Through Direct Service, we connect with people from a variety of circumstances and experiences.
Just this past month, we met Mrs. N, a strong, determined single Mom. She and her family lost everything they had - house, furniture, even car - demolished in Puerto Rico by Hurricane Maria. There was no affordable insurance, therefore all was a total loss. Mrs. N decided to come with her son and daughter to the continental United States. They first lived in New Jersey, but rental costs were more than she could afford. Thankfully, a friend whom she had known in Puerto Rico invited her and the children to come and stay at her home in Alabama. Mrs. N immediately got a job and eventually had the money to start over on her own in Columbus. Her English is improving and her children are happy in their new school. Mrs. N's first job here did not work out well, but she recently found another one. During that transition, her friend helped her with part of her rent and CVEM was able to make up the difference. Mrs. N is one of the most positive, inspiring women to come through our door, and we know she and her children are well on their way to building a new home here in Columbus!
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"Festival of Friends: Invite and Unite" was a joyous TAP week! We learned an original Chinese Dragon dance, visited with African Love Birds, and learned about many cultural and faith celebrations--Easter, Loi Krathong, Hanukkah, and Ramadan. Our Celebration ended with a COLORFUL Holi Gala. And on Friday, we released our beautiful flower bowls with wishes for health and peace into the Chattahoochee River. TAP always promotes Unity and Understanding among diverse people, and "Festival of Friends" knocked it out of the park!!
For more fabulous pictures, click here!
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Infusion's Journey to the Legacy Museum
The 2018-19 Infusion class completed their year with a trip to Montgomery, AL to visit the Equal Justice Initiative's Legacy Museum and Memorial for Peace & Justice, and also visited the First White House of the Confederacy and the Museum of Alabama. The group of six high school students spent the past year focused on learning about our American racial history and discussing the racial inequities they encounter in our communities.
Read below a reflection of one student's experience.
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"My overall experience at the Legacy Museum was moving. I knew only some of the history that occurred in Montgomery, but not as much as I thought. The museum opened my eyes and showed me a small picture of those who are still being discriminated against to this day. I was, and still am, empowered to help continue the change for equal rights and fair justice given to all people. After my short time in the Legacy Museum, I am determined to be a part of the hopeful generation that will never again let incidents such as those that occurred in the Legacy Museum happen again."
Continue reading Riley's reflection here.
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Do you know a rising 8th or 9th grade student who would like to become a part of a small but diverse group of students from the Columbus area?
Infusion will resume in late August with up to 12 students in grades eight through 12. The group participates in monthly community engagement projects and then meets another day in the month to reflect on that experience and to learn and discuss issues around race and equity. The program is designed to help students build relationships within their diverse small group and within the greater Columbus community. Malinda Shamburger leads Infusion; she has been involved in the program since its inaugural class of 2006-07.
Click here to apply for Infusion 2019!
For more information about Infusion, email infusion@cvemjubilee.org
or call 706-327-0400 ext. 1002.
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It's no secret that our volunteers are an integral part of CVEM!
We've been lucky enough to have US Army Ranger, Staff Sgt. Patrick James working with us as an intern since January of this year. Working on a master's degree, one of Pat's courses requires students to identify a local organization whose mission focuses on social justice action. After researching possibilities, Pat reached out to us at CVEM!
Pat has been diligent and hard-working from the very beginning!
He has been researching and vetting community resources for our Direct Service program. His diligent work has already aided many of our Direct Service clients in identifying and utilizing local resources they (and we) may not have otherwise discovered. Additionally, Pat has volunteered his time with CVEM's Racial Reconciliation team and with Infusion, providing the teen leaders with a unique leadership perspective and accompanying them on their trip to the Equal Justice Initiative's Legacy Museum and National Memorial for Peace & Justice in Montgomery. We are so thankful for all that Pat has done in his time with CVEM and wish him all the best in his future endeavors! We're so glad you chose us, Pat!!
To hear about Pat's reflection on his work with CVEM, continue to our blog.
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Thank you, Kathryn!
In mid-May, we bid farewell to Kathryn Scoggins, CVEM’s Administrative Assistant. Kathryn made a lasting impact on CVEM staff, volunteers, and program participants in the time she was here. Her kindness and deep respect for the dignity of every human being was evident in all she did and she will be greatly missed. Kathryn and her husband Chris are returning to Macon where they both will be pursuing exciting opportunities at Mercer University’s School of Medicine.
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Welcome, Meghan!
In June, we welcomed Meghan Twigg as CVEM’s Administrative Assistant! An active member of Trinity Episcopal Church and recent graduate of Columbus State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, Meghan is already utilizing her strong communication skills and focus on social media along with her uber organizational talents! Please be sure to welcome Meghan who can be contacted at admin@cvemjubilee.org or at 706-327-0400 ext. 1002.
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Like what you see? Help support CVEM!
Make your donation
to a specific program or given for general use
in honor or memory of a loved one
a one-time gift or a recurring one
For secure online giving, click below
Or mail your check to CVEM P.O. Box 5811 Columbus, GA 31906
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
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Have questions?
Contact CVEM by email at info@cvemjubilee.org or by phone at 706-327-0400.
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My time at CVEM has been an incredible journey of growth and self-reflection.
From the Direct Service program to Infusion and Dismantling Racism, I was given an opportunity to engage with my community in a new, and insightful, manner.