The time is now: Defend & Build

June 6, 2025

On the day the Trump Administration announced one of its many controversial decisions, we got a reminder that even in such dark times, there is power in community. RIT volunteer, Luana told us that our client R., whom she’d been tutoring for the U.S. Citizenship Test, passed the exam! 

R.’s family sought refuge from Afghanistan through a Special Immigrant Visa for wartime allies. They joined RIT to help build their future in the U.S. Both he and his wife S. learned English in RIT’s education program: R. in the workforce preparation class, and S. in the Women’s Initiative. 

S. is currently studying for her own citizenship test, also with Luana’s support. Through her volunteer work with RIT for the past 8 years, Luana has helped several other community members to achieve the stability of U.S. citizenship. Thank you, Luana and RIT's 75 volunteers who tutor, mentor, and assist in RIT’s Education programs!

Right now, we are called to both DEFEND and BUILD. 

• Defend immigrants by connecting them to legal services and offering Know Your Rights trainings, teaching that we ALL have rights.

• Build shared communities through education and family support. The core of RIT programs for 40+ years, these services create safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces where ALL belong.

“Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world” (Universal Declaration of Human Rights)

Our refugee and immigrant community members have gone through extraordinary journeys, and continue to face extraordinary challenges. RIT focuses on long-term impact that will resonate for the rest of people’s lives, clients and volunteers alike. 

RIT brings together clients from 40 countries yearly, along with volunteers and staff from many cultures. At this time of social isolation and division, building these diverse and welcoming spaces is more critical than ever. And supporters like you are an essential part of this. 

   June is Immigrant Heritage Month in California. Help us raise $5,000 by June 30, to support RIT’s growing volunteer program so we can together defend and build shared communities!

Interested in Donor Advised Fund or Stock donations? We accept them! Contact Development@reftrans.org

• Double your Impact: ask your HR department if your workplace can match your donation (some companies match 2x!) 

• Sustain RIT through Monthly donations: choose the Monthly option on our donation form, or ask your HR about monthly payroll deduction. 

• Social media: Repost from LinkedIn (NEW!), Instagram, or Facebook. If you use other social media, feel free to use this flyer:

RIT Updates & Calls to Action

March 11, 2025

In a recent RIT Vocational English class, one of our adult students shared that his whole family is in his country of origin, and he’s here by himself. One of his classmates responded: Now we are your family here. 

This is just one example of how in RIT programs, clients are not only learning English, but building spaces of welcome and belonging. The Vocational English class welcomes students from more than 10 different countries. While learning English language skills to help prepare for jobs and careers in the Bay Area, students are also sharing and learning stories of each other’s roots and cultures. Right now, more than ever, we need to defend our rights AND also continue to build on this connectedness and mutual flourishing that already exists in our communities.

A picture collage from RIT’s Adult English program and events (2024). Students learning about Black History from one of RIT’s board members; end of the school year celebration; Women’s Day celebration; and a potluck of food from 10+ countries.

With your support, RIT continues to provide our Education, Family Engagement, and Community Leadership programs in full operational capacity. We intentionally center welcome, dignity and mutual care in all that we do. In addition to our regular services:

• RIT has hosted 10+ Know Your Rights trainings for RIT clients, volunteers, and staff in Spanish, Mam, Pashto, Dari, and Haitian Creole.

• Growing numbers of volunteers have joined RIT! 60+ volunteers are now actively supporting refugee & immigrant students and their families in the Bay Area.

• In the media: RIT’s Co-Executive Director, Jane Pak, spoke on a panel hosted by KALW and El Tímpano where she shared a message of “defend and build”.

Calls to action:

• ***Calling lawyers in RIT's network*** Are you a lawyer, current or retired? Are you concerned about the rights of immigrants and refugees at this time? We are seeking lawyers who have already been vetted through RIT's volunteer program to join RIT's rapid response team, and possibly accompany students/clients to court hearings, and other potential efforts. If you are interested to learn more, please email jyoti@reftrans.org.

• Donate

• Join the Bay Resistance Action pod. Each pod has 10-20ish members and collectively takes civic engagement actions such as showing up at marches, calling your government representatives, amplifying messages, etc. The RIT community also has a pod which will focus more on immigration related actions. If you would like to join, please email jyoti@reftrans.org.

March 8th was International Women's Day. Pictured above are the Women at RIT staff and board from 12 countries around the world. We are incredibly grateful to all the women for their knowledge, leadership, love, and care.

First RIT volunteer gathering of 2025. We played "get to know your community" game, and shared coffee and conversations. Thank you to our RIT volunteers for your continued support and engagement.

If you are already an RIT supporter or volunteer, please ask your HR representative if your workplace matches employees’ donations or volunteer hours - you can double your impact this way! 

Thank you for your care and support!

Supporting One Another Today and Tomorrow

January 21, 2025

Yesterday was a day of stark contradictions thinking about Martin Luther King Jr. and the inauguration; the words and actions of peace and nonviolence on the one hand and that of bigotry and cruelty on the other. The executive actions that the new administration promised took place en masse and with quick speed. Many we had been expecting and planning for, however, they were still shocking and extremely disturbing. The challenges ahead are immense for immigrant and LGBTQI+ communities, and the health of Mother Earth. However, MLK’s words remind us that we can choose how we move forward at this time. 

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate.
Only love can do that.” - MLK Jr.

Yesterday’s Executive Orders such as realignments of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, Declaration of National Emergency at the Southern Border of the United States, Securing our Borders, Mass Deportation, and Denial of Birthright Citizenship impacts immigrant communities and brutally violates our civil and human rights. Here's a summary of Trump’s Executive Orders by the National Immigration Law Center that provides an overview, explanation, and expected impact of the orders.

At Refugee & Immigrant Transitions, we will continue to welcome and support our communities with their long-term adjustment to the U.S. Let us choose love and light as we support one another and our communities today and tomorrow. Together, we can do this.

Rapid Response

For quick reference, here's a summary of rapid response partnerships throughout the Bay Area and phone numbers to call for ICE activity:

Alameda County Rapid Response
www.centrolegal.org/acilep
Hotline: 510-241-4011

Stand Together Contra Costa County
www.standtogethercontracosta.org
Hotline: 1-925-900-5151

San Francisco
www.sfrrn.org/rapid-response-resources.html.
For ICE activity or arrests call: 415-200-1548
SF Public Defender’s Office (Immigration Defense) call: 415-553-1671

Resharing Know Your Rights Resources and Upcoming Training!

To prepare and protect our community, we have been collecting Know Your Rights (KYR) resources and providing training to our volunteers, staff, and community. Please share these with your students, friends, and neighbors. 

