Posts by bclark

Last year, we introduced you to Mary, one of our World Relief Memphis volunteers. She’s been actively involved in our Youth Mentoring Program, and, she’s spearheading our Resiliency Program, which empowers women by teaching them the hard and soft skills necessary to find a job through sewing.  

When World Relief Memphis first launched their Resiliency program, Mary was living in rural Kentucky. Originally from Memphis, she knew the World Relief staff member in charge of the program, and, as a fan of textile arts, she wished she could get involved right away. 

“I began learning textile arts, like needlepoint and embroidery, from family as a very young child,” she said. “My dream was to be involved with a weaving studio or quilting bee, where I could make textile products with ladies from other cultures.” 

With the distance, however, she knew her dream would have to wait. Instead, she would do her best to share about the program and get others involved. 

“I was texting a bunch of people in Memphis saying, ‘If I was there, I would get involved. Research it, look into it, please get involved,’” she told her friends and family.  “’This is a good thing.’” 

A year later, Mary was back in Memphis, but the COVID-19 pandemic meant that her dreams of “chatting and laughing with other women while being surrounded by soft fabric and beautiful colors” would have to wait once again.  

In the meantime, she began volunteering as a Youth Mentor, helping a recent high school graduate prepare for college. It did not involve sewing, but it did allow her to get a glimpse of the diverse community that calls Memphis home. 

“I’ve always been fascinated by travel and other cultures; I enjoy exciting food and getting to visit other places, and so, being able to build a relationship with people who are different from me in my own city is really exciting,” she explained. 

When WRM announced that they needed a volunteer to help with the Resiliency program in July then, Mary knew that it was the right time. It wasn’t a quilting bee overseas as she had originally imagined, but it was close. 

“Now, I am back in a city I left, in a country I tried to leave. I am using the skills God gave me to do what I love!” said Mary, who works full-time as well. “I am getting to be friends with ladies from many different countries! I would not have met these ladies if I had moved to one of their countries of origin.” 

Each Saturday, they meet to discuss their sewing projects from the week before. If a student needs help, Mary shows them the next steps, encouraging them throughout the process. At the same time, the women are able to practice their English and prepare for a future career. 

“If I could encourage women, that would make it all worth it,” she said. “Even if it’s just like ‘Wow, you did really good,’ by sewing a string or ‘Look at that button you sewed on by yourself. I’m really proud of you. You learned something in another language that is not your natural language. That’s great!’” 

Already, Mary can see the progress that her students have made in just the few short weeks they’ve been working together. 

Mary, thank you for donating your time and talents to help our neighbors in Memphis! If you want to do the same, join us as a volunteer—whether it’s youth mentoring, practicing English or helping a family. There’s plenty of ways to get involved, and we would love to have you come alongside us as we seek to serve our neighbors. 

As we close out Black History Month, we spoke with a member of the local church, Gashayeneh, about his experience growing up in Ethiopia and moving to the United States in his early twenties. 

When Gashayeneh moved to the U.S. in 2005 from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Black history was a seemingly distant topic for him. 

“I felt like African American history was something far away from me,” he said. “I didn’t have any attachment to it—it used to feel very distant.” 

Growing up, Gashayeneh learned about famed figures from the Civil Rights movement such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his political science classes, but his studies on the matter tended to focus on apartheid in South Africa. 

“We were told a lot about apartheid in South Africa, how that apartheid looks like the same that African Americans were living in the U.S.,” said Gashayeneh who is an active member of Spring of Life Evangelical Church in Memphis. “We didn’t have a complete understanding of the history or the Civil Rights movements in America.” 

Upon moving to Arkansas after receiving a green card through the diversity lottery visa program, what he had learned in the classroom finally began coming to life around him.  

“After I came to the U.S., I learned a lot,” Gashayeneh said. “I had a personal interaction with African Americans, their lives, their histories, the culture and the challenges they’re going through. I started getting a personal understanding of the history and knowing more.” 

