In July 2009, volunteer Devra Filler encountered some Bhutanese refugees struggling to grow crops on a plot of land in the Holladay Community Garden.

"I realized they were trying to grow a garden with no tools, Filler said. So with the help of some friends, I quickly gathered shovels, gloves and shoes."

Filler thanked her friends for their donations, and assumed her good deed was finished. However, her journey with the Bhutanese refugees was just beginning.

Filler found herself wondering about the refugees and what else they might need to navigate their new life in Utah. She continued to visit the gardens, and despite a tough language barrier, became friends with two of the gardeners. They introduced Filler to their CCS case manager, Keshab, who encouraged Filler to become an official refugee mentor for CCS.

Filler has logged hundreds of volunteer hours since July, and CCS has assigned her four different Bhutanese families.

"As a mentor, I help with everything from explaining American grocery stores to attending parent-teacher conferences, Filler said. However, the best part of mentoring is making new friends who share with you the joys and trials of daily life."

In addition to spending her personal time with refugee families, Filler has her workplace in on the act. In lieu of exchanging gifts this past holiday season, her co-workers collected toilet paper and diapers for CCS families in need.

Filler says these past six months have changed her life. She never dreamt donating a few shovels would lead her to meet and befriend a new community of people.