• Immigrant Defense Project:

• Two-page KYR flyer in 15 languages

• East Bay Sanctuary Covenant: 

• Know Your Rights Videos in different languages with different scenarios 

• California Attorney General: 

• Know Your Immigration Rights and Protection Under the Law (You have the right to an attorney; state and local law enforcement cannot ask for your immigration status for immigration enforcement purposes; state and local law enforcement cannot assist ICE with immigration enforcement, with very limited exceptions)

• Protect Yourself from Immigration Scams

A Message from RIT: Moving into 2025

As we celebrate and connect with loved ones this holiday season, we also want to recognize the sorrow and uncertainty that many are feeling as we move into 2025. Given the recent election results and the targeting of refugee and immigrant communities, RIT is working tirelessly to prepare for a tough year ahead. And we would love your support.

RIT is hoping to reach $290,000 in donations by end of year. Currently we’re at 61% of this goal. We are deeply hopeful for your support at this critical time. (And if you’ve already supported us - thank you!!! Please consider sharing about RIT with your friends and family, and asking your employer for a match :) 

We have this video message for you - please watch & share:

“Our community’s real strength comes from supporting and growing with each other. Members with different backgrounds don’t just join the team - they help create a welcoming environment for newcomers.” -Amina, RIT Youth Leader & Mentoring Student (Ukraine) 

Your contribution will help:

• Sustain vital supports: RIT partners with 2,000 immigrants a year on long-term goals that help them adjust and thrive in the U.S.: education, employment, reducing social isolation & navigating the community. 

• Keep communities informed: ensure that RIT communities receive critical Know Your Rights information in their languages. 

• Build shared community: RIT’s volunteer program (650+ volunteers in the past 10 years) is experiencing a significant uptick of interest since the election - help meet the growing demand!

• Raise our collective voices: ensure that the perspectives of diverse RIT communities (40+ countries of origin) are represented in decisions that affect their lives.

• Converse & share: help RIT grow our public conversations and presentations to counter anti-immigrant narratives.

• Keep families safe: refuel RIT's emergency relief funds for community members affected by anti-immigrant policies.

Thank YOU for your care and support! We wish you Peace and Health this holiday season!

Learn more about how RIT is preparing for 2025: tinyurl.com/rit-moving-into-2025 
Share: Follow us on Instagram @r.i.transitions 

To our beloved community

November 7, 2024

To our beloved community,

It’s been a roller coaster of a week. From gathering on Saturday for a day of celebration, love and light to an election outcome that is instilling despair, grief and fear. It’s important in this moment to give room for all of it and to give room for one another as we each process in our own ways. As a community, we are capable of holding all of it and holding one another up.

Saturday was a day to honor our true selves and our diverse roots. It was a day to experience and feel the richness of what our communities can be when we celebrate our diversities and come together in shared community. Even while knowing what may come, it was a moment to imagine brighter futures when we work together in service of our collective communities. Folks, we can do this. We know these brighter futures are possible because we experience it every day in our communities.

1. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) altar to remember our loved ones and ancestors who have passed.
2. Diwali/Tihar altar to find light and hope in the darkness
3. Ritual by Mayan family to ask for blessing to start the event from the four directions, the land, and ancestors.
4. RIT event poster: Diverse Roots, Collective Futures
5. Sanctuary Tree to remember people in migration journey
6. Sanctuary Project printing posters for guests

Our charge now is to ensure that this does not get lost in the short term while we also keep our sights on the long term. Let us work together, support one another, and remember that feeling of joy and possibilities when we stand in solidarity with one another. Let that be our guide and that will be our future.

And for when we need those reminders, we have included some pictures and memories from the event above and below. As we hold these in our minds and remember them, we can imagine the possibilities when we work together. Let us also remember those among us who might be most impacted by forthcoming actions of the newly elected administration. With whatever extra strength or extra energy you may have, let’s share that with one another and invite others in. Together, we can do this and we can chart a path to a brighter future. In fact, we already are.

We had flower crown making, henna, face painting, pumpkin decoration, open house tours, food and drinks from around the world (Eritrea, Palestine, Cuba, and Hong Kong), and performances from Haiti, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Guatemala.

With our deepest love and gratitude.
RIT Team 

You can stay engaged by:

• Volunteering - reftrans.org/apply

• Donating - reftrans.org/give 

Impact News: Engaging Youth through Education, Job Skills & Leadership

September 27, 2024

Happy New Academic Year! 

With your support, Refugee & Immigrant Transitions (RIT) was able to run several impactful youth initiatives in the summer. Our work goes beyond academics. Based on deep conversations with students and families, we assisted with several other areas that youth identified as important to their lives and adjustment to the U.S. 

Content:

•  Summer Skill-building in the East Bay

•  Ringing in the new school year: Interview with Kajal Shahali, RIT Sr. Youth Program Manager

• Welcoming new volunteers

• Join the 3rd RIT Conversation Series

RIT Youths participating in Youth Barista Training hosted by 1951 Coffee.

Reflecting on summer Youth Engagements:

Driving: We’re proud to present RIT’s DMV permit course, which is offered in both Spanish and Dari (two of our students’ most common languages). It was designed specifically for newcomer youth to gain a deeper understanding of driving rules and regulations. The course helps youth to pursue diverse employment opportunities while emphasizing safety on our streets.

Job Skills: RIT held our second Youth Barista Training with our friends 1951 Coffee (pay them a visit!) 15 students from Afghanistan, Guatemala, and Honduras learned about the origins of coffee, honed their drink-making skills, and practiced customer service. RIT and 1951 Coffee aim not only to assist students in finding jobs but also to help them, especially youth from coffee-producing countries, build a strong foundation in the specialty coffee industry. 

While this skill-building focused on high schoolers, RIT also led Art Activities for Elementary school kids at a summer camp organized by Soccer Without Borders. Centered around themes like friendship and family, these activities were a restful break from soccer-filled days. Access to art and sports plays a crucial role in newcomer children’s well-being and helps with integration into a new community. 

RIT staff and youth leaders on a summer field trip to Santa Cruz. 

Hear from Kajal Shahali, RIT’s Sr. Youth Program Manager:

After a fun and productive summer, the fall semester has begun smoothly, and newcomer students have been actively participating in our after-school programs at Fremont High School in Oakland. 

Last year, 199 immigrant & refugee youth participated in RIT’s after-school and in-class academic programs (30+ class periods each week, including English, Math, Science, History, etc.)

In addition to staff and trained volunteers, three RIT youth leaders returned to continue supporting their peers with homework and assignments. We’re excited and look forward to another joyful and supportive year, and to welcome new youth leaders in the next semester.

RIT is also expanding our programs in Mount Diablo Unified School District (Contra Costa County),  to better support newly-arrived Afghan students, particularly high school age. We look forward to fostering a supportive environment and helping students thrive in their new academic and social settings.

RIT staff members (former RIT Youth leaders), with current RIT Youth Leaders

What are youth leaders' roles in RIT’s program at Fremont High?

Youth leaders serve several key roles that contribute to both their personal development and overall program success. Several staff members in the RIT Youth Program are our former Youth Leaders at Fremont High! 

1. Peer Mentorship and Academic Support: Leaders help guide their peers through homework, assignments, and academic challenges, offering support in subjects they are strong in. This creates a sense of camaraderie and fosters collaborative learning.

2. Role Models: As returning participants, leaders set a positive example by demonstrating responsibility, perseverance, and leadership qualities, which inspire other youth.

