Friday, February 8 marked the first gathering of FIRM Fridays, a new weekly program focused on seniors (age 50 and up) from refugee communities who will meet each week on Friday from 10 AM to 1 PM. The program will include a meal, social and learning activities.
About 30 seniors attended on February 8, and the Hmong elders worked together to make khao piak for lunch.
This program grows out of the FIRM staff retreat, which identified a need among seniors in refugee communities for socialization programs that are culturally sensitive.
On February 8, the local church community Not Abandoned (which meets at the FIRM offices for worship) also attended the event. Their pastor and members from the church brought fresh flowers for each of the seniors, and enjoyed visiting with them.
Sponsors are needed for this program! Sponsors might be a church or church group, a community organization, or groups of individuals. The sponsors are needed to prepare the meal and activities for the seniors – and/or contribute financially to support the program.
The first sponsor of FIRM Fridays will be the Asian Real Estate Association of America, Central Valley Chapter on February 22. If you or your organization is interested in exploring sponsoring a FIRM Friday, contact Zack Darrah.