More than 15 years later, he’s still learning today, even through his children, who celebrate Black History Month in school.  

“I saw my children doing a lot of projects on African American history, especially in February about the people, what happened, innovations,” said Gashayeneh, whose children are 6 and 8 years old. “I’m happy that they know that because they have that freedom. The freedom that they have is because of that [Civil Rights] movement. I want them to have true understanding of the history and the movement.” 

In fact, without the Civil Rights movement, Gashayeneh and his family wouldn’t be here today. Migration through programs such as the lottery visa was not readily available for those looking to come to the U.S. from Africa prior to that movement, and since then, families such as Gashayeneh’s have been given a chance at building a better life for themselves. 

“The Civil Rights movement was not only to have equal rights for African Americans and for white people, it was beyond that,” he explained. “A lot of people have migrated from Africa to the United States, and they changed their life, and they changed their families’ lives back home, and also they were able to contribute to the growth and success of the United States.” 

Because of that, Gashayeneh does his best to contribute to the country he calls home now, encouraging others who have just arrived to do the same. And as a volunteer with World Relief Memphis, he’s able to do just that.  

“I’m so grateful, I’m very happy. I’m always grateful for this great nation, for the government, and for the people,” said Gashayeneh, who has served on a Good Neighbor Team before. “A lot of people invested in me when I came to the United States. Now, it’s my turn to do something good.” 

Gashayeneh, thank you for sharing your story with us! We are so glad to have you here as our neighbor, helping to welcome others into the community alongside us. 

If you would like to welcome our neighbors like Gashayeneh to the U.S. as well, join us as a volunteer or an intern this summer. 

As we gear up for summer internships, we asked one of our former interns, Emma, to tell us about her time at World Relief and what it meant to her.

During winter break of my junior year, I was considering summer internship options in Memphis. As a Political Science and International Studies major at Rhodes College, I knew I wanted to expand my cross-cultural experiences. And as a rising senior, I knew I wanted to serve within the Memphis community for my last summer here.

While World Relief allowed me to connect with my studies, it also encouraged an exploration of the spiritual side of non-profit work, which I especially appreciate. In my journey of faith, I’ve always considered my home church in Texas to be my sacred roots. Being far from home for college, I sometimes felt a little stagnant in that journey. However, my home church cultivated a passion for service–faith and service have always walked hand in hand in my book. World Relief provided me an opportunity to grow in my journey of faith, immerse myself in a new side of Memphis, and learn more about the city’s refugee communities. 

I worked mainly in the employment office throughout my time, helping with job readiness and computer classes. Although, I often helped with other tasks around the office like transporting clients to and from classes at the Connect Language Center or job interviews, assisting with outreach, and delivering items to clients. Though working in different offices, the four of us interns grew close throughout our Friday discussions on the book When Helping Hurts.

I am immensely grateful for the time we spent learning and growing together, challenging and expanding our understanding of service and faith. Interning with World Relief was the kind of experience I will carry with me wherever I go after graduation; it made such a positive impact on both my faith and my passion for service. 

Emma, thank you for serving our families so well during your time with us! Best of luck in your future endeavors as you graduate this semester.

Do you want an internship experience like Emma’s or know someone who is looking? Intern applications for the summer are currently open!

At World Relief, we believe in celebrating all people and cultures because we are all made in the image of God. This month, we’re focusing on Black history in honor of Black History Month, from the founding of our country to the Civil Rights Movement to today, and the immigrant and refugee stories that are being woven into this history as we speak.  

To kick off the month, we asked some of our staff to reflect on what Black history means to them and how it pertains to our newest neighbors arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Ethiopia and around the world.  

As you reflect on historically famous African American Leaders, who stands out to you the most and why?  

Yusri, Resettlement Specialist: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. because he stood up for what was right, even though he knew the price of his action was costly. 