3. Facilitating Activities: Leaders often assist RIT staff in organizing and leading activities, whether it's academic workshops, team-building, or recreation. Their input is crucial in making the activities engaging and relevant to high school youth.

4. Cultural and Linguistic Bridges: Youth leaders come from diverse backgrounds, helping bridge language and cultural gaps for newcomers. This makes the transition into the program and school easier.

5. Leadership Development: By taking on these responsibilities, youth continue to develop essential leadership, communication, and organizational skills. This prepares them for future opportunities both within and beyond the program.

6. Community Engagement: Youth leaders often represent their peers in larger school or community initiatives, advocating for the needs of newcomer students and helping to ensure their voices are heard.

May 2024: The RIT Youth team including staff, volunteers, and youth leaders along with Newcomer Educational Support & Transition (NEST) students at Fremont High School celebrating the last day of school.

Newcomer youth are strong, resilient, and an integral part of our community. RIT is proud to partner with these remarkable individuals, not only to provide support but also to elevate their skills, leadership abilities, and ideas. Together, we aim to bring their talents to the forefront of our community and systems, helping to shape a brighter future for the Bay Area.

Volunteer Corner

We would like to warmly welcome our new cohort of RIT volunteers to our community. 8 volunteers are being placed at our site-based programs (Fremont High School in Oakland, San Francisco International High School, Mission High School in San Francisco, and RIT Newcomers Hub in Oakland). The remaining volunteers are being matched one-on-one with newcomer students. The current cohort of volunteers collectively speak 16 languages!! We are grateful to you all for your partnership to welcome and support newcomer students.

RIT Conversation Series 2024: Part 3 

Our next conversation will take place on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024 (next week)! The guest speaker will be Dr. Amy Argenal, RIT’s Board Chair; and Assistant Teaching Professor of Community-Engaged Research and Learning Sociology Department at the University of California Santa Cruz. Dr. Argenal will discuss root causes of migration and will also share about her experiences and recent trips to Honduras and El Salvador. Please join us! Link to register: bit.ly/rit-conversation-2024

To all RIT volunteers, supporters, and friends - we hold you in our hearts. We are grateful for your support in welcoming newcomer friends and neighbors to the Bay Area.

With gratitude,
RIT Team

New Beginnings for RIT in San Francisco

August 15, 2024

We are continuing our Conversation Series 2024 this month! RIT had a successful first conversation in June, and the next conversation is on Thursday - August 22, 2024 (next week)! The speaker will be Kaveena Singh, RIT’s Board member and Director of Immigration Legal Services at East Bay Sanctuary. Link to register: bit.ly/rit-conversation-2024

Refugee & Immigrant Transitions are happy to share with you some news about our San Francisco Youth Services! Building on our long-running Classroom Support program at San Francisco International High School, we are excited to now be providing the same service to middle schoolers. 

This program places staff, volunteers, and interns directly in classrooms, to ensure newcomer students get extra care and academic support (including in their own language as needed). In the past, RIT has prioritized this service for High school students, as it’s a sensitive period given the pressures to graduate by a certain age (regardless of interruptions to formal schooling or students’ educational background in their country of origin). 

However, our staff and partners have been sounding alarms about a growing need to expand this program to middle schoolers, as we observe an increasing number of students not completing middle school. In Spring 2024, RIT did a pilot Classroom Support program at Visitacion Valley Middle School. And this Fall, thanks to a new 5-year grant from San Francisco City & County’s Department of Children, Youth & Their Families (DCYF), we’ll be able to continue and expand this service! Our team will work to ensure the students receive extra support, catch up academically, and successfully move on to High School.

In other news, RIT is delighted to announce a new partnership for Youth Leadership with the Inspiring Multicultural Understanding (I M U) Peace Club at San Francisco International High School. This partnership is supported by a second 5-year grant through DCYF.

In RIT’s Wellness Ambassador program at SFIHS, youth develop strong positive identities as refugees and immigrants, ambassadors, and change agents. We are hoping that they will also extend their own sense of belonging beyond their primary cultural, language, and ancestry group to a larger multicultural experience through collaborating with youth from other backgrounds.

I M U Peace Club’s vision is a world community where we express our true selves and celebrate each other across languages and cultures. Through celebrating different cultures and collaborating with their peers, youth develop a pan-newcomer identity and see themselves as leaders for peace and inclusion. The club started 15 years ago, and over the years thousands of students have participated in their program.

RIT staff members attended one of the I M U Peace Club sessions where we shared and learned about each other’s cultures.

And lastly, RIT is excited to once again host a DreamSF fellowship recipient in our San Francisco Youth Program. Established by the City & County of San Francisco, these fellowships are designed for immigrant students and aspiring professionals to gain vital experience and contribute to the community. We are stoked to have DreamSF fellows assist in RIT’s educational program, as they share experiences with our students and are great role models.

This year's RIT Dream Fellow, Sheymi!

RIT will also continue our other services in San Francisco, such as Adult English Language classes in the Mission district, case management services for newly arrived Ukrainian families, and home-based tutoring/mentoring. We are so grateful to our amazing supporters without whom these programs would not be possible. 

Volunteer Corner:

Over the summer, 21 prospective volunteers attended RIT volunteer orientation. We are looking forward to welcoming new volunteers to our educational programs. If you or someone you know are interested, please apply: reftrans.org/apply.

RIT June Newsletter

June 14, 2024

June is Immigrant Heritage Month! While we honor immigrant heritages this month, we would also like to think of the 117.3 million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes, according to the recently published figures by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). That is 1 in every 69 people. They are fleeing their homes due to persecution, conflict, war, violence, and human rights violations.

Over the past decade, RIT has been honored to work with 10,000+ newcomer refugees and immigrants from 50+ countries.

It has been a very difficult few years for immigrant communities, human rights advocates, and humanity in general with all the atrocities like the forced evacuation of Aghans, military oppression in Burma/Myanmar, gender apartheid in Iran, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, war in Sudan, genocide of Palestinians in Gaza, displacement of Indigenous communities in Guatemala, Honduras and many other places. In addition, President Biden issued an executive order last week that poses significant barriers and restrictions to people’s right to seek asylum at the Southern Border. Yet one more push towards inhumanity. At RIT, we are all feeling deep sorrows and anger because these are not just foreign news, but events that personally impact many community members and our families. It is easy to lose hope in these moments. However, being IN COMMUNITY with newcomers reminds us of our collective strength and responsibility and gives us hope for possibilities for a better future for all. 

To address some of these concerns, how this is affecting immigrant & refugee communities, and how RIT is creating spaces of joy and possibilities in these times, we will be holding a “conversation series” starting this month and through the end of the year. Please fill out this form if you’d like more information and save the date for our first conversation that will be held on Thursday, June 27 from noon - 1 pm online. 

