Drive Along With Us

December 2020
Global Friends Coalition: Educate, Embrace, Empower

View this email in your browser

Studying Citizenship materials in a Global Friends Coalition class

(Photo credit: Erin Philips / Soulshine Photography)

What are your expectations?

Dear <<First Name>>,

I am finding that with Covid-19, I can't quite figure out what to expect. The Thanksgiving holiday, a time when families gather, was not quite the same this year. Expectations, what we believe will happen, sometimes don't occur.

I have gotten to know Rhonda (I’m not using her real name) over the years. One day this fall, Rhonda’s car stopped working as she was driving; fortunately, she was able to pull over on the side of the road before it completely stopped. The only option was to get it towed. It was not repairable. The timing was not good. Just when it felt like things were falling into place: school was starting for her oldest, her youngest had been admitted to Early Headstart, she had a job—and now no car.

I did something I don’t usually do: I posted what had happened on my personal Facebook page as I was overwhelmed. I did not expect the outpouring of support. A kind and generous person offered her money to purchase a different car and another person offered to give her a car for about the same amount. Others sent in money to purchase gas. When I took Rhonda to see the car, I could tell that she was visibly upset, even fearful. She didn’t want to get in the car. The owner and I encouraged her to try sitting in the car, but that is all she would do. She would not drive it.

I was stunned—we said, “thank you” to the person offering the car and left. That next weekend, I ran into a friend, originally from Tajikistan, who told me that when she first moved to the U.S. she had never driven a car and it took her some time to get comfortable driving. The only car she could drive was the car she first got when she moved here. She was too afraid to try any other car. She totally related to this woman’s fear. This was good for me to hear—it made me stop and think.

I had to let go of my expectations. Rhonda used the money from the generous donor, and she had her brother help her find a car. It was more expensive than I would have recommended ,as it means she has car payments, but she is comfortable driving it. I needed to let her be in the “driver’s seat.”

Drive along with us and give a gift to Global Friends Coalition. Your support educates, empowers, and embraces New Americans in Greater Grand Forks. Consider this: $15.00 purchases a citizenship book like the one in the photo above, $25.00 covers the cost of a youth activity sponsored by Global Friends, and $50.00 helps with the costs associated with a driving lesson. Every gift matters. And, all donors who give $30.00 or above, will be given the opportunity for a Soup in the Studio bowl.

In friendship,
.

Cynthia H. Shabb
Executive Director

PS: Rhonda is working and just this week she asked me about working towards citizenship!

Anyone who gives a gift of $30.00 or more, will be given the opportunity for a Soup in the Studio bowl! Give NOW!

Global Friends Events & Activities

Global Friends Beginner & Advanced US Citizenship Class
Call 701-330-0765 if you want to participate in these citizenship classes over the Zoom app. You must be able to access the internet to participate in either class. For the advanced class, you must be able to read, write, and speak English. This class moves quickly.

Looking for Individual Instruction or Know Someone Who Is?
We have volunteers who are ready to help with remote English instruction. We will work with both students and volunteers to find a time that works. Email info@gfcoalition.org or call 701-330-0765 to get connected.

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

Website