At the Columbus Adult Education Center in Herriman, miracles happen so often, it could be easy to take them for granted. Refugees and immigrants from more than two dozen countries come to the center to learn English, build community and find hope. 

It seems everything they need shows up just in time. Supplies, food and funding arrive from unexpected sources. Dozens of volunteers show up to teach classes each week. Resources and connections seemingly appear out of nowhere. 

“I’ve seen so many miracles here, it’s unbelievable,” said Columbus Adult Education Center Board President Sean Marchant. “It’s like God knows these people have been through so much and need a place where they can be safe and helped. I see miracles here every day.”

A recent miracle has been the organization’s inclusion in the Giving Machines program. It was selected by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be included in the vending-style machines where people can donate to different charities, providing funds for everything from goats to clean water to educational resources.

Near the food court at City Creek Center Plaza (50 S. Main Street) in Salt Lake City, people can find a Giving Machine and purchase an item from various charities, including the Columbus Center, with 100% of the donation going to the nonprofit selected.

Francesca Bernal and her husband, Nefi, are the unpaid directors at the Columbus Center in Herriman. Their efforts in organizing classes help hundreds of students learn to speak and read English, and several hundred more are on a waiting list to get into classes.

Bernal was born in Peru before coming to the United States when she was 11. She understands how difficult it is to assimilate into a new country and culture, and credits miracles for the program’s success at the Columbus Center. 

“For the people who attend classes here, this is home to them,” she said. “They say that this is a little piece of heaven.”

Community partnerships have been another source of miracles, with companies like TechCharities providing Chromebooks for every student in the program at a heavily discounted price. Kneaders regularly donates bakery items so students can have a snack during lessons or a loaf of bread to take home. 

Although the location in Herriman opened just over a year ago, its popularity continues to grow. Reading Horizons and English Connect classes are taught on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. until noon, and in the evenings on Monday through Thursday from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Free daycare, also run by volunteers, is available for children while parents take classes. 

Often, Marchant makes purchases without knowing how the money will show up, but it always does. He believes it's a miracle the way the community has come together, where small acts of kindness become life-changing events for people at the center. 

“We have wonderful connections with a lot of different religions and churches. It’s very faith-friendly,” Marchant said. “Including God in the process, I think, is wonderful.”

The Columbus Adult Education Center is located in Herriman at 13011 S. Pioneer Street, in the basement of the old city hall building. For more information, visit herriman.columbusaec.org.