Jane Lundquist, Milton resident and St. Michael’s parishioner, with a student at Safe Passage in Guatemala.

This past July, Milton residents Anne Wood, Bill Mullen, Jane Lundquist, Martha Cotton, and Jillian Sceppa-Etienne traveled to Guatemala to volunteer for Safe Passage (Camino Seguro), a charitable organization providing education and after-school support for poor children whose families work in the City Garbage Dump in Guatemala City. The volunteers, who are also parishioners at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Milton, spent nine days learning about the Guatemalan culture and working with students at a local school.

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and parishioners have supported Safe Passage’s mission for more than 10 years.  The trip was made possible by fundraising efforts at the parish including used book sales, carwashes, and sales of De la Gente (From the People) Coffee (DLG Coffee.org).  Parishioners are committed to world outreach and to bringing hope, education, and opportunity to children and families living in extreme poverty.

Each day, Safe Passage provides more than 550 children and 100 parents with education, social services, and the chance to move beyond the poverty their families have faced for generations.  The Safe Passage School boasts a library of 1000 books, and almost 500 people have participated in adult literacy classes. Since 2007, 111 children have graduated from high school, and the organization has made it possible for women to become entrepreneurs by selling crafts and goods to support their families.

For more information on supporting Safe Passage or St. Michael’s Episcopal Church volunteer opportunities, contact the church office at 617-698-1813, or [email protected] or visit safepassage.org.