Mahasin, Holistic Support Specialist: As I reflect on historically famous African American leaders, Fred Hampton stands out to me because of his dedication to seeing the Black community holistically transformed and elevated. For how young he was, he was a powerful activist who greatly influenced his community as well as the Civil Rights and Black Power movements at large. 

Clarence, Employment Manager: My favorite African American leader is Harriet Tubman.  She didn’t look like a leader, but in the end, she garnered the respect of generals in the military.  She was leading enslaved people to freedom by totally depending on the guidance of the Lord.  She served as an example of how to lead under pressure by being led by the Spirit.  The life of Harriet Tubman reminds me to answer the call to lead but to not rely on my strength and intellect alone to achieve success.  Through the fiercest storms and the most challenging situations, I’m learning more with each trial to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s voice and follow it, even when it doesn’t make sense to me.  

Lydia, Volunteer Coordinator: Harriet Tubman is one of my favorite Black leaders. Under the circumstances and with all odds stacked against her, she was able to lead over 300 slaves to freedom and be an activist in the women’s suffrage movement. She was a woman, and she was illiterate. To most, those two factors might have been major setbacks. Yet, she escaped slavery and returned to help others. Her confidence and boldness were supernatural, and she attributes her success to the Lord. I hope to honor her legacy by standing up for what’s right and taking action, even if it involves big risks. I hope to walk in confidence wherever I go because of my dependency and trust in the Lord. 

What lessons can be learned from the experiences of Black History Month?  

Yusri, Resettlement Specialist: I think Black History Month has helped many African Americans to unite and learn more about their role in society. 

Mahasin, Holistic Support Specialist: One lesson that can be taken from Black history makers is the value of perseverance and integrity. Sticking to these values (along with other factors) has led to the success of many Civil Rights movements in the U.S. and progress in the ongoing struggle for equity. 

Clarence, Employment Manager: Three lessons that I will take to heart.  1) Never give up because you are the minority.  2)  Perceptions are flawed more than ever, so people will judge you by the color of your skin and not the content of your character.  3) Plan, prepare, practice, deliver, pray, and in the middle of the night when no one is watching, feel it, cry it out, sleep, and repeat.   

Lydia, Volunteer Coordinator: When I think about Black history makers, I think about our ancestors that weren’t given a choice to be taken from their homes. I think about them being uprooted from everything they knew and being forced into survival mode. They had children, and then they had children. Every generation has had to work through trauma and re-train themselves to believe that they were made and created with worth and value. Whether its Black history makers that are in school textbooks or the ones that will never be known, I believe the thing that they had in common was a deep belief and desire to be treated like they were created in the image of God. So, they spoke up. They fought back. Many died. Many have committed their lives to the cause of liberty, freedom, and justice for our people. A lesson that I will always take with me is to use my voice to speak up for what is right because that is the example that is set before me. 

 
 
How does Black history help tell the story of what it means to be an American?  

Yusri, Resettlement Specialist: Being an American may have many meanings that differ from one person to another. In my opinion, Black history tells a story of forgiveness and recovery. 

Mahasin, Holistic Support Specialist: Black history helps to tell the story of what it means to be an American because it’s integral to painting a fuller, richer, and, most importantly, accurate picture of American history. Black history in America and American history are inextricably linked, so to understand one is to understand the other. 

Clarence, Employment Manager: What comes to my mind was the memories of growing up not seeing people that looked like me as heroes, intelligent, respected, and valued. My family became my heroes.  

Additionally, increasing my knowledge of Black History helped shape my mentality and gave me survival skills to endure as well.   

A great variety of courageous Black women and men who contributed to American culture’s core taught me to seek outside-of-the-box solutions, daring to bring a difference that challenges mediocrity and superiority. I learned from Black history that there is always more than one way to solve problems, but only one way to eternal life. Whether those lessons make me more of an authentic American or a proud human craving opportunity is okay. 
 

