A Word from the President

Dear supporters,

I am very proud of our staff and the work they accomplished this year so please allow me to share some of those things with you.

Danielle Mendoza, our creative writer, has consistently put out content for you on social media and in email blasts while balancing college full-time and providing for her family in Elmhurst. She works with Noemi Cordova on City Sisters which helps local teenage girls and non-binary youths to connect and share their struggles, insecurities, and fears while being empowered by local women. In addition, she also meets with local high schools to empower youth through our youth program, GYLT (Get Your Life Together). I love that Danielle is always honest with her thoughts, and is willing to take on any task given to her.

Our director of partnerships, Fiel Sahir, is a seminarian at RTS (Reformed Theological Seminary). He meets with the local clergy members of our community for prayer on a consistent basis and looks for ministry opportunities that others can be involved with. He also spearheads Building Blocks, a City Mission program that provides community leaders with monthly workshops that empowers and develops their ministries. You can always find him smiling and working the room when there are crowds.

Lastly, we have our director, Wei Loh (“Loh”), an Elmhurst native who accepted this position when he graduated Baruch College a couple of years ago. His natural ability to be relational with others was a great asset to City Mission. It saddens me to announce that December 23 will be his last day with us as he explores other opportunities. The board members and I are so appreciative of the programs, activities, and relationships he has cultivated with immigrants, those experiencing homelessness, and the youth. I would like to highlight a program that he started with Carmen Tan – GYLT. I remember him telling me he wished there were people that could have shown him different career paths when he was attending Newtown High School. Around the same time, he also remembered the feeling that he had at his local church when there was a strong sense of community with his peers. This inspired him to incorporate both into one program where youths are able to foster a community as they come together to explore careers and life beyond high school. This program, which started as a summer program for 15 students, is now in 6 different high schools and reaches hundreds of teenagers, leaving a lasting legacy for years to come.

I have known Loh for a decade now, and he has never once complained or given up when he was stuck in a situation. He somehow always figures it out and makes it work, which I really appreciate. Our off-site consultant, Craig Fee, and I love his passion for forming relationships and building communities. We are all going to miss him around City Mission.

With all the craziness of 2020, I have been blessed to work with this team that considered and created platforms for others, and made things work regardless of the situation. I appreciate all of you so much!

Stay uncomfortable,

Lester Lin

President