2021 Warm a Neighbor Project

Warm a Neighbor Project

Since 2015, we have partnered with Sioux Falls Christian Radio Station, Life 96.5, to focus on our Warm a Neighbor Project. Each month, the radio station highlights a non-profit to address a local need.  They ask their listeners to help this organization by donating items. We have been fortunate to grow this partnership each year and be one of their “January ministries,” collecting warm winter items for clients at Caminando Juntos, our Latino ministry in Sioux Falls.

Our partnerships have grown for this event each year. Billion Automotive will be a new drop off location at all of their dealerships in Sioux Falls for 2021. The energy has been contagious as Coffea Roasterie has also agreed to assist at three locations in Sioux Falls. We are ever grateful to all of the partners, knowing that together we are warming hundreds of neighbors each winter!

Caminando Juntos is Spanish for “walking together”, and is the name of our Hispanic ministry in the Sioux Falls area. Their primary purpose is to help create a welcoming presence and respond to the needs of the newer Latino immigrants as they seek to integrate into this culture and make a home among us.

It has been found that many of the Hispanic people who relocate to Sioux Falls are not prepared for the harshness of the winter climate. They do not have warm gloves, mittens, hats, or scarves to wear. We ask the community for help to provide cold weather accessories for the men, women and children who visit the ministry center for assistance.

Here are a few stories from Caminando Juntos of how much these warm winter items are appreciated, and Inspire Hope!

“A young couple came looking for gloves. They were walking and it was a cold and snowy day. We were able to give them some gloves and the girl was really excited that we had some new shoes, as the ones she had were really wet and old. They were so grateful.”

“It was the end of the day and a pregnant woman and her little girl came to our ministry. They walked to come to our ministry, even getting lost before finding our office. They needed some assistance. We provided them with hats, gloves, scarfs, blanket and shoes. They were really happy. That moment was so heartwarming.”

Caminando Juntos, which began in 2002, continues to grow as the population in Sioux Falls and the surrounding area becomes more diverse. The services provided include:

• Assistance to accessing healthcare, education, legal and social service systems.
• Accompaniment of women and children in abusive relationships.
• Visitation to homes, hospitals and state penitentiary.
• Education through English classes and citizenship preparation.
• Provision of immigration counseling and services by an Accredited Immigration Specialist
• Promotion of human rights for Latinos.