Lydia, Volunteer Coordinator: Black history tells a story of resilience and strength. When life gives you lemons you make lemonade. That is the story of Black history. As a people, we have taken the bad and the ugly and have been on a journey of rebuilding and restoration. Black history is American history. Black people built this country and shaped its culture, and I am proud to be a part of the legacy. 

 
The history of African migration is long, but the story continues today. How do you think immigration helped shape Black history?  

Yusri, Resettlement Specialist: Over the years, many African Americans have lost their connection with Africa and roots. However, I see that today’s migration has revived many of those who lost hope in searching or thinking about what links them to the African continent. 

Mahasin, Holistic Support Specialist: I think that immigrants helped to shape Black history by pouring in elements of their own culture, that would then mix, into that of which they were integrating into. This mixing process has been happening since the first immigrants came to the U.S. and is still happening today. The result is a diverse yet distinguishable Black culture in the U.S. that many Americans claim. 

Clarence, Employment Manager: The misconception is that Africans are the same as African Americans because we share the same skin tone. It’s not a bad thing; we have a difference in culture and values, just as any Caucasian American compared to any European with the same features and skin tone.  I’ve talked with many African immigrants and African friends over the past 30 years, and I don’t take it personally.  It’s the opportunity for us to learn and celebrate each other.  We know that there is a difference, and we are all proud of who we are and where we were born and raised.  It would be refreshing and rewarding to see people who don’t understand that there is a difference take action for themselves and sign up for a cultural sensitivity course covering ethnicities worldwide.     

Lydia, Volunteer Coordinator: America is a nation of immigrants. Immigrants have enriched American culture and continue to push past barriers that have been set up against them. Despite the challenges, Black immigrants continue to shape history with educational achievements and high participation rates in the workforce. This Black history month, we celebrate the success of Black immigrants and thank them for their contribution to our past history and history in the making. 

Yusri, Mahasin, Clarence and Lydia—thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on Black history and for all that you do to help us empower the local church to serve the most vulnerable.  

If you want to help them welcome our newest neighbors to Memphis, join our team, whether it be as a staff member, an intern or a volunteer!  

Some names have been abbreviated for privacy.

From a young age, Mary has been fascinated by travel and other cultures. 

“I enjoy exciting food and getting to visit other places, and so, being able to build a relationship with people who are different from me, in my own city is really exciting,” she said. 

When she moved back to Memphis and saw World Relief Memphis’ Youth Mentoring Program, it only seemed fitting that she apply.  

Supporting youth

“I know that the transition from adolescence to adulthood is a tricky one in the best circumstances. I didn’t have all the same supports as my peers when I was figuring out college and careers, so I had to learn a lot on my own,” Mary explained. “One advantage I had, was being able to learn these skills in a familiar language and culture.” 

Having learned those things on her own, she decided to pass it on to others in her community who might also need help. Earlier this year, she was paired with A, a high school senior who will be the first in her family to attend college and was resettled through World Relief Memphis five years ago. 

“We’ve been able to talk in general terms about budgeting and saving up money, and how we’re going to spend money and things like that,” Mary said. “I’ve been able to share tips and tricks, like where to rent or sell textbooks. I’ve also been able to talk through what she wants in a church since she will be doing that search on her own as an adult in another state.” 

Encouraging dreams

More importantly, however, Mary has been able to encourage A to pursue her dreams without fear of failure based on her own experiences in the past, and she has made a new friend along the way.  

“I want to be a mentor so that I can share the skills I’ve learned with others. I want to be an encouragement as my mentee takes big steps and tries new things,” she said. “I also want to be her friend because she is fun and watching her try new things (like her first Starbucks – a caramel frappe) is delightful!” 

Even though their time as mentor and mentee is coming to an end, Mary plans to remain in touch with A as she begins college at Oakwood University this fall. At the same time, Mary will begin leading World Relief Memphis’ Resiliency Program, which empowers women by providing them with the hard and soft skills necessary to enter the job market. 

