› First Place Swarthmore: Calling the Hearts and Hands of SPC and Beyond

Written by Anne Wohlschlaeger with Rev. Sarah Cooper Searight / featuring a message from a recent resident of First Place Swarthmore

› First Place Swarthmore: Calling All Hearts and Hands of SPC and Beyond

Written by Anne Wohlschlaeger
with Rev. Sarah Cooper Searight

featuring a message from a recent resident of First Place Swarthmore

The ministry of First Place Swarthmore is truly a labor of love for many in our family here at SPC. Church volunteers and staff bring their hearts and hands to the many tasks that make possible our capacity to welcome new refugee families into this temporary home. From the beginning, the Spirit has been the connector calling those within our congregation and our wider community to this effort, because it takes the varied gifts and generous time of many to make this possible. When we talk of relational ministry, First Place Swarthmore is a prime example of the glorious fruit of our connection to one another and willingness to reach beyond ourselves. In what we give to this ministry, time and money, so much is born out that benefits not only the families housed, not only individual volunteers, not only the community in which we live, but also our understanding of the kingdom of God as it is promised: a place of radical welcome and lavish generosity for all of God’s people.
In 2022, First Place Swarthmore (FPS) officially opened its doors to provide short-term transitional housing for newly arrived refugee families into our area. Over this year, FPS has worked in close partnership with Bethany Christian Services, an agency approved by the US State Department to resettle refugees in our area, to welcome and provide support to families as Bethany Christian Services works to find more permanent housing. The model of transitional housing allows us to welcome multiple families over the course of a year, providing a safe and hospitable place for them immediately upon arrival into the United States. This is a critical time for newly arrived families to begin to learn new customs, new geography, in most cases a new language, and to truly begin to get their feet on the ground.  

In September of 2022, First Place Swarthmore welcomed our first family of five with open arms.

To date we have housed four separate families originating from Afghanistan and Venezuela. As the initiator of First Place Swarthmore, Swarthmore Presbyterian Church envisioned from the beginning that this would be a truly community-wide effort to extend ourselves in authentic welcome to those seeking refuge and a new home in the Philadelphia area; and this is just what has happened. First Place Swarthmore has actively invited and drawn upon the whole community, and the community has responded in all manner of ways including: help with taking the families grocery shopping, providing English as a Second Language (ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, cleaning the apartment between families, facilitating weekly relational meetings with the families, and of course, generously giving of needed items when the call goes out. The impact of this generosity and hospitality has been felt by each of the families, each of whom has commented on how much they have loved this community. 

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he ministry of First Place Swarthmore is truly a labor of love for many in our family here at SPC. Church volunteers and staff bring their hearts and hands to the many tasks that make possible our capacity to welcome new refugee families into this temporary home. From the beginning, the Spirit has been the connector calling those within our congregation and our wider community to this effort, because it takes the varied gifts and generous time of many to make this possible. When we talk of relational ministry, First Place Swarthmore is a prime example of the glorious fruit of our connection to one another and willingness to reach beyond ourselves. In what we give to this ministry, time and money, so much is born out that benefits not only the families housed, not only individual volunteers, not only the community in which we live, but also our understanding of the kingdom of God as it is promised: a place of radical welcome and lavish generosity for all of God’s people. 

In 2022, First Place Swarthmore (FPS) officially opened its doors to provide short-term transitional housing for newly arrived refugee families into our area. Over this year, FPS has worked in close partnership with Bethany Christian Services, an agency approved by the US State Department to resettle refugees in our area, to welcome and provide support to families as Bethany Christian Services works to find more permanent housing. The model of transitional housing allows us to welcome multiple families over the course of a year, providing a safe and hospitable place for them immediately upon arrival into the United States. This is a critical time for newly arrived families to begin to learn new customs, new geography, in most cases a new language, and to truly begin to get their feet on the ground.  

In September of 2022, First Place Swarthmore welcomed our first family of five with open arms. To date we have housed four separate families originating from Afghanistan and Venezuela. As the initiator of First Place Swarthmore, Swarthmore Presbyterian Church envisioned from the beginning that this would be a truly community-wide effort to extend ourselves in authentic welcome to those seeking refuge and a new home in the Philadelphia area; and this is just what has happened. First Place Swarthmore has actively invited and drawn upon the whole community, and the community has responded in all manner of ways including: help with taking the families grocery shopping, providing English as a Second Language (ESL (English as a Second Language) classes, cleaning the apartment between families, facilitating weekly relational meetings with the families, and of course, generously giving of needed items when the call goes out.  

The impact of this generosity and hospitality has been felt by each of the families, each of whom has commented on how much they have loved this community. 

A recent resident put his gratitude into words, sharing the following story of what FPS meant to him and his family:

“In the wake of the tumultuous events in Afghanistan, our lives took an unexpected turn as we embarked on a journey from the war-torn country to the United States. It was a journey filled with hope, challenges, and the promise of a new beginning.

I, the patriarch of our family, had dedicated years of my life working alongside the United States government on various missions, from combating narcotics to supporting the logistical needs of the US Army. My commitment and service made our family eligible for the coveted Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). Little did we know that this visa would become our lifeline in the face of an impending catastrophe.

As the US Army evacuated and the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, chaos descended upon our homeland. The hard-fought gains of the past two decades, including democracy, human rights, and the opportunity for education and employment, were swiftly erased. Those who had served the US government became targets for the vengeful Taliban. Our family’s staunch opposition to extremism and the Taliban’s oppressive regime made us especially vulnerable, losing my career and our family’s assets. My mother, a tireless women’s rights activist for two decades, could not escape the turmoil.

During this turmoil, we clung to our hope for a better future. We boarded a flight to Philadelphia on June 6th, 2023, with US visas. Our fortunes took a turn for the better when we connected with the Swarthmore First Place through the assistance of Bethany Christian Services. A remarkable individual with a heart of gold picked us up and welcomed us into our new temporary home at 10 Park Ave. The house was fully furnished, and essential supplies were abundant, including enough food to last a week.

The neighborhood in Swarthmore proved to be a pleasant surprise. Its tranquility and the people’s warmth starkly contrast to the turmoil we had left behind. We were not alone on this journey; two exceptional ladies introduced themselves as our coordinators and points of contact. Their unwavering support made all the difference. They helped us with everything from finding English as a Second Language (ESL) tutors for my spouse and our children to assisting with grocery shopping, organizing check-in sessions, arranging visits to Swarthmore, providing driving lessons for obtaining a driver’s license, and even offering yoga classes. They also guided us in resume writing, networking for potential job opportunities, and gathering essential items for our new home.

Our journey from Afghanistan to the US was more than just a physical transition; it was a story of resilience, kindness, and the promise of a brighter future in a land where hope thrived.”

Into its second year, First Place Swarthmore continues this work of welcome, eager to involve many hearts and hands. We are grateful for how the Spirit binds us to one another, revealing God in new ways through the faces of those who were once strangers and are now friends. 

Visit the FPS Website