Annual Report 2021
For MCC in the United States
Greetings from MCC U.S. executive director
Where we work
Raising support in new ways
"We realized that at a time when MCC needed funds more than ever, relief sales were being canceled...We felt that we needed to do something to help with the funds, even though it wouldn’t be our traditional sale.”
- Brenda Latulippe, chair, Ohio Mennonite Relief Sale & Auction board
As COVID-19 made large gatherings impossible, organizers across the U.S. found creative ways to keep the spirit of relief sales alive and to raise money for MCC. In Kidron, Ohio, volunteers like Sandy Miller sold barbecue chicken dinners. Drive-thru food events, virtual auctions, outdoor concerts and more brought in thousands of dollars for MCC’s work around the world.
This is just one way that MCC supporters have given generously to make a difference in communities across the globe. See how you can help.
Pivoting to meet urgent needs
"Before, we ate only once a day. After the support, we could eat three times a day."
- Etaferaw Anke, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
When COVID-19 lockdowns began in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, families such as Etaferaw Anke and her 16-year-old daughter Edelawit Mikiyas had no way to earn a living. However, MCC partner Beza Community Development Association shifted from providing tutoring for teens like Mikiyas to distributing food to 300 families from May to September 2020.
Your gifts make a difference where needed most around the world.
Responding to disasters
"As Anabaptists, we say service is our practice. Now is the time to serve. This is the moment to serve with the Central American people – just loving those who are in need in the name of Jesus Christ."
- César Flores, MCC area director for Central America and Haiti (serving with his wife Lizette Miranda)
Disasters don’t stop for a pandemic, and neither does the work of MCC. After two hurricanes struck Central America in November 2020, MCC responded alongside local Anabaptist churches. In San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Judith Lemus (from left), Andy Aguilar and Nallely Cabrera distribute baleadas, bean, egg and sour cream burritos, at a shelter. Lemus, who was evacuated from her home, became an integral volunteer at the shelter.
Helping build brighter futures
"I was able to achieve my dream that I thought would never be fulfilled...I am more optimistic knowing that tomorrow will bring good things."
- Participant, MCC livelihoods project in Syria, name not used for security reasons
With the support of donors like you, training and grants that MCC provided in Syria through the Middle East Council of Churches helped people like this craftsman. His home and furniture refinishing workshop were destroyed, but through this project he was able to get new tools and restart his business.
Your gifts contribute to work in food, water, education and more.
Working for peace and understanding
"I will surely bring these lessons learned along with me on my journey as I contribute to peace and community development.”
- Naiy Xiong, MCC peace club, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Through MCC peace club Mittiphab, which means friendship in the Lao language, volunteers such as university student Naiy Xiong led group discussions about respect and peacebuilding with high school students in Lao People's Democratic Republic. As they did, their own understandings of and commitment to nonviolent conflict resolution continued to grow.
MCC at work in the U.S. during COVID-19
Amid the challenges of COVID-19, MCC workers, volunteers and programs across the U.S. shifted to meet urgent needs.
We are so thankful for all who generously shared their time and resources in this complex and difficult year.
Serving alongside churches
In Brooklyn, New York, MCC U.S. Summer Service participant Diana Rodriguez, right, shown with Denise Haggins, brought new energy to an online youth gardening program of Radical Living, a community organization connected to Manhattan Mennonite Fellowship.
Reaching out to students
In Chicago, an MCC grant helped River City Community Development Center provide a spot for remote learning for students like these (names not shared because of center policy). Former MCC U.S. Summer Service participants joined staff in helping students.
Providing food to those in need
In places from California to Florida, MCC joined local churches and groups to provide food to those hardest hit by COVID-19 lockdowns. In Fresno, California, 3,000 pounds of MCC canned meat went into food boxes distributed by volunteers like these shown.
Canning meat for the world
Despite the logistical challenges of spacing volunteers and ever-changing pandemic restrictions, participants canned meat for MCC in North Newton, Kansas, just one example of how so many rallied to support MCC’s ministries around the world.
Financials
