Supporting African Asylum Seekers: How You Can Help Today

Over 1,000 African asylum seekers have recently relocated to Philadelphia, straining local community resources. St. Mary's Refugee Committee has been called upon to assist, and Liberti is asking for volunteers to support the areas listed below. 

Donations & Financial Support

The African Family Health Organization (https://afaho.org/ ) requires funds to bolster their food bank, specifically for $10.00 bags of fresh produce. They currently distribute 100 bags biweekly but aim to meet the demand for 175. Additionally, they provide rent assistance. Donations are tax-deductible; checks payable to "African Family Health Organization" can be sent to AFHO at 5400 Grays Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143.

Clothing, Food, and Toiletry Donations

They welcome donations of clothing, non-perishable food items and toiletries such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant. Collection boxes will be placed in the Fellowship Hall for the next few weeks. Please contribute whatever you can.

Volunteer ESL Instructors

Urgent need exists for ESL teachers, either in-person at the agency in Southwest Philadelphia or via Zoom.

Get Involved

Your assistance can make a tangible difference in the lives of those seeking refuge in our community. Please consider contributing today. Specifically, we need drivers to transport collected items to Philadelphia. For inquiries or to volunteer, please contact Dave Hartsfield at davehartsfield@gmail.com.

Aquinas Center

Aquinas Center is located in South Philadelphia and serves as a safe, welcoming place where neighbors and visitors can experience radical hospitality, where each person finds a seat at the table, and where beauty and belonging prevail. English classes, legal services, afterschool programs, youth development, and advocacy programs equip immigrant and refugee neighbors with resources they need to navigate life in Philly. Liberti and Aquinas Center collaborate together on Easter Outreach, community festivals, fundraisers, and in other ways that foster community and mutuality.
1700 Fernon Street (17th Street between Tasker and Morris Streets)

If you would like to learn more or get involved email Mary Soldano.

Small Fry

Every Saturday at 11:00 AM, Volunteers teach kids and their families in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood to cook and prepare healthy and affordable snacks and meals on a low-income budget.

For more information, please contact Alissa Merlino. 
Click here to sign up!

AlphaCare  

AlphaCare - located at 3809 Lancaster Ave. AlphaCare is a Christian non-profit organization that provides support and services to women of all backgrounds with unexpected pregnancies. AlphaCare also educates the local community concerning the needs of pregnant women, provides abortion after-care, and grief support after miscarriage. 

For more information, please contact Lizzy Harrop.

YoungLives

Club meetings are held at the First Presbyterian Church, 113 E. Airy St., Norristown, PA, on the 2nd Thursday of every month. Bible study is the first and third Thursday of each month - same location. YoungLives is a ministry dedicated to loving teenagers facing situations of unplanned motherhood. YoungLives connects teen moms with mentors, as well as people who can make meals, and donate diapers and wipes. 

For more information, please contact Kristland Damazo. 

Emmanuel  

17th & Sansom Sts., Every Saturday from 10:00 AM - 2:30PM. Liberti partners with First Baptist Church to reach out to our homeless friends and neighbors in Center City. We cook, serve and eat a meal together. We provide a reflection on a Scripture passage and seek to offer time to build relationships and relax in a safe environment. For more information, please email Emmanuel here!
Click here to sign up for a volunteer shift.

The Bethesda Project

A community of prayer, reflection, and action that responds to the call to serve the abandoned poor.

Small Things Philly

Provides food and other household goods for various local churches and social organizations to distribute to those experiencing food insecurity within the Greater Philadelphia area. It is a monumental task in that they provide 160,000 pounds of food each week. Volunteers are needed to help pack these boxes on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings. Detailed information can be found at: smallthingsphilly.org or you can contact Jonna McDougall.

Eastern University Prison Education Program

John Fantuzzo came and spoke to our congregation on 10/30 and shared some helpful resources to get involved with the Prison Education Program at Eastern University. If you would like to find out more ways you can get involved please fill out this form here. You can also donate directly to the program by visiting their website here.

ukraine resources

Kat Kuciemba, a Ukrainian Christian, came and spoke to our congregation on 10/16 and shared some helpful resources to get involved and help aid the afflicted in Ukraine as the war continues on:

• Gospel to Eastern Ukraine

• Missionary arm of the PCA

• Supporting refugees in PA

  • Artem - refugee that came with Kat Kucicemba. If you would like to help Artem you can send a check to Providence PCA of Quakertown, with a memo, Artem.

  • Ukrainian Community in Philadelphia

If you have any additional questions or concerns, feel free to reach out to Kat Kuciemba directly at jarofclay6@gmail.com.