My club, the Edison Visionary Lions, knows the power of community. Throughout our home base in Edison, New Jersey, we work hard to foster deep roots with our neighbors and believe in the power of service—especially when it comes to helping others in need.

Over the last year, our club has been a proud participant of the Engage to Change pilot co-sponsorship initiative available across the United States. This experience has been unlike any other we’ve done together as a club. Through this initiative, we’ve had the unique opportunity to welcome not one, but two refugee families into our community.

Working with these families has been a life-changing experience for us all. Originally from Afghanistan, the parents and their children—ranging in age from toddlers to teenagers—have experienced immense tumult and uncertainty. Now that they’re settled here in their new homes, our club came together to make their experience as welcoming and positive as we could.