This month’s Thought Leader article is written by Mike Iverson, the new chair of New AP’s Board of Directors. Mike is the CEO of Trillium Financial and has been volunteering with New American Pathways for the past seven years. We are grateful for the time he has given to helping refugees and Georgia thrive!
The year is coming to an end and many of us are ready to finish up 2020! Without even trying I seem to take stock of my life around this time, and to reflect on my past, enjoy the present, and dream about the coming year. It’s a time for me to give thanks and be grateful for family, friends, business colleagues, and our community.
Speaking of community….what a privilege to volunteer with New American Pathways for the past 7 years and counting. I am inspired by stories of brave souls making the trip to the United States to start a new life of freedom and opportunity. I have been honored to be a part of the mentoring program at New American Pathways and built a relationship with my mentee offering him career advice of course, and also a relationship between our families. This friendship has given me and my family the chance to learn about traditions from his home country of Rwanda. We share stories of what we have to be grateful for and our hopes for the future.
December 1st is Georgia Gives Day and is the time to make an impact through an organization that provides critical solutions and support. I hope you will consider a donation. I strongly believe in the mission of New American Pathways and the life changing work this organization does day in and day out. This is a team of dedicated people – many of whom immigrated to the United States and became model citizens. Please consider a donation no matter the amount because it all makes a difference. You can give to New American Pathways here.
May your days be filled with an attitude of gratitude for the simpler things in life and your heart of generosity open up this season of giving.