With the homeless in the streets and refugees sleeping in the parks of Paris, France, the need for help is present daily before our eyes, even during the Christmas season. Two friends and I decided to form a community group called Solidarity to Act Together to help where we can befriend newcomers and find ways to help them in their struggles.
With the support of many volunteers throughout the community and various churches in Paris, we organized Light the World activities to help our brothers and sisters in need. Bakeries, grocery stores, and food shops were generous in their contributions, and people were thoughtful in their gifts for people who must live each day in the outdoors, and sleep in tents at night.
For three years in a row, we’ve held a year-end Light the World event where artists, volunteers, and guests from a variety of churches and organizations in Paris come to perform and donate supplies to those in need. It takes months of preparation, but volunteers and performers have experienced such immense joy participating in the event. None of them want to miss it. For this event, we invited our homeless refugee friends who had been artists before they were forced to flee their homes, to participate.
We prepared and gathered backpacks filled with hygiene products to distribute to refugees and homeless people in Paris. We also gathered blankets, sheets, pillows, sporting goods, shower sandals, and even a bicycle, to help our refugees friends.
As part of last year’s event we also put on a fashion show during the event. For a 22-year-old stylist who participated, he said the support he received gave him strength to believe in his abilities. As he spoke with me, I was reminded that everyone needs to feel needed and that all of us are in need in some way.
Our event for 2020 looked very different. We had expected even more participants and activities, but COVID made that dream impossible. Instead we focused on making sure our refugee friends were okay during the pandemic. Some of our volunteers and partners have offered warehouses and refrigerated vans to help us in our work with community and commercial agencies to provide balanced meals for those in need. We have also been offering outdoor free French lessons for those learning French as a second language.
I find that serving in a noble cause brings indescribable joy. Small actions can build individuals in remarkable ways - it can build those in need as well as those who are giving.
Lighting the World - Art, Service, and Love
Official Statement on the Detention of Refugees and Ongoing Community Violence
With another death in Minnesota and continued violence toward individuals and groups standing up for their communities, we acknowledge the profound fear and uncertainty people are feeling--not just locally, but across the country.
On top of this, there are reports that refugees invited and admitted to our country through the U.S. Refugee Admission Program are now being detained, meaning that our new friends and neighbors feel that fear most acutely.
Refugees have already fled violence and persecution once. They came here legally, seeking safety. In moments like these, we reaffirm our commitment to building communities where refugees and immigrants can live without fear. Where they can go to work, send their children to school, and build lives of dignity and belonging.
We call for due process, accountability, and humanity in all immigration enforcement operations. We call upon our leaders to demand the demilitarization of our neighborhoods and cities. And we call on all of us to continue the work of welcoming and protecting those who have been forcibly displaced from their homes.