Wisdom in the Wild: The Friendship of Service
To serve another human being is not a matter of merely addressing their needs, but of recognizing their dignity and walking alongside them in shared humanity.
– Ismael Hernandez, Rethinking Charity: Restoring Dignity to Poverty Relief
Dr. Brooks Crofoot, my neighbor and a retired emergency room doctor, exemplifies this truth in action. Though his career in medicine was marked by responding to emergencies, Brooks has always nurtured a quieter passion: linguistics. As a hobbyist linguist and author of Exploring English Morphology, Brooks has dedicated years to studying languages. Even in retirement, he continues to practice German weekly with a friend. This deep interest in language and communication found a meaningful outlet when Alma arrived at my house from Guatemala on June 4. Just three days later, Brooks began tutoring her in English.
Three days a week, Brooks walked around the corner to my house, where Alma greeted him warmly with, “Hello, my teacher!” Without missing a beat, Brooks set up his easel and gathered his teaching materials. Alma didn’t know a lick of English when they began, so Brooks started with the basics: simple vocabulary words, colors, and common phrases. Gradually, he introduced her to the building blocks of English grammar—tenses, sentence structure, and more. Their lessons were intense and focused, but they were also sprinkled with laughter over quirky Spanish-to-English mix-ups. One time, Alma burst out laughing when she realized she had proudly told Brooks she had cooked her "feet" for dinner—confusing the Spanish word pies (feet) with the English word "pies."
Brooks often marveled at Alma’s determination and positivity. “She’s such a quick learner,” he’d say, always impressed by how she balanced work, life, and her studies. And along the way, Alma helped Brooks dust off his Spanish, sharing some unique Guatemalan phrases and even bringing her homemade tortillas to share with Brooks and his wife, Nan. Their relationship was a refreshing exchange, built on mutual respect and admiration.
As their lessons continued, Alma shared her dream of becoming a nurse, knowing that learning English was an essential first step—not only to communicate effectively but even just to apply for a program. Recognizing her determination, Brooks went a step further. One day, he accompanied Alma to our local Ivy Tech campus, where they learned more about the nursing program requirements. This moment marked a tangible step toward her dream.
By the end of their sessions, Alma could hold simple conversations and understand instructions at work—a huge milestone in her new life. More than just her language skills improved—her confidence blossomed. She no longer hesitated to greet neighbors or ask questions. Alma often said that Brooks didn’t just teach her English—he helped her feel at home in a new country.
When Alma’s workplace, Envel Facade, began offering English classes twice a week, her lessons with Brooks came to a natural close. Their bond, however, endures as a testament to the power of friendships forged through service—friendships that embody the heart of Project Dignity’s mission.
Join Us in "Wisdom in the Wild"
Brooks’s story is just one example of how Project Dignity’s volunteers make a difference. Our "Wisdom in the Wild" initiative pairs passionate individuals with refugees, fostering practical skills and deep connections. These moments of shared humanity remind us that true service is never simply transactional—it is transformational.
If you’re inspired by Brooks’s story, consider joining our "Wisdom in the Wild" initiative. Together, we can create more moments of shared growth and genuine connection.