Serving others

Regardless of how she’s giving her time, Mary’s goal remains the same: to care for the stranger among us. She may not be working directly in the missions field, but she is still able to serve people with the love of Christ. 

“Jesus made all people, and Jesus cares for all people,” Mary said. “The good news is not just for one geopolitical group, one ethnic group . . . it’s for the whole world. 

For her, the question then became how to live out her faith in a city with over a hundred nationalities. And one relationship at a time, Mary is doing just that, whether it be as a mentor or sewing instructor or just a friend. 

“Language and cultural barriers should not be a fear,” Mary said when asked about advice for volunteers. “I get to learn about my mentee and her life just as much as I get to share about mine! There is a need for friends, mentors and navigation aids! Be brave! Try new things!” 

Mary, thank you for your dedication to our neighbors! If you want to make a difference and invest in the lives of others like Mary has, join us as a conversation partner, a youth mentor, as a group for a Good Neighbor Team and more. 

For privacy purposes, some names have been shortened.

Zooming In

Ten months ago, Jordan was preparing to meet his 16-year-old mentee and his family for the very first time over Zoom. Unsure of what to expect, he joined the call and listened as our Youth Mentoring Program Coordinator translated and relayed the family’s hopes for the mentorship.

“After that first meeting, it kind of opened it up and we had to earn each other’s trust,” said Jordan, who is a third-year medical student. “Over the course of the year, we’ve done that. He’s really opened up to me a lot more.”

As Jordan and his mentee, J, began to get to know one another over a game of twenty questions in their first one-on-one session, they were able to connect and build a relationship that would ultimately lead to a change for the better in both their lives.

“I found out he’s interested in videogames and computer science or coding,” he explained. “I tried to key in on that.”

Zeroing In

With the introductions out of the way, Jordan began working on the goals that his mentee’s mother had laid out for them in their first meeting: community and academics.

“She wanted to see him make more friends or be able to talk to people,” he said. “We’ve worked on that a lot this year, and his mom said she’s seen a big change in that.” 

Each week, Jordan would give J a small task, such as introducing himself to a classmate. Over time, the little moments began to build upon one another until J had a community of friends both in and outside of school. Now, he’s in a group chat with friends, chatting about videogames and sending GIFs to one another.

At the same time, Jordan and J were also working on improving his grades in preparation for college.

“Junior and senior year are important,” Jordan explained to J during their time together one day. “You want to have a good GPA if you’re going to college.”

Since then, J’s grades have been steadily improving to the point where he proudly showed off his report card—full of straight As—to Jordan on one of their calls.

Zooming Out

Soon, Jordan and J’s time together as mentee and mentor in our Youth Mentoring Program will come to an end, but Jordan doesn’t plan on stopping there.

“When I signed up, I committed to at least a year, but I want to keep this thing going because I want to see where he goes,” said Jordan, who grew up serving others overseas and in the Knoxville area. “The most important part of life is connecting with other people and trying to leave a positive impact on other people.”

Because of this, Jordan aims to continue meeting with J on a bi-weekly basis for as long as he is willing. For him, he feels as if he has learned as much as J during their time together.

“Knowing that we’re surrounded by people such different experiences is a big learning curve for me,” he said. “He’s had a very positive effect on me and how I view things.”

With that in mind, Jordan encourages future mentors to be open when meeting their mentees and to be prepared to get to know them and their culture.

“It’s really important to lay the groundwork at the beginning and get a good foundation on your relationship—who they are, where they come from, their whole story,” Jordan encouraged. “It helped establish trust in a relationship that we can build on better.”

Together, Jordan and J are making strides in their community, building welcome and relationships with each other and those around them.

Jordan, thank you for all that you do and for sharing your experience with us.

Do you want to invest in refugee and immigrant youth in Memphis like Jordan? Join us as a youth mentor this year as we launch our boys’ group in February.