Get Involved
At Water for Ishmael
Do you have a heart for internationals?
Do you want to learn more about other cultures?
Is hospitality your spiritual gift?
Does your church or organization want to get involved in local missions?
Do you or does your church want to invest time and resources in making the world a more peaceful and just place to live?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, Water for Ishmael is for you!
There are many ways to get involved at Water for Ishmael
Volunteering
Water for Ishmael relies on the generosity of our volunteers who give of their time to serve internationals in our community. Volunteers at Water for Ishmael help in many ways, from teaching elective classes to assisting teachers in the classroom to clerical work. You can make a big difference in the lives of internationals by volunteering at Water for Ishmael!
ASW American School Women
ASW is a women-only school for internationals to learn English, build community, and hear stories from God’s Word. Volunteers in ASW teach elective classes like grammar, newspaper reading, and sewing, among others, and provide assistance in the classroom. By volunteering in ASW, you can play a vital role in helping international women become independent, self-confident members of our community. If you have a heart for international women, or just want to volunteer in a lively, multicultural environment, you can volunteer in ASW! To learn more about becoming an ASW volunteer, contact us at https://waterforishmael.org/contact/.
ASE American School Evening
ASE is an English school for men and women that meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30pm to 9pm. By volunteering in ASE, you can support internationals who are improving their English skills to pursue their personal and professional goals or just to integrate better into our community. ASE volunteers help out in the classroom, clerical work, and provide moral support and friendship to internationals. To learn more about becoming a volunteer in ASE, contact us at https://waterforishmael.org/contact/.
ASC American School Children
ASC is a unique school for children! International and native-born children from 6 weeks old through pre-kindergarten learn alongside one another in a lively, fun environment. Volunteers assist ASC teachers by holding babies, playing with toddlers, singing with preschoolers, or just being an extra set of hands and eyes in the classroom. Volunteers must pass a background check in order to serve in ASC. To learn more about becoming a volunteer in ASC, contact us at https://waterforishmael.org/contact/.
ASK American School Kids
ASK provides homework help to school-age international children and helps build stronger relationships between international children and their teachers. Volunteers play a vital role in helping students understand and complete assignments while students adjust to doing schoolwork in English. Do you have a heart for education? Would you like to provide international kids with the extra boost they need to succeed in school? ASK is a great place for you to volunteer! To find out more about volunteering in ASK, contact us at https://waterforishmael.org/contact/.
THIP Toledo International Hospitality Program
Through TIHP, community families invite international students from the University of Toledo to spend time with them throughout the academic year, usually getting together around once a month. TIHP allows local families to practice hospitality with international students, gathering for a meal or doing other fun activities like going to the zoo, attending a sporting event, or celebrating holidays. To find out more about becoming a TIHP volunteer, contact us at https://waterforishmael.org/contact/.
CP Conversation Partners
Conversation Partners is part of Water for Ishmael’s partnership with Global Opportunities at the University of Toledo (GO-UT). Native English speakers spend time with international students at the University of Toledo helping students to improve their English skills through simple conversations. Would you like to meet international students while helping them improve their English? To find out more about participating in Conversation Partners, contact us at https://waterforishmael.org/contact/.
GIVING
Water for Ishmael relies on the gifts of individual donors and churches to serve the international community of Toledo. We are not government funded and less than 20% of our annual budget comes from grants. By operating through the generosity of individuals like YOU, Water for Ishmael is helping the church be the church! And by giving generously to Water for Ishmael, you can follow the Scriptural command to love the foreigner (or stranger) as you would love yourself (Leviticus 19:34).
Your gifts to Water for Ishmael ensure that:
- Internationals “connect, belong, and become” finding a welcoming community that shares the hope and love of Jesus with them and empowers them with skills to become successful.
- Internationals learn English and find their voice in American society.
- Internationals find jobs and move into meaningful career paths.
- Internationals have the skills necessary to earn a driver’s license, access healthcare, local libraries, and other services, volunteer in our community, and participate fully in the life of their new country.
- Water for Ishmael can hire the staff needed to teach our classes, develop our mission, and advocate for internationals in our community.
- Water for Ishmael can meet our many other operating expenses.
To become a donor to Water for Ishmael, click here: https://waterforishmael-bloom.kindful.com/.
To contact Water for Ishmael about giving through stocks, retirement funds, or other methods of giving, or if you have questions about giving to Water for Ishmael, contact us here: https://waterforishmael.org/contact/.
Taking a Tour
We love visitors at Water for Ishmael! Visitors get to see Water for Ishmael’s work in action, meeting international students, talking with staff, and seeing all the interesting things going on at Water for Ishmael. To schedule a tour of Water for Ishmael, located at 20 Arco Drive in Toledo, please contact us by clicking here: https://waterforishmael.org/contact/.
Got Questions?
We’d be happy to answer them! Please contact us with any questions you may have regarding Water for Ishmael at https://waterforishmael.org/contact/. We look forward to hearing from you!