From Recipient to Participant: New Hope Women's Support Group
By Anyelis Diaz Sometimes God uses our needs to have us serve others. |  |
| That is the case of Alicia. When Alicia and her husband Hector moved to Haledon, New Jersey from Houston, Texas, they were without jobs, family or friends. Alicia, an immigrant housewife dedicated to her special need child Frankie, and her unemployed husband were having a very difficult time. Alicia didn’t speak much English and couldn’t work because of her legal status. Soon after arriving in Haledon, Alicia heard about New Hope Community Ministries and she went to ask for help. Alicia says that at New Hope she not only received some financial relief but also holistic nourishment. She also discovered her gift as a mentor. Alicia always had a passion for serving in her native country of Argentina but she never thought she could serve by mentoring. Not long after her first participation with New Hope, Alicia became part of the women’s support group. Her family’s difficult time was an illustration of how God works in each of our lives. Alicia and her family were struggling financially and emotionally but her desire to help others was bigger than her situation. Alicia is not only a women’s mentor; she is encouraging families that are struggling just like hers. Alicia is compassionate and patient and a good listener. She takes her volunteer job very seriously. She has never missed a food pantry distribution and she’s always there to meet the families that she mentors. Alicia is taking an ESL class and is in the process of obtaining citizenship. She keeps mentoring women and families at New Hope and most of all Alicia keeps serving the Lord by serving others. | |