Cris Wolfe, Pasadena Community Church's
ESOL Volunteer Coordinator
When Cris Wolfe visited Florida in 1971, she never dreamed she would eventually coordinate the Pasadena Community Church. Then Hispanic Pastor Nancy Mayeux gave a stirring talk at Cris's home church on the need for ESOL help. Promptly Cris stepped up to the plate and became a certified UMCM Tutor through a workshop led by Marti Lane at Pasadena.
Cris fondly recalls when one of her students enrolled in the class in order to get a job. While attending Pasadena ESOL classes, she greatly improved her English skills through the help of her tutors. The lady landed a medical receptionist job! Another student, formerly an accountant in China, faced a new life in the US as a widow. At 59 years of age, she attended Pasadena's ESOL program. Cris shared a beautiful thank you card that the lady created in which she expressed her deep gratitude.
On May 4, Cris and the team celebrated the success of their ESOL students at an International Recognition Banquet. These remarkable students hail from Eastern Europe to Nicaragua. Many have advanced degrees and left fine jobs in their native countries. Through hard work and determination, they endeavor to learn the English language and American culture. Pasadena Community Church continues to reach out to the community with open doors twice per week to host the ESOL English classes as well as many other fine programs. Volunteers from the church give their time to help the students achieve their goals. Cris says, "Giving back is easy with faithful volunteers and willing students!"
Pasadena Community Church ESOL Program
Olga and Asisteo proudly display their certificates next to coordinator, Cris Wolfe at the ESOL banquet in Pasadena. Many students received certificates of recognition and accomplishment. UMCM's Executive Director, Donna Ratzlaff thanked Cris and the tutors for their outstanding work. She cited that Pasadena ESOL program was one of the finest she had ever seen!
The tutors and students of the Pasadena ESOL English class. Thank you Cris and team for a job well done! |
Jimmy Aschraft, Volunteer Music Instructor for Children of the World Preschool
Jimmy Aschraft, an accomplished musician, drives a school bus for the Children of the World Preschool. Soon after he began working for UMCM, he volunteered to assist with music instruction. Today he teaches the children traditional American songs, while accompanying them with his keyboard, guitar, and trumpet. It gives Jimmy great joy to hear the little ones singing the songs on the bus that they learned in school.
Jimmy and his wife have found a niche by volunteering in many other areas, including the Clearwater United Methodist Church, the Praise Band at Hope Lutheran and a prison ministry. Thank you, Jimmy! |
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Libia, High School
Senior and Pass+ Volunteer
Libia has been a PASS+ volunteer with UMCM for almost two years. She has a real passion for helping kids from different countries with their homework. She knows how it feels to be unable to speak English or do her homework well because she has been in their shoes.
Libia and her mom arrived from Columbia with very little English when she was 11 years old. Today she is taking Advanced Placement Classes at Boca Ciego High School. Three years ago, she joined the Army ROTC program at her school. "ROTC has taught me leadership and teamwork skills. I want to be a better citizen."
Libia is committed to working with the PASS+ children in the Union Street program. "I love being with the kids. I feel like I am accomplishing something for myself and for the kids in the program by helping them to succeed."
Libia learned about the PASS+ program through her mother and grandmother who took ESOL classes at Union Street. She is a Service Learning Volunteer and her hours count towards the Bright Futures College Scholarship Program. "I only need 75 volunteer hours this year, but I have done a lot more, because I like working with the kids so much." Libia plans to attend USF in the fall. She hopes to continue volunteering with the children of PASS+ over the summer. Outstanding work, Libia! |
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Pastor Russell Smith: Keeps on Serving
Pastor Russell Smith has done many interesting things in his lifetime, but tutoring ESOL at Union Street has been one of his most satisfying.
Pastor Smith's personal story is one of hard work and determination. Born on a farm in Nova Scotia, he dropped out of high school in 10th grade to work on the family farm when his dad passed away. Then he moved to Toronto where he worked as a bank teller. Soon, Russell received his calling for the ministry. He studied for his high school diploma for three years at evening classes, then he earned his BA degree at Wayne State University, followed by Boston University School of Theology.
In 1958, he became a US Citizen and was ordained in 1963. The Smiths pastored faithfully for 31 years.
Fourteen years ago, Russell and his wife Ruth, a retired nurse, moved to Florida. The Smiths began to do volunteer work at First United Methodist Church of Clearwater, Habitat for Humanity and AIDS Coalition in Clearwater. He began tutoring with UMCM in 2004. Thank you Pastor and Mrs. Smith for faithful serving!
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Table of Contents
Cris Wolfe
Jimmy Ashcraft
Libia
Pastor Russell Smith |
Quote of the Month:
"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:34
Prayer:
O Lord, teach us to make available to you all that we have, all that we are.
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Spring Needs List
- Paper Towels
- Toilet Paper
- McDonalds $5.00 Certificates for use as achievement awards
- 100% juice (Apple, Orange), Individual Puddings
- Individual Fruit Cups
- Laminating Machine
- Cases of Photo Copy Paper 20 and 24 lb.
- Sticky Notes (any kind or size-we recycle)
- Gallon Jugs of Hi-C
- Large Lemonade Mix
- 4 oz. Paper cups (for small hands)
- Sam's or Wal-Mart Gift Certificates to purchase urgent needs.
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United Methodist Cooperative Ministries
wishes to sincerely thank all of our dedicated volunteers for helping us build bridges of understanding and transforming lives through the many outreaches
of
UMCM.
United Methodist Cooperative Ministries seeks to make Christ's love visible and tangible through Service, Education and Advocacy
Call us today and ask
where you may volunteer
at UMCM.
Check out
for many other possibilities in the community. | |
