Lending a hand to someone is a good feeling. Maybe you helped with something as simple as carrying a bunch of sacks or boxes from the car to the church. Maybe you said “yes” when asked to help at VBS or to be on a committee renovating the kitchen. Lending a hand can be a small or a large gesture, but it’s a way to feel good and to accomplish a task, a way to help another person and to show that you care.
Here at Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors we need you to lend a hand to help us meet an important financial goal. The National Justice for Our Neighbors office has announced a $5,000 matching grant beginning on July 1. Our financial health depends in a large part on the United Methodist Churches and members right here in Iowa. If you haven’t donated in a while, here is a good reason to get that donation on the way to us.
Send a tax deductible contribution to Iowa Justice for Our Neighbors
PO Box 41006 Des Moines 50311
Or contribute through your church using the Iowa Advance Special #375.
You won’t only be lending a hand to this mission of the Iowa Annual Conference. You’ll be lending a hand to some of our new neighbors like
Antonio from Chiapas, Mexico, who can obtain a work permit and continue his education at the local community college because he was approved for DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, after Brynne collaborated at a DACA legal clinic at Grace UMC in Des Moines.
María Elena who has left an abusive partner and found a stable job to support her two children while she studies ESL Laura helped her navigate the multiple steps of Violence Against Women Act’s provisions for a successful result.
Hawa who can bring her adult children from a refugee camp in Kenya after three years of separation because Ann found a translator, helped with lengthy and complex forms and made phone calls to Kenya for needed documents.
Erica who set out on her own from Honduras to escape violence and find the chance to go to school at the home of a cousin in Iowa. She is now hopeful of legalization through SIJS, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, because April took the time to hear her story and help her write it clearly and in detail, preparing her for her day in court when April will be by her side before the judge.
Enrique who fled El Salvador after the third attempt on his life by local gang members trying to extort money from him as he operated a mototaxi to help feed his family. Enrique’s asylum hearing resulted in a successful outcome because Ann represented him in immigration court in Kansas City.
Contact us for a speaker at your church or more detailed information on our work. Read more client stories at www.iaumc.org/jfon “Our Clients’ Stories”. Check our volunteer opportunities.
We don’t just thank you, so do our clients from over 70 countries who visit JFON legal clinics in six United Methodist Churches all year long.