Every year CFNA seeks to make contact with 200 never previously served New Americans through its outreach activities and service programs. What happened to these numbers during COVID?

Olivia Lopez, who was familiar with Christian Friends of New Americans (CFNA) through her congregation, Ascension Lutheran Church, and wondered if perhaps a food distribution event could be coordinated with CFNA.

More than 70 New American families from a dozen birth nations stopped by the Peace Center during the four-day event to receive items such as hand sanitizer, masks, cleaning supplies, washing detergent, soap, hygiene & dental items, paper towels, toilet paper, clothes, blankets, and more.

The Christmas spirit of joyous generosity and bold faith were on full display again this year. The joy of sharing an extra gift was pointed out by CCLS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Matt Hoehner: “Our families at CCLS loved being a part of the CFNA tutoring program’s Christmas party. The 70 gifts requested were immediately delivered by generous CCLS families.”

Born in St. Louis and now 17 years of age, Amaya is completing her senior year at Kirkwood High School. Her favorite subject is Chinese and in particular the Chinese language, of which she seeks to become a fluent speaker. Not surprisingly, she also serves as the president and founder of the Asian Language and Culture Club at Kirkwood High.

During these days of virtual classrooms, CFNA continues to receive a steady stream of requests for laptops. If you have one you wish to contribute or know someone who does, let us know!

Covid-19 turned our traditional Trivia Night upside down. How could we have a Fun Night for family and friends sitting six feet apart and wearing masks? We had a vision but making that vision a reality meant that like everyone, we had to struggle to learn new skills.

The Peace Center has a new neighbor in South City St. Louis named Selah Textiles. Started as a social entrepreneurial venture, Selah desires to employ young adult women who are foreign-born or under-resourced. The goal is to instill confidence by training them in the craft of screen printing.

1,200 turkey dinners, which included a frozen turkey, stuffing, green beans, gravy, and potatoes—enough to feed a family of five: 6,000 people in all. Recipients included hundreds of individuals, plus churches and organizations, such as Christian Friends of New Americans, Church of All Nations, St. Trinity Lutheran Church, and others.

Christian Friends of New Americans welcomed a record 130 golfers to beautiful Greenbriar Hills Country Club for their eighth Annual CFNA Golf Benefit on Monday, October 12. All the golfers appreciated the sunshine and warm, albeit windy, weather as they took to the links for an enjoyable golf outing.