created in God’s image (Imago Dei).
Since opening The Hope Center in 2015, our staff, volunteers and partners have embraced this call, offering hospitality, support, and resources to more than 20,000 refugees and immigrants who walked through our doors.
Accompanying them on their journey from surviving to thriving blesses us, too. It reveals God’s beautiful diversity, reminds us of our similarities across cultures, deepens our appreciation for our nation’s immigrant roots, and heralds God’s multi-ethnic Kingdom.
Ways to Get Involved
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Eat
Join One World Kitchen for an extraordinary dining experience that celebrates global cuisine, resilience, and opportunity. Save these upcoming dinner event dates prepared by graduates of the culinary workforce program.
April 11 - Afghan cuisine
September 16 - Moroccan cuisine
October 24 - Eritrean, Congolese, and Sudanese cuisine
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Learn
Join us on May 15 for Faith + Immigration, an insightful event on advocacy as faith leaders speak about the implications of the Southern Border. This will include a panel discussion focused on the experiences and challenges faced by asylum-seeking families, offering a deeper understanding of the need for support and action.
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Engage
Join us as an individual volunteer or invite a speaker to engage your church or organization.
Contact Anele Zondo, Manager of Ministry Engagement at anele@buildinghopeinthecity.org to learn more or schedule.
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Hire
Looking to hire dedicated individuals at your business? Refugees bring incredible resilience and a strong work ethic to every job.
Contact Jewel Yokie, Senior Manager of The Hope Center at jewel@buildinghopeinthecity.org.
Give
We, the Church, have an opportunity now to step up and prepare to meet every neighbor who knocks on our door with the resources and support they need. We need you! Every gift is needed and will help ensure the continuation of The Hope Center’s mission.
$5,000 – Provides a One World Kitchen Scholarship
Help an aspiring entrepreneur achieve their culinary dreams.
$2,500 – Funds an Outreach Event
Summer Youth Sports Camps
Back to School Event
First Thanksgiving Meal in America
Christmas Celebration Event
$1,000 – Underwrites Citizenship
The Center charges only a fraction of the true cost to provide legal services for naturalization.
$250-500 – Supplies Adult and Youth Education Classes
Educational Tools for YouthESL & Adult Education Materials
Note: The items shown for each dollar level above are for illustration purposes only.
