As a special guest group, representatives from the Joni and Friends Foundation visited chapel to encourage students to get involved with their ministry, Feb. 26. They encouraged upperclassmen to look into supporting the organization by becoming a short-term missionary during spring break.

Opportunities for upperclassmen include being partnered with a disabled kid or adult, where they spend up to five days learning from the Family Retreat programs.

The organization was founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, who, at 17 years old, was paralyzed from a diving accident. Her life gave life to the organization’s goal: to persevere despite great challenges. Laura McGrew, the representative who came on campus, believes it was her faith and support that kept her moving forward.

“Joni was a 17 year-old woman, newly graduated from high school, when she broke her neck in a diving accident,” McGrew said. “The result was quadriplegia, the loss of all movement and feeling from her shoulders down. It was her faith, and the love and support of her family and friends that kept her positive and moving forward with her life.”

The foundation strives to provide the same support for as many families as they can who are affected by disability, locally and around the world in 15 different countries.

“We are an international Christian ministry that provides support and encouragement to families affected by disability,” McGrew said. “The Central California Area Ministry serves families, alongside the local church, from Bakersfield to Merced. We also provide support to churches and families in Romania.”

McGrew offers information about three different ways to help the Joni and Friends organization.

“Three possible ways {to help}: one, serve as a Short-Term Missionary at our Family Retreat during Spring Break, March 25-29,” McGrew said. “Two =, write notes of encouragement to people at the retreat, known as Joy Mail and three, organize a wheelchair drive to provide wheelchairs to disabled kids and adults in Romania.”

For more news, read the Feb. 26 article, BRIEF: Olive Garden holds essay contest.