Thank you to the band Radio Free Honduras for creating an unforgettable vibe for our dinner! If you liked what you heard, they are on Spotify and all other major streaming platforms.
Celebrating 25 Years
March 21, 2025
Highlights from our 25th Anniversary Celebration in Grand Rapids, MI
Here are a few of our favorite images from the events:
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Phew! How much fun was Tuesday?! If you were able to join us for our 25th Anniversary Celebration of Stories lunch or dinner: thank you! Our team (though tired) is still feeling the excitement from all of the amazing conversations, the delicious food, the music, and the community. If you weren't able to join us: we missed you and wanted to include you in this recap!
Though I have so many favorite moments from Tuesday, here are some that I'm still thinking about today:
- The words of ASJ co-founder Carlos Hernandez's son, coming to us across the years and the miles, reminding us that even in the face of injustice we just have to "keep going forward".
- Hearing the updates from ASJ co-founder, Kurt Verbeek, about how ASJ's efforts ensured that 2 million public school kids in Honduras got 187 days of school and 170 days of school lunch last year.
- Sending only 2.5 bags of trash to the landfill across both of our events (serving more than 500 people) thanks to our volunteers and Neland Ave Church. The rest was recycled or composted!
- 360 of us singing Happy Birthday to ASJ-US to celebrate 25 years of doing justice in Honduras!
- Together, raising more than $136,000 (and counting)!
That's right, you read that last one correctly.
Because of your generosity, we raised more than $136,000 together - meaning that we met our $100,000 match and will be sending at least $236,000 to ASJ-Honduras to support and advance our shared work for justice!
For context, this is enough to fund almost 50% of our education program work for an entire year. Incredible!
Even though you all obliterated our goal, we are still accepting donations for this event. If you weren't able to join us or know someone else who would love to support the work of ASJ, you can click the button below to help add to our total. What do you think - can we send $250,000 to Honduras?
Our caterer, Antojitos Veracruzanos Rincon Catracho, delivered an unforgettable Honduran dinner! Their restaurant is local (1802 28th St SW, Wyoming, MI 49519), so If you liked what you tasted on Tuesday, make sure to visit soon for more!
We want to thank our corporate sponsors for coming alongside us this year!
Earlier this month, The Banner published a story written by Our Shared Ministr y by Karina Guevara and Elmer Salinas . The authors showcase the work that ASJ-Honduras is doing to help and support students in Honduras. Karina and Elmer tell the story of Genesis Garcia, an 8-year-old, whose family struggles to find consistent jobs. "Genesis Garcia Baquedano is 8 years old and lives with her older brother, Anderson, and their parents in Honduras. Her parents work hard to support their family. Genesis’s father is a painter who struggles to find consistent work, and her mother is a street vendor who spends long hours away from home." According to Karina and Elmer, although Genesis is a good student, she was struggling with reading, writing, and math. This is where the ASJ-Hondurans' program, Strong Communities , comes to be a blessing. "Through God’s grace, Genesis and her family were able to join the Strong Communities program facilitated by World Renew’s local partner, Association for a More Just Society (ASJ, because the Spanish translation is Asociación para una Sociedad más Justa). Through the program, Genesis attended academic support sessions, where she impressed her tutors with her perseverance and enthusiasm. Now, Genesis’s teachers praise the program for the significant progress Genesis has been making at school." We are blessed to be able to help kids like Genesis and her family to be able to achieve their dreams and goals. You can read the full story HERE and learn more about the ASJ-Honduras Strong communities program HERE
MY EMPTY VILLAGE / HOW IMMIGRATION AFFECTS A COMMUNITY (by Sara Pineda)
Young Hondurans have stepped up for democracy (by Blanca Stephanie Elvir)
Reflecting on 25 years of seeking justice together (by Jo Ann Van Engen)
From the Executive Director
What does paused international aid mean for ASJ?
Something Worth Waiting For
Will you walk with us for a more just society?
The beauty of doing justice in community
What I've Been Thinking About the Past Week