RIT End of the School Year Celebrations

“School celebrations are an important way for students to recognize the milestones they've made in studying English. It is hard work, and they have to prioritize class and studying in their busy lives. Getting that recognition with a celebration and certificate mean so much to them! Many students choose to dress in fancy and often traditional clothing. They bring dishes they are proud of to share. Some have been hired to cater RIT events after showcasing their cuisine at these types of events! Most of all, I love to see the pride and joy on students' faces on celebration day. At school celebrations, I get to see and hear from students how much the class and community really means to them. For me, that is the best part.” - RIT Teacher, Dion

RIT Adult and Childcare Programs (RIT Community Hub, Oakland)

At RIT's Community hub in Oakland, we have Adult English classes, Women Wellness Group, childcare, and Case Management services where newcomers receive holistic and well rounded support. 

To celebrate the students’ hard work and wrap up the academic year, we hosted a community potluck, certification ceremony, and graduation ceremony for childcare students as some of them will be moving on to Kindergarten in the fall. Many programs have already come back for summer sessions already. 

Community potluck: Afghan, Cuban, Eritrean, Guaatemalan, Haitian, Yemeni, and beyond food, desserts, and drinks (not all pictured).

RIT Adult English Language Program (San Francisco)

RIT also offers English classes at the Good Samaritan Family Resource Center (Good Sam) in the Mission district in San Francisco. To wrap up the program for the current school year, the classes went to Crissy Field for their field trip. The field trip was in partnership with Good Sam, Golden Gate National Parks, and RIT where a bilingual Spanish-speaking Park Ranger, Fatima, shared her knowledge about the park and wildlife with the students. The park also provided a free shuttle to our students, which made accessing the park easier for our students. We are grateful for this opportunity. At the end of the field trip, we shared delicious home-cooked meals and gifts in honor of Mother’s Day. Their program also had a graduation/certification ceremony after the field trip. 

RIT Youth Daytime Classroom Support Program (San Francisco)

At San Francisco International High School, RIT has a Daytime Classroom Support program and a Youth Wellness Ambassador program. We hosted a gathering for our Daytime Classroom Support (site-based) volunteers, staff, and interns. On this joyous end-of-year celebration the team reflected on the achievements and talked about exciting possibilities for the new school year!

RIT Youth Leaders from After-School Program (Oakland)

RIT’s Youth East Bay Team is honored to have worked with four incredible Youth Leaders who supported our team in running the Newcomer After-School Program at Fremont High School. These exceptional leaders, students from Guatemala and Honduras, worked diligently from January to May of this academic year, assisting their peers with homework, quizzes, projects, and assignments. They also served as RIT's ambassadors in all their newcomer classes.

To celebrate their hard work and dedication to their communities, RIT staff and volunteers organized a special trip to the Santa Cruz boardwalk. The day was filled with fun activities, including games, delicious food, thrilling rides, and the joy of experiencing the ocean. For some of our leaders, this was their first time visiting a beach in the United States; for others, it was a welcome escape from Oakland and work. We enjoyed good music on the way to and from Santa Cruz, making the day even more memorable.

We are immensely proud of our Youth Leaders and grateful for their contributions. This trip was a small token of our appreciation for their unwavering support and commitment.

Thank you for being a part of our shared community!
RIT Team

April 2024: Job Training, Eid Celebration, and Volunteer Gathering

Starting Careers in a New Country

Many of you are well familiar with RIT’s Education program, such as tutoring, mentoring, after-school programs, or adult classes. You probably know that among the main goals our students are trying to reach is Employment in the U.S. We recognize the urgency for many students to find a job or a better job, not just to financially support themselves, but to send money home to loved ones (and help grow their careers and our Bay Area economy!) As such, RIT offers several Vocational English Classes that help newcomers learn English and be ready for employment. In addition, we partner with local job training agencies to better support our students.

Food Handler’s Certification program with Oakland Bloom:

Without newcomers, the Bay Area would not have such a vibrant and multicultural food scene. In partnership with Oakland Bloom, RIT students participated in the Food Handler’s Certification Program (FHCP). Completing this program helps newcomers get jobs in the food industry. Many of the program’s graduates have graced RIT’s community events with delicious food from their countries of origin, which has become a mini economic opportunity for students and a way to share culinary traditions from home. For example, one of our RIT colleagues (a former student and FHCP graduate) cooks delectable Eritrean treats that have been a mainstay of RIT’s annual community-centric fundraising events. 

The current FHCP cohort are French and Creole speakers. Oftentimes, certification programs in the U.S. are not inclusive of languages reflective of newly arrived communities. We are so grateful to Oakland Bloom for helping interpret the entire certification program for our students! 

Barista Training with 1951 Coffee Company

Our other long-time partner, 1951 Coffee Company is a barista training program for refugees and immigrants, as well as a coffee shop (be sure to visit next time you’re in Berkeley!) Among the latest barista training cohort, are RIT students Noor and Farida. They enjoyed their week-long training, and were especially proud of their completion certificates and their new-found ability to make latte foam art!

Job Fair

Seven RIT students went to a job fair for refugees and immigrants with an RIT Teacher and adult class volunteers. They were able to learn about various career pathways and interact with local employers.

Many of newcomers face the challenge of learning a new language, systems, employment pathways, and requirements. RIT is proud and honored to offer  newcomers an opportunity to explore entry level career pathways as they transition to their new lives here in the Bay Area.

RIT Celebrated Eid:

In celebration of Eid, RIT’s Afghan Women Wellness team organized a big community event in San Leandro. We had henna, face painting, bracelet making, soccer, and of course delicious food. We were also able to give small Eidi gifts for 120 kids. The event brought together 250 Afghan newcomer community members of all ages, creating a safe and welcoming space for many newcomer Afghan women and children to be in their own community, celebrating their own culture, and speaking their own language. We are grateful to our partners BRFN and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care services. 

Volunteer Space

We are grateful to our volunteers for their continued support for our newcomer communities. We simply couldn’t imagine our work without them! In partnership with 1951 Coffee Company, RIT hosted our spring volunteer meet-up at 1951 Coffee, with a warm cup of coffee and a welcome from RIT staff. The volunteers shared memorable experiences of accompaniment, solidarity, love and care! The purpose of the gathering was to offer a space of gratitude for RIT’s volunteers and share stories that uplift refugee and immigrant communities.

Upcoming:

• RIT’s next volunteer and student gatherings will be held in June. If you are a current active volunteer and have not received communications from RIT, please reach out to volunteer@reftrans.org.

Thank you for your continued love and support for RIT and our newcomers community.

With gratitude,
RIT Team

RIT February Newsletter: Happy Lunar New Year & Black History Month

Happy Lunar New Year! 🐉

It’s the year of the wood dragon which represents courage and good fortune. May you and your loved ones have good fortune. May we all have the courage and safe space to stand in solidarity with one another, and against injustices and inequities.

RIT Adult English Class students at our Newcomer hub in Oakland, last December.

RIT welcomes and partners with refugees and immigrants from 40+ different countries around the world. We are inclusive of all newcomers’ document status, gender identity, migration journey, language, religious and cultural backgrounds. In our community, we hold space for all people, and share and celebrate knowledge, cultures, and languages together.

