Open Arms Hispanic Ministry expands into Akron
A commissioning service was held Oct. 6 at Orrville’s Crown Hill Mennonite Church for Rollin Mukanza, middle, as Open Arms’ community development worker to lead Open Arms Akron, a new pilot program to serve immigrants in Akron with a specific focus on refugees from Congo. Open Arms Hispanic Ministry operates out of Orrville and serves the Latino community in Wayne County and surrounding counties.
Open Arms Hispanic Ministry, which operates out of Orrville and serves the Latino community in Wayne County and surrounding counties, recently announced the hire of community development worker Rollin Mukanza, who will lead Open Arms Akron, a new pilot program to serve immigrants in Akron with a specific focus on refugees from Congo.
Mukanza brings years of experience to this new project. Originally from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, he has lived in Akron since 1996. Mukanza has a psychology and a business administration degree and has spent many years serving the immigrant community in Akron. He spent nine years working with the International Institute of Akron in the field of refugee resettlement.
During his tenure with the International Institute, Mukanza assisted the newcomers in numerous ways to help them get settled and adapt to life in North America. With Open Arms he will be able to serve the immigrant community of Akron in a faith-based perspective.
“I am excited and grateful to join Open Arms,” Mukanza said. “Join me in prayers so that God guides and leads me to use all the spiritual gifts he has given me to serve and accompany immigrants as they adjust, integrate and thrive in Akron and surrounding areas. I also pray that we develop Open Arms Akron to be a successful and sustainable expansion.”
Open Arms had its unofficial start in 1999 serving Latino immigrants. After returning from the mission field in Mexico, founder Raul Tadeo served as pastor in Wayne County but quickly found translating and assisting Latino immigrants was taking much of his time. In 2001 Open Arms Hispanic Ministry was officially launched and has expanded its services.
Tadeo has since retired, but today Open Arms continues to serve Latino immigrants in Wayne and surrounding counties, helping immigrants transition into the community with translation services, assisting with medical appointments, school enrollment for children and a tutoring program.
A quarter-century later, Open Arms Akron represents the first time services have been expanded outside the Latino community.
“When Open Arms grows, Open Arms gives more,” said Pablo Delgado, Open Arms executive director. “By expanding our reach, we not only impact more lives, but also strengthen the foundation of our mission: ensuring that hope in Jesus can touch every corner of our clients and friends’ lives.”
The estimated cost for the first year of operation of Open Arms Akron is around $60,000. Open Arms has secured a $30,000 matching grant and is seeking donations for the balance. Donations can be made online at open-arms.us/donate/, or checks can be written to Open Arms, 1305 W. Market St., Orrville, OH 44667.