Community Works
Community Works Initiative
Our families were once immigrants who depended on the kindness and guidance of others in order to find their way in the United States. As Jews, they were part of an ethnic minority who spoke a foreign language, went to temple instead of church, and needed a helping hand in order to make this country their new home.
Welcome to the next chapter of the Jewish community’s involvement in the Congregations in Community initiative of the McKnight Foundation: Community Works. Through Community Works, the Jewish community and our partner groups, The Hmong Cultural Center, Jewish Family Services and La Oportunidad, will assist recent immigrants who are new to our country and community.
Program Description and Mission
Community Works offers members of the Jewish community the opportunity to utilize their professional skills and community orientation as Minnesotans by serving as a friend and mentor to a new American. The program matches volunteers with recent immigrants based on the skills of the volunteer and the needs of the immigrant. Together they will navigate new and potentially confusing systems and obstacles in Minnesota, such as school registration, public transportation and financial literacy. The lives of both people are thereby enriched: the volunteer learns about another culture while helping a new friend and the new American begins to remove barriers to success through better understanding of life in Minnesota.
An Ideal Volunteer Opportunity
Community Works is a flexible volunteer opportunity that can be custom-created based on scheduling, geography and interests. Community Works provides in-depth training and a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from a commitment of a few hours to an investment in a life-long friendship. This mentorship and friendship is a great volunteer opportunity for adults and families.
Embodying the Mission of Justice Squared
Community Works is a unique expansion of the JCRC’s role in building relationships with the greater community. The program addresses the core focus areas of Justice Squared – hunger, housing, literacy, and mentoring – by working directly with new Americans in order to build their capacity to live stable, healthy lives. Community Works helps recent immigrants help themselves and live the same American Dream that brought our forbearers to the United States and to Minnesota. Considering the Minnesota Jewish community’s history of immigration, as well all the skills, expertise and compassion we have to offer, Community Works is a perfect fit for Justice Squared.
We hope you will join us as Community Works moves forward! For more information about upcoming Community Works training sessions, please follow this link. For more information about Community Works, contact Steve Hunegs.