Top picture: Grace (right), RIT Staff, presenting about the Lunar New Year at RIT’s Community Hub in Oakland. Narcy (left), RIT Staff, translating for our Mam and Spanish speaking students.

Bottom picture: Sonia, RIT Staff, also shared about her family's immigration journey. 

For the Lunar New Year, RIT program managers Sonia and Grace held an activity with 70 students in our Adult English Classes in Oakland and San Francisco. Grace is a first generation immigrant from Hong Kong, and Sonia identifies as a third generation Chinese American. The adult class students have immigrated to the U.S. from Afghanistan, Algeria, Burma, Cameroon, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mongolia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.

Grace, RIT Staff, presenting about the Lunar New Year to our San Francisco Adult English class.

Grace and Sonia did a Lunar New Year presentation to share about different communities and holidays in the U.S. They shared that being American is not synonymous with belonging to one race, skin color, language, culture, or experience. After the presentation, one of the students from Mongolia shared about her family’s Lunar New Year traditions. The celebration was completed with some delicious Lunar New Year treats. Some of the students were also inspired to attend the San Francisco Chinatown Lunar New Year parade last weekend. 

Happy Black History Month!

RIT Board Member, Deborah Samake, presenting about Black History Month and being African American to our Oakland Adult English Class.

Another cultural activity was held by RIT’s Board Member, Deborah. She came to our Oakland Adult English Class to present about identity and heritage, and the significance of the words and names we use to identify ourselves culturally and racially. Deborah shared what it means to be African-American in the U.S. both historically and in current times.

Through these presentations, RIT students learn about diverse racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds and identities in the U.S. These conversations and spaces provide an opportunity to collectively check and unlearn our own biases.

In the past year, RIT served 100+ newcomers from Africa and Afro-Caribbean countries. The top countries from these regions are Cuba, Haiti, Eritrea, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Students received services such as Adult English classes (including Vocational English) and case management from multilingual case workers.

Picture from Migration Policy Institute

Many newcomers from Haiti, Cuba, and other countries such as China and Russia are seeking asylum at the Southern Border. Most of their migration journeys are often dangerous through many countries in South America to get to the U.S. To learn more details about the migration journeys of Haitian refugees, please click this link to one of our newsletters published last year.

Building Community Partnerships

Augusto, RIT Staff, tabling at the Harmony of Heritage event, Oakland

This month, RIT also participated in Harmony of Heritage, a Lunar New Year and Black History Month celebration event hosted by Asian Health Services (AHS). RIT staff shared about our services and connected with local community partners. AHS plays an essential role in health care access and advocacy for Asian and Pacific Islanders, and their establishment in 1974 was influenced by Black Activists, particularly the Black Panther Party. The February event was in solidarity and recognition of social changes and influence that Black activists and communities have contributed to immigrant and marginalized communities.

“There are such things in the world as human rights. They rest upon no conventional foundation but are external, universal, and indestructible. Among these, is the right of locomotion; the right of migration; the right which belongs to no particular race, but belongs alike to all and to all alike.”
- Frederick Douglass advocating for Chinese and Japanese immigrant rights in 1867, Boston

We would also like to uplift the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) who provides legal services for Black immigrants. BAJI recently led a defensive asylum workshop at RIT's community hub for our Haitian students. 

Lastly, our long-time partner Burma Refugee Families and Newcomers (BRFN) is an African immigrant co-led Ethnic Community Based Organization. They focus on supporting Eritrean and Afghan newcomers with case management services.

As we celebrate Lunar New Year and Black History Month, we are also thinking of communities around the world struggling for freedom and safety. In particular, we’ve been thinking about these news:

• We are concerned about the “border bill”: Significant inequities in immigration policies and laws that provide access to asylum for some migrants but not others. We saw this in discussions around the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act (H. R. 815) (more info here). Acts like this violate the human right "to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution" (United Declaration of Human Rights, Article 14). At this time of increased polarization and politicization of border policies, we urge all to center these rights and the humanity of all.

• 2 years of war in Ukraine: we reaffirm our support of those seeking refuge from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 10+ million people from Ukraine have been displaced. RIT provides case management services to Ukrainian refugees in the Bay Area in both Ukrainian and Russian. 

• Political persecution in Russia: The death in prison of Russian opposition leader, Alexei Navalny has brought worldwide attention to repression inside Russia, namely of people who speak out against the war and of LGBTQ individuals. Many Russians have crossed the Southern Border to seek asylum in the U.S. RIT stands against state violence all over the world, and in solidarity with asylum-seekers from Russia. 

• 3 years since military coup in Burma: It’s been three years since Myanmar's military deposed the democratically elected government. Approximately 2 million people are currently displaced and pro-democracy voices in Burma remain severely persecuted, some of whom (including Gen Z student activists) have applied for asylum in the U.S.. RIT has been serving Burmese communities in the Bay Area for many years.

• We demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza: It has been 141 days since the Hamas attack on Israel, which killed 1,200 people and kidnapped some 250 hostages. Since then, Israel's attack on Gaza has been non-stop. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, due to this war 29,195 Palestinians have been killed, 2.2 million are at imminent risk of famine, and 1.7 million are internally displaced (75% of Gaza).

Finally, we’d like to share some local opportunities to support displaced communities:

This rainy season we are collecting warm jackets and coats, winter gear (umbrellas, stroller covers, rain ponchos), and other essential school supplies. These items will be shared with immigrant and refugee students and their families at RIT's community hub and in our Afterschool Programs. If you can, please consider donating: bit.ly/rit-drive or scan the QR code in the flyer. Thank you for your generosity!

Thank you for your continued love and support!
RIT Team

RIT's Youth Wellness Ambassador Program, a hope for a better collective future

December 31st, 2023

Dear RIT Community,

As we close out one of the toughest years in recent times, we want to uplift one of our youth programs that gives us hope for a better future. 

RIT Youth Wellness Ambassadors at the end of the school year celebration, May 2023

We are proud to share with you our new Youth Wellness Ambassador Program at San Francisco International High School (SFIHS), a school serving newly-arrived immigrant and refugee students and an RIT partner since 2009. Building on our existing multilingual in-class support, RIT started a new initiative called the Youth Wellness Ambassador Program. Funded initially by the Governor’s new Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications (OCPSC), RIT has recruited 9 SFIHS students from Colombia, Yemen, and China to share messages in Arabic, Spanish, Chinese, and English about COVID and vaccines in order to keep other students and their families informed and safe. The Wellness Ambassadors even hosted a vaccine mobile clinic in partnership with San Francisco International High School, San Francisco Public Health, OCPSC, and Mission Neighborhood Centers.

The program has been expanded to cover information about Extreme Heat, Water Conservation, COVID, and Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Wellness Ambassadors meet weekly and partner with their peers to prepare presentations. They share knowledge and resources with approximately 222 SFIHS students in 9th to 12th grades annually. This program is just one example of the amazing work of RIT’s Youth Leaders.

