Reflecting on 2023
December 21, 2023
“Generosity always begins with kind words,” Abdul says as he smiles at me. I don’t have time to write down all the dazzling things he is saying. Everything is poetry; profound, sad but hopeful, complex and beautiful.
He is settling after a harrowing journey from a country where racism has destroyed so many lives. He knows that his story can help make the world better, and he courageously shares it.
On May 11 of this year, Title 42, the toughest measure the U.S. government had ever implemented at the border, ended. This measure was put into place during the pandemic in March 2020, and it did not allow for access to asylum, rather it created an expedited way of removing migrants back to Mexico. For most, it was an expedited path back towards harm.
After May 11th, for a few days, perhaps a few weeks, there was no big change for us. When change did happen, it happened exponentially and swiftly.
Our staff, the most caring people I have ever encountered, stepped up and welcomed first 100, then 200, then 300, now some 400 people to Project Worthmore. We were able to make space and resources available thanks to the tireless dedication of those working towards making a world which they are proud to live in.
The refugee community is far from homogenous. We offer what we can to meet the needs of each individual, and often, that is as simple as offering our attention.
“Every time someone listens to me, it is like I forget a small part of the suffering,” Abdul says. I shake my head in awe of his words, and of the raw, simple truth in them. Sharing and listening are the root of where our community, our humanity begins.
At Project Worthmore, we are so grateful for these exchanges. We know that we spend everyday in the extraordinary: the worst and the best of what the world is. We share our experiences and the best becomes even better, the worst becomes somehow bearable. We have been touched this year by all of it. We have spent much time talking about success and generosity during the latter part of this year, both internally and externally.
Generosity is success and success should be generous. There is an inextricable link between the two. I invite you to think of a time that you have succeeded with the generosity of someone, at some point of the journey.
Whether it is a gift in their honor, or a gift that honors the generosity in yourself and acknowledges the world you are part of and the world you wish to build, we ask you today to help support the work that we do which starts, always from simple exchanges and often ends in life changes.
Thank you for joining us in the exchanges, we are grateful for you.
Erika Bodor,
Director of Development