I have been blessed with the privilege to teach English to the refugees for the past three years. They come from various backgrounds but they all have one need: to learn English and to find a job in America. Many of them have attended other English schools and as soon as they find our school they see something different. The students in our school feel that we care and, as a Christian organization, provide the best service. One day I asked my students a question: "What was the most wonderful thing that happened to you?" One of them said,"The most wonderful thing that happened to me was when I met the Pastor''s wife in this church." We take them on field trips to the library, the zoo, and the aquarium. We provide gifts for each of their family member for Christmas. They feel blessed and cared for.
Love what this non-profit is doing in our community! They are giving away over 15,000 pounds of food every week to over 700 families. They also run a job training thrift store and English language school for refugees.
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I really appreciate what this agency is doing for the community and for refugees! They are giving away close to 10,000 lbs of food each week to help alieviate hunger and operating a English language class to help refugees learn language skills necessary to survive in their new country.
Well done ! Keep it up!
Friendships for Hope has helped hundreds of families recently out of refugee camps in Africa and the Middle East to get a fresh start in life here in southern California.
I was raised thinking people left their homes and moved far away to help in other countries, we called mission fields. Friendships For Hope has made me realize that mission fields are not far away, but next door to us, in our own communities. They are doing a wonderful job, providing for the needs of others.
To be kind is not a weakness. They help people without questioning. As long as you are in need they doors are widely open. The special help that they have is emotional support . Friendly service and prayers is what you get from them.
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Friendship for Hope provides assistance by giving food and clothing to individuals that are struggling to provide adequately for their families. F.F.H strives to offer assistance in any area that is needed. There motto is "What ever the need, we will provide help"
F.F.H has helped thousands of people , and continues to offer service to everyone that comes to them seeking assistance.
Emma
Powerful teaching in the midst of captivating personal testimonies! Inspiring read--shows a portion of the phenomenal work being done by Friendships for Hope.
Periodically I have counseled Friendships for Hope and I probably received a greater benefit than they because I was so inspired on what they did for refugees with limited resources but a great heart. I was a refugee and could relate, and am grateful for what they are doing in providing anything from emotional and spiritual help to tangible items. Bless them! Dr. Lilya Wagner
I left my country since 2005 escaping the rebels who killed some members of my family with knives, machetes and stole my entire fortune.
With despair I took refuge in Kenya where I was relocated to the United States of America.
Father of 8, life was nit easy in USA.
By surprise of God we met Pastors Will James at the National City Adventist Church. In the fellowship friendship , with my family, we have integrated into the friendship and we receive food and clothing for free. We feel like a family, and my children are studying at Adventist school with the help of frienship deprivation. There I learned to speak and write English as my second language. without any problem. Since then, I have been working as a volunteer at the thrift store to ensure the continuity of this initiative which is beneficial to refugees and the underprivileged.
No discrimination and everything is settled as in family.
May God protect and bless the initiators of this project.
Jean-Marie Katula
Friendships for Hope is a powerhouse in the San Diego area. They have helped hundreds of refugees get their footing after living lives of uncertainty and fear. I remember visiting their facility one day and seeing their English language classes in session. It was awesome to watch the people's faces light up as they learned new words that were literally opening doors for them to establish a better futures. I am a fan of everything they do!
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This is one of the best grass roots non-profit entities I have come across. They provide so many useful services to the recipients and make every effort to help them get on their feet and established. I am especially impressed with the wide spectrum of cultures that they deal with and provide resources for. I can't imagine the San Diego area without their presence.
I help with the Christmas project. Friendships For Hope provided presents for over 100 individuals. And large food boxes for 40 families.
It is very rewarding to hear the thanks and see the smiles.
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I love what FFH is doing for our community and am privileged to serve on their board and volunteer my time with them as they assist the community and refugees in San Diego.
This a great organization with a truly caring Staff and leadership. I personally met 5 refugee Families that have and continue to receive help from Friendships for Hope organization and that are now feeling at Home here in the USA thanks Mr. Will and Peggy James assistance with english language , financial responsability, transportation, food assistance.
I have had the opportunity to work with Friendship For Hope and it is truly amazing what this nonprofit organization does. I work in the healthcare industry in the field of Human Resources. In my role, I had the opportunity to offer employment to some of the clients of Friendships For Hope. What this organization does is amazing, they are dedicated to guiding and helping those in needs find a better live. I have witnessed the dedication and humbleness of those that work for this organization and the clients reach goals to help themselves and their families.
I have had the opportunity to tour the facility and see the work they do. So many lives of refugees and struggling families in the community are being helped by them. I referred several to their services and everyone has always been treated well and found the experience helpful.
