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.
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!