Erika is a long time friend of Project Worthmore and for the past 9 months, she has been our evening ESL teacher and grant writer. We are so thankful to welcome her as the director of the Yu Meh Food Share Program as of May 1.

When asked what she was most looking forward to about this new role, she replied, “I am excited about the many possibilities to support and grow this program. The PWM food share is very unique in the the way that it aims to involve participants in the program: from offering opportunities to farm to encouraging volunteering on food distribution days, this program is a prime example of how the organization as a whole supports integration through acknowledging dignity and fostering community.”

In the next six months, one of her main goals is to cultivate even more empowerment and community ownership over the program through increasing participation, input and on-site job training for refugee community members. She hopes to develop more partnerships to increase the amount of fresh organic produce during distribution days, as well as the number of days the distribution takes place.

As we work to bring emotional and physical well being and wholeness to our community, we are confident that food plays a big role. Many from our community suffer from poor health due to lack of access to a fresh and nourishing diet. As the Yu Meh Food Share Program expands, we hope to bring health to our neighbors.