Thelma was born only months after her family moved to the United States from Liberia in 2006. Some of her first memories of St. Louis include sitting in the Peace Center as her mom worked with CFNA volunteers to learn to navigate the new city and systems that were now becoming their own. “I remember being terrified of water, but CFNA worked with me and other children every summer to teach us to swim. I also remember coming
for summer games and activities.”
Fast forward 18 years. Thelma worships with her family at Webster Gardens Lutheran Church, is a successful senior at Lutheran South, and is a recipient of the CFNA Scholarship program. This year CFNA decided to ask all high school scholarship recipients to volunteer 10 hours on site at the Peace Center. “Volunteering with CFNA gives our high school youth an opportunity to give back and to be involved in the lives of other New Americans,” states Judith Meyer, director of the scholarship program. Intending to complete these volunteer hours, Thelma found herself once more in the entryway of the Peace Center. She reflects, “It was surreal. I hadn’t been in the building in so many years, yet it smelled the same. Nothing had changed, but everything had changed.”
Today, Thelma is teaching others to navigate the systems she now knows herself. “I love the connections of positive people at CFNA. I work with Judy, she is bright and confident. We laugh together. It is amazing how God has brought me full circle.” Thelma comes regularly to tutor and shares her time, knowledge and the love of Jesus.
I have called you friends,
for all that I have heard
from my Father I have
made known to you.
(John 15:15)
Christian Friends of New Americans is a faithful partner of The Bolick Foundation