Helmi’s Story
Helmi came to the United States in 1976 with her husband, three year old daughter and two suitcases. Being an interracial couple with no credit, no former address, no family or friends in the US, it was impossible for her to rent an apartment. She had no choice but to move in with another family in the Robin Hood Apartment complex.
St. Columba Presbyterian Church was down the street from the complex. They offered a Women’s Group and childcare options, which was a Godsend for her family. While there, she met the Pastors, Nibs and Caroline, and for the first time someone gave her hope that it would get better. The Pastors helped her secure housing, provided transportation and anything else Helmi and her family needed. In return, Helmi offered to do office work for the Pastors, allowing Helmi and her family to get back on their feet.
She made a commitment to stay with the mission of St. Columba, to help those who could not help themselves. She realized that the US may not be the land of a million opportunities, but it sure is the land of kind and caring people, and for that she is thankful. Without your support, St. Columba’s work to help people like Helmi could not be done.