Part of San Antonio Mennonite ’ s mission includes housing a childcare center with play spaces on their grounds . Angela Bartels
Partners program , there was a crisis in the immigration world here . We owned a house near the immigration detention center where we invited folks awaiting next steps to stay . People stayed with us while their family members received medical attention , etc . That December a local judge made a ruling that released hundreds of detainees with nowhere to go . Five hundred people slept in our church that night — with no heat ! The news picked up that story , and we got a reputation for being a church that helps . Catholic Charities and the Interfaith Welcome Coalition got more involved locally in creating temporary shelter for immigrants , which led to us seeking out a niche where there was more need . We now provide long-term care to immigrant women who don ’ t have a place to go and have decided to settle here . We offer education , transportation , and medical care ; give them a place to stay ; and provide their legal fees .
5 . How has your fundraising evolved ? The storytelling skills that we learned in New Dollars / New Partners helped tremendously . Our mission statement articulates that we ’ re a joyful and loving community that does justice , loves mercy , and walks humbly with our God . But we knew we couldn ’ t fulfill our mission if we didn ’ t have a habitable space . We needed to determine how the buildings could help us serve the community . Now we capitalize on our buildings by renting out space . We just had a wedding here , and we also host visitors and events . Having income allows us to do upkeep on the buildings , which enables us to carry out our mission work . For instance , we recently hosted a respite center for asylum seekers , where folks could shower and wash clothes , use our childcare center , and have a hot meal .
6 . How has the maintenance and use of your building changed ? We aren ’ t going from crisis to crisis anymore . Instead , we think , How do we get regular maintenance for our air conditioner ? And we take advantage of volunteers to do smaller tasks , like paint . While the volunteers are here , we tell them about our work . They , in turn , go back to their home congregations and communities to tell our story , and we get more donations .
7 . How is the health of your congregation ? The service programs continue , and they are a draw for prospective congregants . New people are joining us all the time . We have more young families now . But above all , we have peace of mind . We have well-maintained space and income to do the work we are called to do .
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