By Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director
There’s something about thrifting that has always felt like home to me.
Some of my earliest memories are of going to Minnesota Ave Thrift with my mom. The only local thrift store we knew, where we could find what we needed and sometimes what we didn’t even know we were looking for. I remember walking the aisles, not really knowing what I’d find, but always leaving with something that felt like a treasure.
by Patrique Harris, Ministry Director
Over the years, I’ve shared a lot about leadership development at Mission Adelante. I’ve seen so many kids, teens, and young adults thrive through our leadership development programs and pipeline. What I haven’t shared as much is how pivotal Mission Adelante has been in my own growth as a ministry leader.
As many of you know, I joined the Mission Adelante team in 2021, nearly five years ago, as Youth Ministry Director. With a somewhat unconventional background for the role, I had a lot to learn. Still, I was met with an incredible amount of support, from encouraging teammates, committed volunteers, wise supervisors, and, of course, God’s grace. With this, I felt a deep and divine confidence in my calling. I felt free to dream, build, and lead youth programming that has really flourished.
By Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director
In Mexico, you don’t just say “thank you.”
You invite someone to your table.
You make space. You warm tortillas. You stir the pot a little longer. You serve the best portion to your guest before serving yourself. In my culture, sharing a meal is one of the most sacred ways we express gratitude. It says: I’m thankful for you.
Some of my most meaningful memories are around a table: laughter echoing off kitchen walls, hands passing plates, stories flowing as freely as the salsa. Food isn’t just food in Mexico. It carries history. It carries sacrifice. It carries love. Recipes are not simply instructions, they are inheritance.
by Patrique Harris, Ministry Director
Growing up in Jamaica, I have always been fascinated with the history of the Caribbean and Jamaica in particular. From the Indigenous peoples who first inhabited the land, to Europeans who arrived, killed, and colonized, and the brutal transatlantic slave trade that fueled sugar plantations, and fattened the purses of imperial “powers”, our past is marked by immense pain, violence, and exploitation. Yet, the story of our people is not defined by cruelty alone. It is also a story of vision, resolve, defiance, and authenticity.
By Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director
As we step into 2026, we do so in a time that feels increasingly divided. It has become normal to close ourselves off, to stay within what feels familiar, and to hesitate when it comes to welcoming others. In the midst of this, Mission Adelante has been a place that lives differently, a community committed to radical welcome, even when it would be easier not to.
Mission Adelante has been that place for me. A community that welcomed me before I had a role, before I knew how I could serve, before I had words for what I was carrying. I was met with presence, patience, and care. And in that, I caught a glimpse of what Scripture means when it says, “You are no longer strangers and foreigners, but members of God’s household” (Ephesians 2:19). Belonging came first. Everything else came later.
By Carla Garcia, Partner Engagement Director
This season, I can feel the heaviness in our city almost as soon as I step outside. The political climate, the way immigrants and refugees are talked about, the comments online, the tension in local conversations. It hurts. Because people I love, families I know by name, are being spoken of as if they were a burden instead of a blessing. As if their stories, their courage, their sacrifices don’t matter.
But they are not burdens. Son nuestros vecinos.
by Patrique Harris, Ministry Director
This past week has been a whirlwind, marked by joy and celebration, yet also mixed with sorrow and concern. Such is the duplicity of life.
Last Saturday, I turned thirty! To mark the milestone, I set out on a 30,000-step walk through some of my favorite parts of Kansas City and its surroundings. Though the forecast warned of a downpour, the day turned out beautifully! It was cool, with a faint drizzle, but not enough rain to dampen my spirits.
by David Stutz, ESL volunteer.
I first heard about Mission Adelante through my friend Joe. He had recently heard of this opportunity to help non-native speakers learn English, and we both loved the idea of contributing to the community in such a way, so we joined the volunteer team in May.
Over the summer trimester, I had a lot of fun teaching English while also sharpening my Spanish speaking. However, I was out of town for about 5 weeks so I didn’t feel as if I was fully experiencing the progress of the students. On the other hand, in the fall and spring trimesters I have been able to come every week and interact more with my student, Ulises and Gilberto. ESL at Mission Adelante has me now looking forward to Thursday evenings despite the half hour drive from home!
It has been rewarding to be one of the youngest teachers because of the positivity surrounding the students and teachers at ESL. I’ve received several compliments from both volunteers and students about how important it is to start helping the community from a young age.
One thing I specifically appreciate about the students is how they always come prepared. This both means that they come with the right materials and their homework done, but also with the right attitude. I’ve taken notice of how the students are always encouraging others to speak up, taking corrections well, and keeping the atmosphere lighthearted.
I would strongly recommend volunteering for ESL at Mission Adelante for people both young and old. There is a lot to learn when helping the lives of others, but the biggest takeaway for me is how fun it can be!
We are so excited for everything that is happening this year and we are grateful for all our volunteers who make everything possible. Would you consider partnering with us this trimester?
How can you help?
Pray for our program participants would create an impact in our community and grow with their walk with the Lord.
Volunteer – Come to our volunteer Orientation. For more information visit: https://www.missionadelante.org/serve
Donate to join us in building a multicultural community of disciples making disciples.
