Hispanic Ministries

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OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUTURO LATINO GRANT AWARDED TO MISSOURI RIVER DISTRICT HISPANIC MINISTRIES

The Missouri River District Hispanic Ministries, directed by Pastor Patty Gandarilla, was awarded a grant of $15,000.00 from the Omaha Community Foundation's Futuro Latino Fund, at a presentation ceremony on October 10, 2011. The United Methodist Hispanic Community Center in South Omaha was recognized for its outstanding development of Hispanic leaders in the community and educational opportunities made available, such as ESL classes, a type of GED program offered in Spanish in connection with the Mexican Consulate and youth after-school and summer programming.  Pastor Patty Gandarilla gratefully thanked the Foundation and stated:  "The grant will help further develop the after-school program with the addition of a tutoring program with a bi-lingual staff teacher.  The Community Center offers a safe, structured environment for all the children in the community".    

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JFON - JUSTICE FOR OUR NEIGHBORS OF NEBRASKA

On behalf of the Justice For Our Neighbors of Nebraska (JFON-NE) staff and Board of Directors, I would like to sincerely thank each of our volunteers from the bottom of my heart.  Their hard work and dedication has helped JFON-NE welcome immigrants into our communities since 1999. JFON-NE is a faith driven organization that is affiliated to the United Methodist Committee On Relief (UMCOR).

JFON-NE's volunteers have donated more than $35,000 in volunteer hours this year. Volunteers help JFON-NE in many different ways. At our monthly immigration legal clinics volunteers conduct the initial intake interviews, they help provide food and hospitality to our clients as well as other volunteers. Volunteers also help out at our office in Omaha by assisting our staff with case management activities, cleaning, maintenance, and IT needs, among other things.

Luke 12:48 says "to everyone whom much is given, much will be expected." At JFON-NE we are lucky and honored to have the opportunity to help those who are most in need gain access to our complicated justice system. The entire staff of JFON-NE has been lucky to have received many gifts and blessings in our lives. Sharing those gifts and blessings with our new neighbors is the least we can do.

JFON-NE's mision is to welcome immigrants into our communities by providing free high-quality immigration legal services, education and advocacy. Achieving the goals set out on our ministry's mission would be virtually impossible without the help of our volunteers. JFON-NE's volunteers come from local United Methodist Churches as well as other denominations and varied walks of life. Staff, volunteers, and clients come together for our monthly legal clinics in Omaha and Columbus. For JFON-NE staff, attending legal clinics is the highlight of each month. It is truly energizing, inspiring and rewarding to work side by side with our volunteers. The JFON-NE Regional Attorney often shares news and information about immigration law with our volunteers and friends. However, learning is always a two ways street and I can assure you that we always learn just as much from our volunteers and our clients as we do from our esteemed Regional Attorney.

The wonderful work performed by JFON-NE makes a real difference in our clients' lives, and in the lives of their families and communities. Often overlooked is the difference that JFON-NE makes in the lives of our staff and volunteers as well. We all walk out of every monthly clinic better people. JFON-NE volunteers should be thanked, not only for the hard work and dedication, but also for sharing their life experiences and talents with other volunteers, staff, and clients. Year to date, JFON-NE has helped over 500 individuals by providing free immigration legal services, education, and advocacy. Without our volunteers, this would not have been possible.

Justice for our Neighbors is under the auspices of the conference Risk-Taking Mission and Justice Ministries Team and is supported through Mission Share dollars. Please visit www.jfon-ne.org to learn more about immigration, JFON-NE, or to sign-up for our monthly newsletter.  Consider joining us as a volunteer at one of our monthly immigration legal clinics or at our office in Omaha. Also please consider making a donation; JFON-NE's Advance Number is 895 or you may send us a check directly to 2414 "E" Street, Omaha, NE 68107.

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PLAZA COMUNITARIA

The Consulate of Mexico in Omaha, Nebraska has the honor to congratulate the United Methodist Church for the opeining of the Plaza Comunitaria "Esperanza de Vida" on July 15th, 2009 in Omaha, Nebraska.  This plaza is the first one in the state of Nebraska and an example for other institutions to follow this noble education project and multiply its benefits among the Hispanic community.
The purpose of Plazas Comunitarias is to benefit those Mexican migrants living in Iowa and Nebraska willing to learn how to read and write in Spanish, conclude their elementary, middle and high school education to obtain their diplomas, improve their education skills for their job and become a better example for their children.
For additional information about the Plaza, please contact the United Methodist Hispanic Community Center, 1945 Vinton St., Omaha, NE  (402)932-1229

ESPERANZA DE VIDA



For information call:  402.932-1229

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Class at the Community Center
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CENTER

1945 VINTON ST., OMAHA, NE
402-932-1229

     Mi Casa Es Tu Casa calls people throughout Latin America and the United States into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

     By giving churches the process and methods, the essential task of evangelsim is made relevant as churches are equipped to become faithful in fulfilling God's vision.

     Mi Casa Es Tu Casa develops a community of faith to reach out to Spanish speaking people.  With creative and effective strategies in evangelism, discipleship and Christian humanitarian efforts, churches are enabled to be effective in the community around them.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Patricia Gandarilla
2665 Farnam Street  Suite 102
Omaha, NE  68131
(402) 898-9862
pgandar@umcneb.org