Blog Post
A DEEP SENSE OF FAMILY
Carlos, Angelica, and Saul have called the Garnet neighborhood home for most of their lives. As these three siblings started attending Solidarity's Teen Center and Merge youth church, they quickly became an influential part of the community. Their joy, positivity, and willingness to lead at every given opportunity was contagious. In 2016, the three siblings attended the Oaks Winter Camp together and, for the first time, experienced the truth and love of Jesus as a family.The most meaningful part for them was that it was not simply an individual experience, but one that grew them closer as brothers and sister. The Oaks was a perfect place for them to connect with other students from Garnet and Maple neighborhoods through adventure and risk, tying them to a new family.
Because of the Oaks, all three siblings committed to being a part of the IMPACT leadership development program. They receive weekly mentoring and discipleship centered around growing their leadership and faith. Even though camp was just one weekend, the experience created a lasting effect for their family and community.
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER
Martha & the Maple team design a more Kingdom-beneficial way to run the neighborhood Christmas store.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with one another is one of the best ways to understanding someone's experience. It takes a change of position, an intentional move from serving - from a place of privilege “above” down to someone who is “below” - to a position of journeying with another.
SOLID ENTERPRISES: A MISSING PIECE
There was something missing. Solidarity has been asking the question, "What does true City Transformation look like?"
For over a decade, the non-profit has been doing community development in the Garnet and Maple neighborhoods. By way of after school programs, teen centers, IMPACT, & Merge, Solidarity has been making significant strides in the areas of education, leadership, and discipleship. When systemic issues created barriers to God’s calling for His children within the neighborhoods, Solidarity started working in areas of justice.
Yet, something was still missing.
A HOPE FOR CAMINO
Camino Immigration Services joins in with the transformation of their city by choosing to see God's dignity in those they journey with.
No one could have guessed what God had in store for Solidarity's Camino Immigration Services. In the past year, Camino has gone from one director, Bethany Anderson, to a team of four, who see clients five days a week. In first months, they were only proficient in two immigration processes. Now, the team is confidently offering assistance for the majority of all immigration processes.
HOW SABBATICAL SAVED SOLIDARITY
One wouldn't think that a paid week off of work would be something that people shied away from, but the staff at Solidarity had an unknown identity issue.
The staff was made up of activators. In a world of Marys and Marthas, Solidarity was staffed entirely with Marthas, overly worried about doing things for Jesus. Many of the staff found their identity, value, and worth in what they did or could accomplish.