by Kristen Allen, Director of Community Development
Exciting things continue to unfold in Mission Adelante’s Community Development Initiatives as our new "Adelante Business Coaching" ramps up for launch. Twenty years ago many were convinced that our community was dying, and studies predicted that by the year 2000 our neighborhood would be a ghost town. Driving around Mission Adelante, it is evident that this prediction was false: the community is being revitalized by immigrant families and small businesses. According to the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners, Latino owned businesses brought in $1.3 billion in receipts in the state of Kansas. Mission Adelante is excited to add fuel to this fire as we ask God to use business to transform individual lives as well as our entire community.
Exciting things continue to unfold in Mission Adelante’s Community Development Initiatives as our new "Adelante Business Coaching" ramps up for launch. Twenty years ago many were convinced that our community was dying, and studies predicted that by the year 2000 our neighborhood would be a ghost town. Driving around Mission Adelante, it is evident that this prediction was false: the community is being revitalized by immigrant families and small businesses. According to the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Business Owners, Latino owned businesses brought in $1.3 billion in receipts in the state of Kansas. Mission Adelante is excited to add fuel to this fire as we ask God to use business to transform individual lives as well as our entire community.
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| Bhutanese refugees opened a grocery in KCK. |
One
of the core values for Adelante Business Coaching is the belief
that work is a redemptive activity that God designed for man to enjoy
from the beginning of creation. Work promotes dignity, contributes to
the broader needs of our community, and improves
an individual’s or a family’s financial situation. Our immigrant and
refugee friends come with a diverse array of business ideas, skills,
experiences, and a strong desire to succeed. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles for newcomers who want to open businesses, and instead, they are often
stuck working unskilled, entry-level, low-paying positions that are far away and don’t provide a sense of dignity or purpose.
What
if we prayed with our immigrant and refugee neighbors, helped break
down cultural barriers, and instead of looking at their lack of US
business experience, we equipped them to become business owners making an
impact in the community and for the Kingdom? We believe we would start to
see individual and community transformation.
We
are excited for where we feel God is leading us. As we launch Adelante Business Coaching, we want to partner with others who
feel God’s calling to use their business or their business expertise as an avenue for ministry. Next month we are
bringing Rudy Carrasco from Partners Worldwide to lead a workshop to help us and our partners further explore business as mission.
Save the date for Saturday, July 20th from 8:30 a.m. -11:00 a.m. so you can join
us for a workshop on how fostering entrepreneurship can transform lives
and communities in under-resourced areas. Rudy Carrasco will lead us on the
exploration of a philosophy for job creation that includes business as
mission, collaboration, business training, business mentorship, and
advocacy. He will share working models for ending poverty through job
creation in the United States and the potential for community
transformation right here in Kansas City, Kansas.
"Ignite 2013" will be held at Mission Adelante, Inc.
22 South 18th Street
Kansas City, KS 66012
Please contact Kristen Allen for more information:
kristena@missionadelante.org
Other NewsPlease contact Kristen Allen for more information:
kristena@missionadelante.org
- Our Mommy & Me English class has been a success so far! There are six refugee mothers and their tots singing, clapping, reading, and playing games together--all while practicing English skills. We have one more class next week.
- We had the privilege to hear from some of the New Roots for Refugees farmers on Tuesday during our study of vegetables and the farmer’s market in the Bhutanese ESL classes. It was a great listening exercise for our students and both students and conversation partners learned a lot!
- The Kansas City Bhutanese Ekata Sports Team is traveling to Texas for a nationwide Bhutanese Soccer tournament this weekend.
- Frank, a leader with Raices in Cuba, was given a visa to come visit Mission Adelante for two weeks in July. He will learn more about business coaching strategies and will also share his own experiences with our staff.
Prayer Requests
- Please pray for the formation of the Adelante Business Coaching leadership team. We meet next week for the first time and are excited where God is leading us.
- Pray for immigration reform that upholds our values of human dignity, family unity and respect for the rule of law and for our senators who will vote on this issue.
Current Needs
- The resource center is in need of kitchen items, dishes, and summer kids clothes. If you are able to help, please give Molly Merrick a call to set up a drop of time at mollym@missionadelante.org.
Observation nights: July 16, 18, 23, & 25. Have
you wondered what all goes on around here on a typical evening of
programming? Here's your opportunity to come and see for yourself!
Come to 22 S. 18th Street, Kansas City, KS 66102 at 6:30 p.m.
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