By Erick Flores, Youth Ministry Manager
Once a year, Mission Adelante hosts an end-of-summer celebration to recognize all that was accomplished throughout the summer and to send our families into the new school year with encouragement and excitement. There were so many memorable moments during this year's party, so let me take you through some of the highlights!
One of the biggest celebrations of the evening was recognizing our Summer Interns and congratulating them on completing their internships. This summer, we had seven interns, the most we've ever had! A typical summer for our interns is filled with opportunities to learn, serve, and grow. They participate in community service projects throughout our city, giving back to our neighbors and strengthening our community. We also invite community members to lead meaningful workshops that equip our interns with practical skills they can use beyond the program. Our exposure trips introduce them to organizations, resources, and opportunities throughout our community. Each intern is assigned a volunteer role and helps lead our annual Arts Camp. After all of their hard work and dedication this summer, each intern was recognized with a certificate and a $750 stipend.
Throughout the party, we also hosted a raffle fundraiser! We had some amazing prizes, including signed Sporting KC jerseys, Sporting KC soccer balls, and delicious homemade sourdough bread. Thanks to everyone's generosity, we sold plenty of raffle tickets, and plenty of happy winners walked away with prizes!
One of the most bittersweet moments of the evening was saying goodbye to our longtime participant, outstanding leader, and staff member, Sonia Lakandri, as she and her family prepare to move to Columbus, Ohio.
Sonia is someone who has truly done it all. She is a prime example of Mission Adelante's Leadership Development pathway. She began in our Leaders-In-Training (LIT) program, graduated into our Leadership Training Project (LTP) for high school students, completed our Summer Internship, and most recently served on our staff as Children's Ministry Coordinator. I could go on and on about Sonia, but I might get in trouble with our Social Media team if I don't keep this article short! Sonia, I wish you nothing but the very best as you begin this new chapter. I pray, and I know, that God has an incredible plan written for your life.
We also invited our friends and families to bring a dish to share, and they delivered! Everyone enjoyed delicious food representing different cultures, tasty desserts, and refreshing homemade horchata. Between the fun games, dancing, laughter, and wonderful fellowship, our 2026 Summer Party was a success.
To all of our friends and families who joined us, thank you for celebrating with us. We are grateful for your continued support and look forward to another amazing year together!
