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Empowering English Language Learners
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News & Events
2019 Banquet Results
Haven't had a chance to join us in our Vision for 2020? There's still time! We asked for and what we've received: 20 churches increase their engagement - 9 expressed interest 20 new monthly donors - 3 new monthly donors, 12 promised, 6 interested, 3 business...
Real Life with Real People
Lack of language affects more than what meets the eye. Not being able to say; “hello, how are you?” is one thing. Not being able to help your family meet their basic needs is a whole other issue. This summer, our American School Evening program is striving to help...
You Learned THAT in school??
Yusef asked as he watched his wife, Kazima. She’d leaned in toward their preteen son, looked him right in the eye, and told him, “It’s okay to feel angry, but it’s not okay to yell and throw things.” She took a breath. “But if you want, you can ask to walk away for a...
Largest Church Offering
Our dream of a permanent home for all the programs of Water for Ishmael continues to take shape. We were absolutely floored that Findlay E-Free Church cared so much to adopt our building need as their special Christmas project. They raised $43,768! Did you know that...
More Motivated Students
The halls were filled with warm greetings and lots of hugs as women and children gathered to register for “Spring” classes. As of this writing, 44 ladies are enrolled for the current semester with 31 of their preschool children for our morning program. Our evening...
Directions to the5
Drive to DSW at the Franklin Park Mall (Sylvania Avenue side), drive up the ramp beside DSW, go through the parking garage and come out to the parking lot by the movie theater. There is an orange building across the parking lot from the movie theater. Go to the orange...
Celebrating Amir’s Successes
This is Amir. His family of 7 moved here from Sudan a year ago this summer. Each member of his family is enrolled in one of our programs and they have been with us through their first summer, fall, winter, and now spring. Amir is an accountant but wasn’t able to find...
Conversation Topics for CP
Thanks to all the Americans who decided to befriend an international! We hope you are having some great conversations! Click on any of the topics below to help you think of new things to talk about. Body Language Conflict Creativity Dreams Encouragement Have you...
Water for Ishmael featured by Munn Wealth
Water for Ishmael from Camelot Portfolios, LLC on Vimeo.
We hired a refugee!
“Haidar” was embedded with American troops as a translator when threats forced him and his family to flee. Little by little, Lucas County is becoming “home” for them. Everyone is learning English and “Haidar” is now enrolled at Owens College. We are excited to...
“He is now one of the most important people in my life”
Kroger Rewards
You can donate 5% of all that you spend at Kroger just by signing up Water for Ishmael as your Kroger Rewards recipient. It's free to you and it benefits our refugee and immigrant students! So here's how you do it: If you don't have a card, go to Kroger and pick one...
They need a safe place…
Dear Friend of WFI: Recently, our staff spent some time reflecting on the 24 hours before Christ's death. Everything about it was dark and void of any hope. How could anyone in that moment have known that God was in complete control, achieving victory over death and...
Conversation Topics
Tell me About... Tell me about something you love? Tell me about something you hate? Tell me about something you really care about? Tell me about someone you dislike? Tell me about a dream you've had? Tell me about a goal you have? Tell me about yourself? Tell me...
We look horrible…
From a distance, we Americans can look horrible. Many international students come to the United States with a less than fantastic view of what Americans are like. Many have only seen what Americans are like through what their news highlights and the movies that come...
Dancing in Jaffa at TIFF
Water for Ishmael is co-sponsoring the film, Dancing in Jaffa, at the Toledo International Film Festival on Saturday, January 23rd, 7pm at The Ohio Theatre (3112 Lagrange St, Toledo) Come join us for a family friendly event! Learn more about Dancing in Jaffa. Order...
University students house refugee in Toledo
Syrian Refugee FeatureFor our students, kindness crosses cultural borders. Watch how these two senior engineering students are helping a Syrian refugee. Posted by The University of Toledo on Thursday, December 10, 2015
Do you ever wonder what our students of other religions say about us?
Very sweet envelope I received in the mail last night. Almost 5 years ago when I was newcomer to the US,hadn't started school yet nor working I registered for summer classes in American School for Women and Children(ASFWC). Only three weeks were enough to be in love...
A prayer in response to Paris
God, we pray for the people of Paris. Give comfort to the injured, the terrified, and the families who are going through deep and senseless loss. Restore safety. God, these acts are evil. Guard our hearts from hate and a desire for revenge. Give us the mind of Christ,...