Grace Church Stamford Hosts ‘Holiday Open House’

STAMFORD, CT - From Building 1 Community: Volunteers from Grace Church Stamford hosted a ‘Holiday Open House’ event for local immigrant families at Building One Community – The Center for Immigrant Opportunity (B1C) on Saturday, December 8, from 3-5 pm. The event was attended by approximately 250 people.

Highlights from the event included a musical performance by the CMI Players, a Darien-based musical group, and a raffle. The CMI Players are led by Mrs. Akiko Silver, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Chamber Music Institute, who studied at The Juilliard School and has toured in the U.S., Europe, and Japan. Raffle winners went home with a variety of prizes, such as a microwave and a portable heater. Grace Church Stamford volunteers also coordinated activities for kids like face painting and applying holiday-themed temporary tattoos.

Beyond the Holiday Open House, Grace Church Stamford has sponsored and organized volunteers for other family-friendly events for immigrants, including a free movie screening of “Underdogs” at B1C. According to Pastor Daniel Jang, building a long-term relationship with B1C allows Grace Church Stamford to help the people of their city without recreating the wheel by starting their own soup kitchen or ESL program. Mr. Jang said the people of Grace Church Stamford have a heart for helping the community and they like the idea of working with an organization like B1C that is making an impact on immigrant and refugee populations.

“Every time we’ve gone to Building One Community, it has exceeded our expectations,” said volunteer coordinator Ken Kwan. Mr. Kwan said it was exciting to see even more immigrant families attend this year’s Holiday Open House than the year before.

For volunteers like Mr. Kwan, the holidays are about serving others and being with family. His son and nieces were among the 20-person group who volunteered to make the Holiday Open House possible.

About Building One Community

Building One Community is a nonprofit organization, established in 2011, that provides a comprehensive resource center for immigrants in the greater Stamford area. The mission of Building One Community is to bring passionate people together to help immigrants and their families succeed in the community. Learn more at Building1Community.org.

About Grace Church

Grace Church Stamford is a community of Bible-believing Christians, reformed in doctrine. They are a body committed to sharing the good news of Jesus with the people of Stamford, Fairfield County, and the region. Grace Church Stamford members gather on Sundays and in Life Groups during the week to worship God and encourage one another.

Photo courtesy of Building 1 Community