Point Loma Nazarene University’s community ministry group THRIVE partners with Kupanda Kids to provide weekly tutoring to refugee children in San Diego.
According to their website, Kupanda Kids is a community of refugee children and local mentors on a mission to support literacy, education and a better future for families in San Diego. The program provides assistance to students ranging from kindergarten to high school levels.
Gabby Starkenburg, a third-year media communication major, is a leader of THRIVE. She has been volunteering with the group weekly since her first year at PLNU. She said she felt called to take on a leadership role when it was offered at the end of her second year. What began as a hangout with former THRIVE leader Taylor Trejo turned into a cherished opportunity to visit some of her favorite people.
THRIVE meets at Colina Del Sol Recreation Center, just outside of City Heights. The facility includes a park and field where children can play. There’s also a recreational room for tutoring and activities like crafting and painting.
“My favorite part of [being a leader] is hanging out with the kids; they’re like my best friends,” Starkenburg said.
The children who participate in THRIVE are from refugee families who have made their way to City Heights. Many of the children are from the continent of Africa, and THRIVE provides them with a fun and safe space to enjoy themselves, while also offering academic help if needed.
Lauren Krivanec, a second-year psychology major and THRIVE volunteer, said she loves the ministry group because she gets to play with children and put a smile on their faces.
“I’m here to meet the kids where they’re at, share life with them and help them with anything they need,” Krivanec said.
During a THRIVE visit on Oct. 2, Krivanec spent an afternoon pushing children on swings, playing hide and seek and making friendship bracelets – some of which she received as tokens of appreciation. One of the leaders brought a speaker and played a range of pop songs that the children and volunteers could dance to.
The bracelet-making took place in the recreation center, where tables and chairs were set up and volunteers were ready to assist. When helping a young girl make a bracelet, Starkenburg said that her connections with these children have grown stronger every week over the past two years. She said she feels lucky to give other students the same opportunity as she picks volunteers to come with her to THRIVE every week.
Each spring, PLNU ministry leadership positions become available. Although Starkenburg was thinking of studying abroad, she chose to stay and lead at THRIVE.
“This position was truly an offer from the Lord, and I knew I couldn’t pass it up,” she said. “I can travel the world any time in my life, but watching these children grow up is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
With a total of six volunteers, Starkenburg selects half returning volunteers and half new ones.
“It’s very cool to see recurring names on the sign-up list,” Starkenburg said. “You start to build intentional connections, and they just want to come and visit their friends.”
The children at Kupanda feel the same way.
“My favorite part of the week is making friendship bracelets and doing crafts with Gabby [Starkenburg],” one of the students said.
“And soccer and basketball,” another chimed in.
To become a volunteer, visit the link on their Instagram @plnucommunityministries.
Sign up lists open on Sundays, and they meet every Wednesday at 2:45 p.m.
Elly Heskett 
Andrea Wuerth 
Sydney Brammer