COVID vaccination mobile clinic outreach by the Wellness Ambassadors at SFIHS

A Wellness Ambassador presenting about COVID, RSV, and Flu at one of the classes at SFIHS

For more information about RIT’s Youth Leadership Program, take a look at a recently published article entitled “Refugee and Immigrant Youth Leaders: Strengths, Futurity, and Commitment to Community” co-authored by several RIT team members. This article is based on a research study that looked at RIT’s Youth Leadership/Peer Tutoring Program in 2018. Read the article here.

Similar to what we’re finding in the Youth Wellness Ambassador Program, the research showed that peer-to-peer learning allows participants to co-learn and increase connections across cultures, languages, and people. It also found that newcomer youths not only want to succeed individually but also want to give back to their communities and families.

The Youth Wellness Ambassadors spoke at RIT’s recent Community-Centric Fundraising gathering which was hosted at our newcomer’s hub in Oakland. The theme for the event was WE: WEllness, WElcome, poWEr, and WEaving communities together. The Youth Wellness Ambassadors shared that providing information they learned is a way for them to give back to the community. 

Wellness Ambassadors speaking at RIT's Community-Centric Fundraising gathering in Oakland

Ammy, RIT Wellness Ambassador from Colombia, said “I joined the program because I want to create experiences for me and the immigrant students because as the school receives people from different places like China, Ukraine, Vietnam, Yemen, and many Latin American people, we have many languages the RIT program is helping… so I joined to help other students.” 

Another Wellness Ambassador, Reem, who came to the US in 2021 from Yemen, is learning English and said, “I wanted to learn about new things. Last year we learned about COVID-19. This year, we are learning about Extreme Heat and new things that I have never knew about….” 

To watch the Wellness Ambassadors’ full speech, please visit this link.

Wellness Ambassadors with RIT staff member, Grace, at RIT's event in October.

The Youth WEllness Ambassadors hope and dream to create a WElcoming and safe space for other immigrants where the newcomers feel safe to share their culture and language. They want to remind newcomers that we all have poWEr and belong in this country.

At RIT, our vision is to welcome and partner with newcomers who have sought refuge in the Bay Area, so we all collectively thrive in our shared community. Programs like the Youth Wellness Ambassador not only promote public health safety but also allow us to continue building on our collective vision. Additionally, programs like this nurture leadership, communications, and community-building skills for the newcomer youths and communities they impact.

We are grateful to community members like you and our dedicated staff and volunteers for your continued love and support. Please consider supporting RIT so that we can expand our Youth Leadership Programs and increase connections across cultures and people as well as provide opportunities for youth to co-learn and give back to their own communities. 

With gratitude,
RIT Team

The Long Journey, A Message from Todd Tran, RIT Board Member

December 20th, 2023

Dear Friends & Supporters,

I remember when my family and I first arrived in the U.S. as refugees from Vietnam in 1979. I was 5 years old but I still remember how dazed everyone in my family looked and felt when we landed at the airport in Cleveland, Ohio, and when we walked into our new house which we now must adopt as our home. 

We had been through a full year that involved escaping from our homeland, sailing across the South China Sea, arriving in Hong Kong where the government there refused us entry, spending a month on the boat stubbornly refusing to leave until we were finally admitted into a refugee camp. We spent a year in the camp waiting and hoping that we would be adopted to a new country. When we finally got our wish and landed in the U.S., it wasn’t a feeling of pure joy. 

Huey Fong: the ship that Todd's family took

It was a feeling of relief but also fear of how we would survive and build a new life. We had no money, knew no one, did not speak English, and had little idea of how to get the money and support we needed to survive. But when we were in survival mode, the power of the human spirit emerged, and we found a way to not only survive, but to eventually thrive. 

Ultimately it is up to the power of that human spirit that propels refugees and immigrants. But not everyone makes it, and the journey involves years and years of intense struggle and perseverance. 

As this year comes to a close, it is estimated that 60,000 refugees will have arrived in the U.S. in 2023, only 48% of the annual ceiling set by the President for 2023. In general, the number of people in the U.S. who were born in another country, increased by almost a million last year, reaching 46+ million (a record high). Many are newcomers. 

Over the holiday season, every little we can contribute to newcomers will go a long way to helping our new neighbors survive and thrive in our shared communities. In this season of giving, perhaps the most valuable gift is assistance to help a family get through and get a better life. 

RIT’s vision is to see all newcomers thrive and become full, participating members of our shared communities. We provide Education, Family Engagement, and Community Leadership programs needed by refugees and immigrants as they settle into their new home.

This holiday season, if you can, please consider supporting RIT. Your contribution will support critical services, from helping build English and other essential skills, to connecting newcomers with healthcare, employment, and other resources. 

Thank you and we wish you a warm and happy Holiday Season! 

On behalf of the Board and Staff of RIT, 
Todd Tran
Refugee & Immigrant Transitions Board Member

To hear Todd’s full story of his journey as a refugee, watch this video of his speech at RIT’s Community Fundraiser: The Long Journey.

Giving Thanks & Honoring Indigenous Communities

November 22, 2023

On behalf of all of us at RIT, we'd like to express our gratitude to our friends and communities: clients, students, partners, volunteers, and supporters. We appreciate you all. Though there are a lot of dark things happening around the world right now, we still hope your day is filled with warmth and joy. 

We'd also like to use this space to honor Indigenous communities.

November is Native American Heritage Month, and the day after Thanksgiving is recognized as Native American Heritage Day. Thanksgiving itself has a complex history. According to Native Hope, "for many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning and protest since it commemorates the arrival of settlers in North America and the centuries of oppression and genocide that followed."

Last year we welcomed Rev. Shirley Montoya of the Navajo Nation in RIT's Citizenship class (read more here!) Only 2 questions on the citizenship test are about Native Americans, so we felt it important to share more about the history and cultures of Indigenous peoples and the land on which we live (and newcomers join). Rev. Montoya not only shared about the history of the Navajo Nation, but also taught students some of her language, Diné. At the time of colonization, there were about 300 languages spoken in the current territory of the U.S., and now there are only 175 (many of them are endangered).

This Thanksgiving, we invite you to support Indigenous initiatives such as the Sogorea Te' Land Trust. They are an urban Indigenous women-led land trust based in the San Francisco Bay Area that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people.

One of the pillars of our work at RIT, is building solidarity and understanding among different communities and individuals.

Many people currently seeking refuge in the U.S. are Indigenous (from Guatemala and other Latin American countries). Families across the region have lost livelihoods due to climate change, agribusiness, large-scale development, and extractive industries. Violence (including state-sanctioned violence, organized crime, and gender-based violence) is another push factor. U.S. involvement in the region has played a major role in these migration causes.

In the past year, RIT was honored to work with 900+ program participants from Latin America, many of whom are Indigenous. Most program participants come from Guatemala.

We learn from the perseverance and resistance of Indigenous People through their linguistic diversity. Despite Spanish being the dominant language in Latin America due to colonization, there are 24 Indigenous languages in Guatemala (21 Mayan languages) that have been preserved, and many other Indigenous languages and cultures across the region. Several RIT staff members are speakers of Mam languages. These team members provide invaluable linguistic assistance to families in Oakland Unified School District, which has a large Mam-speaking community.

