Valley Forge, PA (06/20/2025)—Summer vacation time is difficult for Burmese children living in Indianapolis. Due to financial constraints, many of them cannot participate in camps, summer schools, or other traditional programs in the area. Disconnection from peer groups and support systems means that they often struggle with keeping their English and math skills active.

VALLEY FORGE, PA (05/27/2025)—“I was born in the Manzanar camp in January 1944,” said Bill Watanabe, a member of the Evergreen Baptist Church San Gabriel Valley, a Japanese American congregation in La Puente, Calif. His parents—farmers who had worked in the San Fernando Valley—and three older brothers were incarcerated there in March 1942. In September 1942, Bill’s older brother Takeshi passed away. He had serious medical needs that could not be addressed in the camp, which, coupled with low-quality, generic food and harsh desert climate, caused him to become weaker and die at the age of two.

VALLEY FORGE, PA (05/12/2025)—As of April 2025, the situation in Myanmar (also known as Burma), which operates under a military regime, has become a full-blown humanitarian and political crisis. Since the military took over in a 2021 coup, the country has been in turmoil. Armed resistance has spread, and violence has escalated. Even after an earthquake struck in March 2025—and the junta promised a ceasefire—the military continued launching deadly attacks, including airstrikes and shelling that have killed civilians.

VALLEY FORGE, PA (04/22/2025)—Across the United States, many Haitian Baptist congregations and fellowships minister to Haitian Americans' spiritual and cultural needs. These faith communities are concentrated in states with substantial Haitian populations, such as Florida, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

VALLEY FORGE, PA (04/22/2025)—Even though the United States did not have an official language at the federal level, that changed on March 1, 2025, when Donald Trump issued an executive order making English the official language in the country. Although the primacy of English is diminishing, it is the first language for 78 percent of Americans, and Spanish is the first language for 13 percent. For immigrants from countries like Haiti, the ability to speak English is paramount to succeeding and feeling at home. It increases employment and educational opportunities, helps with daily communication and social integration, and facilitates civic participation.

VALLEY FORGE, PA (03/28/2025)—Michelle, a rancher at Rainbow Acres, loves working with animals. An avid horseback rider, she cleans stalls, grooms the horses, and feeds them. Her favorite horses are called Rocky and Bianca. She also cares for donkeys, goats, ponies, and bunnies. In addition, she works in the kitchen at Rainbow Acres and at a local hotel where she is a housekeeper. In her spare time, she hangs out with her friends and boyfriend, Daniel. Michelle is excited about her upcoming move to independent housing on campus; she is learning to manage her finances to that end. She has been at Rainbow Acres for eleven years. Working is her favorite activity!