This is a unique organization. They help refugees assimilate into a new country. Many of the refugees are not prepared to face the challenges before them. Personal attention is given so refugees are not left on their own. They are transported to medical appointments, taught how to ride public transportation, given clothes, and food. In addition classes are provided free to help them learn English. The staff help them fill out forms and interpret in many languages. They help also in providing furniture, bedding, food, soap, laundry supplies, diapers, and dishes. They teach personal hygiene and help them through the loss of family. They provide a huge garden where they can grow food which they are accustomed to. Job placement is a vital area where they help individuals find jobs in the community.
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I have been involved with this program from the beginning and find it to be a very important part in assimilating refugees. This program not only teaches them English but also aids them in finding jobs. The refugees are surrounded by caring individuals who spend many hours taking them to appointments, filling out paperwork, and providing food and clothing.
Working with Friendships for Hope is one of the great joys I have in my life. Just seeing the difference this organization makes in the lives of refugees and community members is very spiritually uplifting. Friendships for Hope is a great asset to the community.
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I have worked with Friendships for Hope as a bus driver for the refugees for various occasions and also in the community services center helping hand out food and clothing and assisting at the semiannual rummage sales. Friendships for Hope is a great asset to the community. They help refugees learn English, find jobs, and are there to help the refugees in other times of need.
I give Friendships For Hope the highest score possible. As our business is right across the street from them we get to see their work with refugees on a day to day basis. We see the refugees growing their own gardens, and they are provided with classes to learn English as a second language; they are given practical job skills along with the necessary knowledge to navigate in this, a culture very different from their own. Friendships for Hope provides an invaluable service in our community towards a smooth transition of individuals and families as productive members in society, having enabled them to contribute in a positive manner.
Friendships For Hope also distributes food for hundreds of families in the community on a weekly basis. Friendships For Hope is well rounded in its mission, making a difference in the lives of many--a difference that is positive and lasting. It is with pleasure that we give a well deserved 5 star rating.
This refugee ministry has done so much for our community. Not only does it provide opportunities for the large population of refugees here in San Diego, but it also gives community, fellowship, and friendships that become like family.
I have seen the culture of the church which runs this organization change over the decades, including the development of this wonderful ministry. Their work not only helps the recipients, but also those who serve. Good souls, tireless and open-hearted. I'm proud to see what they are accomplishing to better the lives of others, and to breathe life and bring hope into the community.
The Friendship for Hope ministry has played s helpful role in helping me and my family adapt quickly to life here in America. Through the program we have received food, education and even volunteering opportunities. Most importantly, the program has helped us feel welcomed and cared for by the community around us. To me personally, Friendship for Hope has helped me in improving my social relationships with others by giving me the opportunity to volunteer at the paradise valley thrift store. Friendship for Hope to me, is more than just an organization. It is my second family, and no words can explain the impact that Friendship for Hope has had on my life and my transition from my homeland Africa to America.
"Friendships For Hope" is a fantastic organization. Pastor Will and his congregation members always come when we call them and they all work together to pick up our donation. They are so efficient and leave the site tidy. More amazing is the amount of needy people they help in our city by using our donation to support the less fortunate homeless and refugees. They repair and resell items in their thrift store to feed the hungry. They give the "needy" items they need ... clothing, household items and food. It's amazing to review all the services they provide to those less fortunate in San Diego! They teach refugees English so they have the tools they need to be more successful in our community. Their efforts in 2016 resulted in close to $1 Million dollars of goods given. We will always contribute to Friendships For Hope and are so proud to be associated with them! They are an amazing group of caring volunteers!
Katula's Family
Katula's Family
My family and I came to the US after a thorny journey in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since 2010, we live in California. We spoke French and Kiswahili. The English language was unknown to us for our integration. Fortunately for us we met Pastor James Will and his wife Pegguy Will who unconditionally welcomed us into their language school and my wife and I and had learned English.
Following this learning, we communicate and write without difficulty and this allowed us to look for work.
We are grateful to all those who have contributed to our development with the support of our Adventist brothers who care for the refugees.
As a former refugee and immigrant, I am so pleased to see an Adventist Church engaged in helping people--people like me and my family long ago. Having visited several times, I've seen firsthand how much of a difference Friendships for Hope for so many, like giving them a start in their life in the U.S., something which my family needed. I wish more organizations and churches would use this program as their model! Dr. Lilya Wagner
A wonderful program that helps refugees from all backgrounds not only learn English but get integrated into the community. When volunteering, one does not simply feel like they are with colleagues, but rather with a community family.
Love and respect flourish here. It's been so rewarding to watch refugees learn and grow and become independent, several becoming U.S. citizens.
Excellent, free ESL teaching provided in a friendly atmosphere ... but they go beyond this to address individual problems and help new refugees settle into their new community. These folks do great work!