Thank you so much for supporting RIT and being part of this work.

RIT Statement for Peace

Updated on December 12, 2023

Since Oct. 7th, 1,147 Israelis have lost their lives, 18,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, and tens of thousands are in captivity, missing, or injured. We mourn for these lives lost, and we will continue to mourn the lives of other innocent people if this war does not stop right now. We demand a permanent ceasefire and a stop to the genocide!

Call for action:

• Call your representatives and demand a permanent ceasefire

  • List of congress who have called for a ceasefire, click here

• Show your support

  • March for Permanent Ceasefire in Palestine happening in Oakland on Saturday, Dec. 16th at 1pm

  • To find protests near you, click here

Many of our community members have sought refuge in the Bay Area due to war, persecution, violence, ethnic cleansing, and genocide and are triggered by painful memories of flight, loss, and separation. We can not allow the violence to continue in Burma, Congo, Palestine, Ukraine, Sudan, and so many other countries. We must stop this cycle of violence that we know leads to more death and more displacement. While we talk about the right to migrate and the right to seek asylum, we must also uplift in this moment the right to stay home as well as the right to be human.

__

October 25, 2023

What is happening in Gaza and Israel is no less than horrific. 

We mourn the loss of lives in Israel and the entire region of Palestine and we mourn the loss of many more lives that will be lost given the current trajectory of continued war, militarism, bombardment and besiegement. We are frightened for the people in Gaza as we are also frightened for the people in Israel.

Many people have joined RIT's community as they have had to flee war, persecution, state-sanctioned violence, colonization, genocide and more in their homelands. Generations of conflict and oppression, the Holocaust, recent attacks from Hamas on Israel, Israel's state-sanctioned bombardment on and besiegement of Gaza, as well as conflicts that continue around the world and at home but have lost media attention, are triggering difficult memories and realities of flight, loss and separation; as they are also creating new realities of flight, loss and separation. This must stop.

While we talk about the right to migrate and the right to seek asylum, we must also uplift in this moment the right to stay home as well as the right to be human. As the organization, Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom reminds us, "we hold multiple truths at any given moment". We must educate ourselves about root causes and the long, complex histories that inform today's actions; as well as chart a new way in which we see and center the humanity in one another. The world in which we live, abroad as well as on the land that we occupy, has become so polarized that as a society, it seems that we've lost our own humanity as we've lost seeing the humanity in others. As the Brazilian educator and philosopher Paulo Freire teaches us, "the oppressor-oppressed contradiction is superseded by the humanization of all people" i.e. "no longer oppressor nor longer oppressed, but human in the process of achieving freedom". In addition to a desperate call for an imminent ceasefire, we call on all of us to reground in the very basic principles and values of humanity to guide our own actions at home and towards one another. 

In truth, we feel deep rage, sadness and fear that many of you in our community are also feeling. But we cannot be led by that in times of conflict. We must be led by seeing the other as our own. We must have the foresight of what comes next by learning from what has happened in the past. We must stop this cycle of violence that we know leads to more death and more displacement. We again uplift the wise and grounding words of Sisterhood of Salaam Shalom:

"At this time, we have to choose compassion, which literally means suffering together and wishing to alleviate suffering. We must have compassion for all those who lost their family members, those who are in captivity and those seeking shelter from heavy artillery. Equally important is the feeling of compassion for each other and for our own tears, shock, pain, and fears."

Given the scale and speed of escalation in this conflict, we fear the loss of more innocent lives that can and should be avoided. We are desperately praying and hoping for a more peaceful path forward. We join widespread calls from the international community for a ceasefire as we also do what we know how to do best here at home–create shared communities of peace, welcome and belonging for ALL. As abstract or small as that might seem, we hope that in our own way, we are disrupting the cycles of violence people have experienced in the past in order to create more peaceful pathways forward. We hope you will join us in that collective journey for that better future.

- RIT Staff and Board of Directors

RIT Women: Making Women More Visible

March 31, 2023

In 1982, a home-based program in the Tenderloin of San Francisco was started to support newly arrived refugee women. 40 years later, the program has flourished to become Refugee & Immigrant Transitions (RIT). RIT now supports newcomers from 50 countries who have sought refuge in the Bay Area through our Education, Family Engagement, and Community Leadership programs. 

RIT is a growing community tree, planted and cared for by countless women, often from refugee and immigrant backgrounds. 

As we celebrated Women’s History Month, we want to recognize women’s role in all aspects including fighting for freedom, advocating for newcomers rights, creating welcoming and safe spaces for immigrants and women, and leading the nonprofit. 

RIT is a mostly women-led organization, and we are very proud to introduce some of our inspiring RIT Women to you:

Not all RIT women are pictured here.

Watch this video to hear from some of the RIT Women:

Black History Month: Honoring Haitian Migrants Journey

Feb. 28, 2023:

As Black History month wraps up, we invite you to join us to continue to celebrate and honor Black individuals, migrants, and communities. Throughout history, and even today, Black communities continue to shine a light on systemic oppression, racism, and inequity in our societies. Their fight for freedom, justice, and human rights extends beyond Black communities. 

Image from NBC News site

“There are such things in the world as human rights. They rest upon no conventional foundation but are external, universal, and indestructible. Among these, is the right of locomotion; the right of migration; the right which belongs to no particular race, but belongs alike to all and to all alike.”
- Frederick Douglass advocating for Chinese and Japanese immigrant rights in 1867, Boston

The US border and migration policies have a deep-rooted history of racism and systemic oppression. Black and brown migrants continue to face inhumane treatment, violence, and systemic barriers at the border and beyond. For example, in 2021, more than 15,000 Haitian migrants at the US-Mexico border were uprooted from their encampment and inhumanely displaced again from their temporary homes.

Honoring Haitian Migrants Journey

We would like to highlight the Haitian migration journey because it demonstrates the complexity of migration – colonialism, racism, climate emergencies, inequitable resources, and the physical journey itself. Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the Latin and Caribbean regions. One of the causes of Haiti’s poor economic status and unstable political structure is due to its history of colonial and foreign exploitations. Here’s a snapshot of decade long journey of thousands of Haitian migrants who arrived at the US-Mexico border:

Image from Migration Policy Institute

• The 2010 earthquake took more than 217,000 lives and displaced 1.5 million from their homes. The 2014 FIFA world cup and summer Olympics in Brazil created economic opportunities for Haitians. 85,000 Haitians arrived in Brazil between 2010 and 2017. In 2020, the Haitian population in Brazil reached 143,000.

• Due to declining economic opportunities and racism against Haitians and immigrants, 103,000 Haitians moved again to Chile between 2015-2017.

• In 2018 Chilean government started requiring visas, but 69% of Haitian visa applications were rejected within two years. Due to anti-blackness and anti-immigrant policies, work permits became harder to acquire in Chile forcing Haitians to move again.

• Haitian migrants were again forced to take one of the most dangerous migration journeys, crossing Darien Gap, before arriving at the US-Mexico border to seek refuge.

