If you want to see what bridgebuilding looks like in America today, spend a day at the Refugee Summer Camp hosted by Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Santa Fe. As I stepped into a meetinghouse of the Church of the Latter-day Saints in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the space was filled with the scent of spices, the hum of sewing machines, and the sound of children playing. I was immediately moved.
This summer camp has operated annually for years, run by Russol Abdelfatah, a refugee herself who resettled with support from Catholic Charities herself in 2014. Today, the camp runs Tuesday and Thursdays throughout the summer, bringing together families from a variety of Arab, Afghan, and African nations. The days are filled with activities for kids, teens, middle schoolers, and older adults, ranging from cooking and sewing to budgeting, painting, and personal hygiene classes. It’s a full schedule, and while I knew this was a special place, it wasn’t because of all the activities. It was because of the people involved.
The Power of Bridgebuilding
At the heart of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Santa Fe’s work is a commitment to fostering a sense of oneness — a belief that every person deserves to feel seen, valued, and connected. This mission echoes the work to honor the inherent dignity in each person, a central tenant of Catholic Social Teaching. The Refugee Summer Camp offered a powerful expression of this mission through its partnership with the Team Up Project, an initiative from Interfaith America, Catholic Charities USA, Habitat for Humanity International, and the YMCA that champions bridgebuilding in service work, provided the perfect opportunity for the agency to live out this mission.
Part of what made this camp special was how it enabled the Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Santa Fe to advance their mission through bridgebuilding. This camp is unique because of its combination of attendees, hosts, and organizers. Though the camp primarily served Muslim refugee families, it was hosted at a Latter-day Saints (LDS) church and members didn’t just offer space — they volunteered their time, provided transportation, taught classes, and offered support wherever it was needed.
One of my favorite parts of the camp was lunchtime — each day, two families were invited to prepare a meal for everyone, using a gift card provided by the program. On the day I visited, an Afghan family took the lead, sharing a fragrant dish called Chicken Korma. The aroma filled the room long before the food was served — warm spices, simmering onions, and tender chicken ready for all to enjoy as children ran around the space, curious and excited.
This meal was a beautiful symbol of what the camp represents: coming together, learning from one another, and building a community where everyone belongs.
But I quickly learned it wasn’t just about the food — it was about the moment. This simple act of sharing a meal became a bridge, connecting people across differences. It was a time when everyone was equal, gathered around the same table, nourished by generosity and tradition. And what made it even more meaningful was that the families weren’t just cooking to feed others, they were offering a piece of themselves, their heritage, and their hospitality. In doing so, they were living out their culture and values, building relationships, and honoring the dignity of those around them.
This meal was a beautiful symbol of what the camp represents: coming together, learning from one another, and building a community where everyone belongs.
Why Bridgebuilding Matters
Attendees, volunteers, and participants of this camp weren’t connecting despite their differences or by setting them aside — they were embracing bridgebuilding as a way to live out their faith, make meaningful connections, and honor the dignity of every person in their community. Reflecting on the day, a participant shared that: “having to meet [people] of other cultures changes your perspective, it helps me know how I can treat other people better, and it helps me on how to be a great listener, and it helps on how to treat different people.”
Through spending a day at the Refugee Summer Camp hosted by Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Santa Fe, I saw how bridgebuilding is not simply a theme. It is a practice that can be woven into our relationships, an invitation to live out our values, and a good that enhances our communities.
In a world often marked by division, this camp offered a glimpse of what’s possible when we choose connection. It showed that bridgebuilding isn’t just a strategy—it’s a way of being. And when communities commit to it, they don’t just change programs; they change lives. As Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Santa Fe continues this work, and as other Catholic Charities agencies across the network deepen their own bridgebuilding efforts, the ripple effects will continue. It reminds me that belonging is built, not found. And it reminds us that we each have a role to play in creating it.
Adunni Arogbodo is the Manager, Team Up Program for Catholic Charities USA.
