Fund Raising Banquet

Mark your calendars!  Our first annual fundraising banquet will be Friday, March 26.   We are privileged to have as our keynote speaker Ms. Kristen Holland, Acting Officer-in-Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS), Tampa Sub-office.  President Bush’s recent immigration reform initiative makes Ms. Holland’s remarks particularly relevant and timely.  This will be the first time an official of the BCIS will speak at a special event in Southwest Florida.  We expect 200+ people to attend our banquet at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church & School Auditorium in Fort Myers.  Advanced tickets are $25 each. 

 

Recognized Service Organization

We are pleased to report that the Board for Human Care Ministries of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) has granted provisional “Recognized Service Organization” (RSO) status to the Amigos Center, our social service ministry.  With this status the LCMS recognizes the Amigos Center as one through which the mission of the church becomes the people of God responding in the name of Christ to those “who thirst, are naked, sick, lonely, and in need of comfort.”  The staff, volunteers and supporters of the Amigos Center are grateful for this demonstration of confidence and solidarity with our work.

 

Accomplishments of Amigos Center: 2003

We provided 3,234 face-to-face client service events:

Immigration services----------------- 1,251

Referrals/Information------------------ 906

Other Services------------------------ 354

Translation/Interpretation Services----- 290

ITIN (Taxpayer ID)------------------- 200

Employment assistance---------------- 131

English Classes------------------------- 40

Humanitarian Aid----------------------- 40

Spanish Classes------------------------- 22

 

Our staff and volunteers during 2003:

1 full-time immigration specialist

1 part-time caseworker

1 part-time administration specialist

18 volunteer workers         

           

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2003:

• Published and distributed 5,000 copies of the Lee County Hispanic Newcomer’s Guide
• Dramatic increase in clients served
• Established computer database and data collection system to track client statistics
• Created an independent advisory board
• Completed a successful full-audit of 2002 finances by qualified CPA
• Established web site www.amigoscenter.org with photos and articles of interest.

Growth in Spanish Worship

Our Amigos en Cristo Spanish worship services have grown to the point where we really need to find a Music Director.  Beginning a second worship service has worked out well.  In 2002 we averaged 37 each Sunday.  During 2003 we averaged 32 in Bonita Springs and 21 in Fort Myers for a total of 53 saints worshipping in Spanish each Sunday.  All glory to God!

 

Give thanks to God for . . . 

Ø                  Our Recognized Service Organization status;

Ø                  Increased number of people participating in our Sunday Spanish worship services.

 

Pray for . . .

Ø                  A blessed First Annual Fundraising Banquet;

Ø                  Developing leadership in our ministry.