Loss and Love

Love translated into different languages spoken by RIT staff members. We would also like to acknowledge that not all languages have written forms. <3

As we celebrated love, we also experienced immense losses locally and globally. Thousands of individuals continue to lose their homes due to natural disasters, war, and violence. We would like to uplift some of the movements, communities, and organizations, and invite you to support them:

• African Advocacy Network's (AAN) mission is to make the African Advocacy Network an outstanding social and immigration legal service provider for African and Afro-Caribbean immigrants through the delivery of quality services by Department of Justice (DOJ) Accredited staff in a culturally and linguistically- supportive environment.

• Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) educates and engages African American and Black immigrant communities to organize and advocate for racial, social and economic justice.

• It has been a year since the invasion of Ukraine. Nova Ukraine is at the frontline supporting Ukrainian refugees. Please consider making a donation to Nova Ukraine.

• Stand in solidarity with Iranians fighting for their freedom by signing this petition. Follow these on Twitter or IG accounts: Iranrights, Collective for Black Iranians, Iranian Diaspora Collective, Diaspora for Iran, 1500tasvir, and Bayarea4Iran.

Happy New Year & 2022 In Review

December 30, 2022:

Happy New Year from Refugee & Immigrant Transitions! We wish you peace, health, and joy in 2023 and beyond.  

Please read on to see how our community welcomed newcomers in 2022 (including: a geographical expansion for RIT!) And if you haven't supported RIT yet, kindly consider a year-end donation. Thank you!  

In the year 2022...

• RIT now supports a new area: Contra Costa County!

Many refugees have been settling there due to lower cost of living. RIT was called to fill in service gaps in the community. We've teamed up with local organizations and school districts to help new families enroll kids in school, complete critical paperwork, and access legal and other resources.

• RIT grew youth services.

It's been a stressful time for youth and families. In addition to readjusting to in-person learning, our students often have to juggle school and work to support family, and (like many youth nationwide) face growing violence at schools and neighborhoods.

RIT's program at Fremont High School in Oakland has been building community for student wellness. We've been bringing in soccer and music partners, running support groups, and increasing our academic support and youth leadership.

• RIT expanded adult education.

Our adult classes, whether Vocational, Women's, Citizenship, or General English, continue to be highly desired in the community. In addition, we're running a workshop series for Afghan women, on a very in-demand topic: passing the driver's knowledge test.

And last but not least, RIT celebrated 40 years of welcoming refugees and immigrants.

While there have been many challenges this past year, there's also been joy. We see this joy when we come together as a diverse and shared community. Exhibit A: RIT's 40th anniversary in Oakland (watch video below):

RIT welcomes and partners with people who have sought refuge in the Bay Area, employing strengths-based educational approaches and community supports so they may thrive in our shared communities.

Thank you for being part of our shared community!

20 languages & counting! Support RIT this holiday season

Dec. 22, 2022:

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Last week, the Refugee & Immigrant Transitions team counted how many languages we speak collectively… we’re now at 20! 

Thanks to your support, in addition to education and leadership programs, RIT works with newcomer communities in their home languages. Read on to see what that looks like.  

Meet Maria, RIT’s Community Navigator supporting 60 schools in Oakland.

Like many immigrants from Guatemala, Maria speaks several languages: English, Spanish, and her native language, Mam (an Indigenous Mayan language). Mam speakers are a major and growing group of newcomers in Oakland Unified School District.

Pictured: Maria shared her culture and customs at RIT’s 40th anniversary (as part of Guatemalan performance collective, Rosendo Aguilar Group). Maria is in the center.

At RIT, Maria interprets for families and assists with all kinds of complex needs, such as “filling out enrollment forms, assisting parents in locating school options, parent teacher conferences, Special Ed meetings for students with learning differences, student therapy, Medi-Cal referrals, legal interpretation for lawyers working with unaccompanied minors,” and much more. “We make sure that our clients get clear information and create some level of confidence”, she says.

“One of the big challenges is that there is so much school paperwork to be completed and require their initials,” Maria highlights. “It is just impossible for any non-English speaker to do so without assistance in their own language.”

Pictured: RIT welcome sign

Language is powerful.

Language is connection, knowledge, humor, songs, parents, traditions. For immigrants, having someone in the community to speak one’s language, can bring comfort, connection to home, and a sense of belonging. 

In addition to Mam and Spanish, RIT delivers services in Burmese, Dari, Pashto, Cantonese, Mandarin, Arabic, and other common languages of Bay Area newcomers. And we continue to grow our language capacity. We are seeking to hire speakers of other languages, including Ukrainian. 

Together, we shape a more welcoming future. Thank you for being a part of it!

P.S. Have you seen RIT's 40th anniversary video? Please check it out (featuring Maria and Rosendo Aguilar Group's performance!)

Run with RIT! San Francisco Aloha Run for Peace

August 16, 2022 - RIT are thrilled to be one of the agencies supported by the annual San Francisco Aloha Run for Peace (held by local organization, JCYC). This will be a fun community run, and walkers are welcome.

When: Sunday, September 25, 2022

Where: Crissy Field, San Francisco

What: 5k, 10k, or virtual run/walk

Vision: Aloha Run hopes "to contribute to a global movement for peace, equity, and unity by engaging runners and walkers across the country with uplifting messages of peace, inclusion, and hope for communities who are impacted by the war on Ukraine or targeted and marginalized communities in America."

For RIT's 40th anniversary this year, we hope to build a team of 40 members and collectively raise $4,040.40! Join our team today :)

Speak Out for Afghan Adjustment Act

August 9, 2022 - Just days ahead of the 1-year anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the launch of Operation Allies Welcome, both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives have introduced bipartisan legislation, the Afghan Adjustment Act, or AAA (HR TBD/S.4787).

The AAA will provide a long-awaited pathway to permanent residence for many people who were evacuated and brought to the U.S. from Afghanistan - please call Members of Congress & ask them to support this bill:

Following the U.S. military withdrawal, more than 70,000 Afghans were admitted to the U.S. as “humanitarian parolees” – a temporary status that does not confer lasting protection or a pathway to permanent U.S. residence. The Afghan Adjustment Act would allow eligible Afghans to apply for permanent status after clearing additional background checks.

Malaak Malikyar Sills, RIT’s Board Chair and advocate for refugees and immigrants, says:

“The Afghan Adjustment Act is urgent for Afghan Allies and their support communities. Thousands of Afghan evacuees have been separated from their families, culture, and homes. They arrived with limited resources and knowledge of our systems.

While being encouraged by welcomers of all affinities to resettle and transition to their new country, a ticking clock keeps them on pins and needles as the two-year limit to apply for asylum approaches. The uncertainty of a permanent pathway for resettlement only magnifies the trauma of separation and loss that our Afghan Allies have endured.

We appreciate Congress for recognizing our moral obligations and intention to keep our promise, and we must pass the Afghan Adjustment Act!”

• Please ​​call your Senators and Representatives and request that they support the AAA.

• Updated AAA Explainer here.