"We do have to comply with the laws and yet the heart has to come into the picture," explains Adolph.

Following last year's federal immigration raids in Northern Colorado, Adolph gathered members of his church to reach out to migrants in Greeley. "Last year he went out to one of the migrant camps and took some other men from our church and gathered them out there and started to form relationships with the (migrants). The next thing you know he's coming to our church and saying… we need to provide these guys with some more clothes and stuff," said Russell York, the pastor of Journey Christian Church in Greeley.

Much of Adolph's attention is focused on the children of the migrant workers. Nine years ago he saw a need in the community and decided to act. "I found out that the migrant kids were receiving used toys for Christmas. I didn't think that was a good idea."

Adolph spoke to his friends, community and business leaders and came up with the idea for a Christmas Migrant Fiesta. The first year about 150 gifts were given away at the event. This December the program made Christmas brighter for thousands of kids. "The generosity of the community is really incredible," Adolph said.

A year later, Adolph recognized that these students also needed to be encouraged academically. He helped create a new event to celebrate their achievements in school. Last Friday about 100 students from 13 school districts in Northern Colorado were honored during the 8th Annual Migrant Student and High School Graduation Celebration. "It's very important because education is the key to success. Without education, they're very limited."

Adolph continued, "We hope all of them will graduate from High School and go to college."

He says it's especially gratifying to see the impact the award ceremony has on the family of the children. "You've got to see their parents, the gleam they have. These parents work very hard for their kids. When they see this, it really does something for them and keeps them involved in the school system."

This year Adolph was able to raise $5,500 in scholarships and hopes that will help a child like others helped him. "I know where they're coming from. I can relate because I have a similar background and experience."

While Adolph's father came to the country legally, he knows the hardships a migrant family can face. "He's grown up in hard times. A migrant himself, he grew up experiencing poverty," said Russell York.


Adolph hopes to continue to grow these programs to help even more migrant children. "I wish we could reach all the kids in Colorado… all the migrant kids in Colorado. Of course, there are more than migrant families that need help. While you can't do everything for everybody, if we all help a little bit it accomplishes much."