TeamMates Welcomes Afghan Refugees with Customized Canvas Toiletry Bags
Each month, TeamMates Mentoring (LincolnTeamMates.org)offers their matches kits to complete a community service project, which provides a useful item or kind gesture to an organization or agency that serves others. Recently, TeamMates partnered with Lutheran Family Services to help welcome incoming Afghan refugees. TeamMates mentors and mentees decorated over 200 canvas toiletry bags to not only provide personal care items, but to also share messages of welcoming, encouragement, and resilience.
Mo Shakir, a volunteer with the Lutheran Family Services Foundation Board, was happy to be present when TeamMates staff delivered the donation of adorned bags and toiletries. As a former recipient of Lutheran Family Services’ support, Mo understands the impact of the collaborative community service project firsthand. Mo and his family left their home in Kurdistan, living in Iran, Afghanistan, and in Pakistan before receiving sponsorship to come to the United States in 1998.
“‘We’ve got your back,’ that’s what you guys are showing them,” said Mo. “I get goosebumps just thinking about it. I could look through these bags all day.”
TeamMates Mentoring, started in 1991 in Lincoln by Tom and Nancy Osborne, provides an adult volunteer mentor to students in grades 3-12. TeamMates meet at the young person’s school for one class period weekly during the school year. To partner with TeamMates or to learn more about mentoring, please visit LincolnTeamMates.org or call (402) 436-1990.