Solidarity

In the fall of 2000, eight college students gathered in a tiny apartment and began
a conversation. It centered on how to bring the Kingdom of Heaven to their community.
These conversations continued each week as they began asking questions and exploring
different avenues to incarnating the teachings of Jesus. These students knew what to
believe; but they wanted to know how to live. So they responded by simply trying
to help and love others. People started sharing stories, telling friends and co-workers
and these conversations began tapping into deep reservoirs within many of their hearts.
They wanted to help. They wanted to love. They too wanted to respond.

This is the Solidarity creation story. The people gathered and began praying for
direction. And in a few months' time, as they prayed they discovered an opportunity
to love just four blocks from their campus. This opportunity was at the Garnet
Community Center. For over three years now, volunteers have been living out those
conversations with the people of Garnet. Through tutoring, computer courses,
aerobics classes, clothing and food drives, the volunteers of Solidarity have
had the privilege to learn, to share and to bring the Kingdom to Garnet. Today,
we are committed to Glorifying God, and building His Kingdom and invite you to share
in the continuing conversation of how to move Christians to an understanding of purpose.

We work and live in a low income Latino neighborhood that we call the Gem District
in Fullerton, California. 90% of our people are first generation Hispanics whose
primary language is Spanish. We also have people from other Latin American
countries such as Peru, Guatemala and El Salvador. We are privileged to experience
the food and culture of Latin America through our relationships here at the Garnet
Neighborhood Center. We also serve the Church and Christian individuals through
teaching, preaching, service projects, mission's trainings and through partnerships
that help Churches develop their outreach programs.