Arabic Outreach Center Thanks Plymouth
During the week of March 3, the recipients of the Plymouth 2024 Christmas Special Offering received their gifts. One of the recipients this year is the Arabic Outreach Center (AOC). Upon receipt of the Plymouth gift, AOC sent a note of appreciation. You can read it below:
The Arabic Outreach Center offers our sincere gratitude to you all for your generous gift from the Plymouth Christmas Offering. We so appreciate your financial support and your belief in our mission to help Arabic-speaking refugees and immigrants who are struggling in our community. Your gift is far beyond the amount we had requested for our Transportation Assistance Program, so we have created a plan to support other aspects of our outreach to those in need.
In your email dated December 1, you mentioned that additional funds would be provided to help “at risk” children, so we focused particularly in that area as we planned our budget. Here is a breakdown of how we intend to use your generous gift:
Provide transportation and emergency transportation as needed. This covers gas expenses by our staff, bus passes for clients, and gas cards for clients who own a vehicle.
Provide for the needs of the weekly Women’s Group: sewing instruction, childcare and snacks, plus sewing machines and sewing accessories. By participating in the Women’s Group, refugee women learn to sew, which is a valuable skill both in the home and in finding employment. The women also learn how to navigate life in America, and the children benefit from the fellowship in a loving and secure environment.
Provide supplemental funds for college/post-secondary students who are children of Arabic-speaking refugees and immigrants. Currently, we have identified 14 youth who are either in college or plan to attend in the fall.
Provide emergency funding for rental assistance for new refugee families. Most of the individuals and families we serve come from Sudan, where a horrific humanitarian crisis continues to unfold. Those living here in Des Moines have escaped the war, famine, and violence in their homeland, but adjusting to life in America can be very difficult.
With your generous gift, we will be able to touch the lives of a far greater number of people – both adults and children – than ever before. Thank you again for your support.
We are working with AOC to find a Sunday this fall where they can speak at Forum and share more about their