Love Riverside 2024: Community & Culture
At HMI, we are committed to empowering and uplifting our local community, and we recently had the pleasure of hosting two impactful events as part of the #LoveRiverside Serve Days. These projects brought together volunteers and community members to make a tangible difference, fostering connections and creating welcoming spaces for our refugee learners. Here's a look at what we accomplished together!
Project 1: ESL Classroom Revitalization
On the first day of our Serve Days, volunteers came together to refresh our ESL classrooms, where refugees from Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Guatemala work toward building brighter futures. These classrooms, especially crucial for women experiencing their first educational opportunities, are spaces for growth, learning, and community-building.
Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to clean, paint, and organize, creating a more vibrant and welcoming environment. Two of our classroom walls got a fresh coat of paint, giving the space a new life. Side by side with our students, volunteers helped sort donations and organize materials to make the learning experience even more supportive and accessible.
Project 2: Cultural Exchange Day
The second day of our Love Riverside projects focused on deepening connections through cultural exchange. This family-friendly event brought volunteers and refugee families together for interactive activities centered on hygiene, nutrition, kindness, education, and storytelling.
One of the highlights of the day was reading time with the children. Volunteers read storybooks and then led thoughtful discussions about the stories. Sitting around a table outdoors, volunteers asked the kids questions about what they had read, rewarding correct answers with small Lego gifts. The activity turned into a lively and engaging experience as children eagerly participated, showing how much they had listened and understood. They gave insightful responses like, "The animal was scared," explaining their reactions in the stories—a testament to how involved they were.
Afterward, everyone enjoyed a delicious Afghan meal, where volunteers and families mingled, and the kids had fun playing in the playground. The day was filled with warmth, connection, and mutual learning, leaving a lasting impact on everyone involved.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We are incredibly thankful for the many volunteers who showed up and made these events so impactful. Whether you helped read stories to children, connected with women from our Community ESL Program, or lent a hand painting and organizing, your contributions were invaluable.
Partnering with Love Riverside for these Serve Days was an amazing experience, and we are proud to have strengthened ties with so many new faces across our community. Together, we are building a more inclusive and welcoming Riverside, one project at a time.
If you missed these events but want to get involved in future opportunities, stay tuned! Our community thrives because of passionate people like you who believe in making a difference.
For more information on upcoming events or how you can help, contact Teresa at teresahhc@hmir.org.
Let’s continue to work together to create positive change and build a stronger, more connected Riverside! ❤️