Our America: We All Belong. Join RIT Virtual Fundraiser with Pulitzer Prize-winning Author, Jose Antonio Vargas

CLICK HERE to watch the fundraiser recording!

“Home is not something I should have to earn. Humanity is not some box I should have to check.” 

—Jose Antonio Vargas, “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen”

On Thursday, October 29th, 7 to 7:45 pm, join us for “World of Difference”, a virtual fundraiser to support Refugee & Immigrant Transitions. Admission is free. We are honored to welcome Jose Antonio Vargas, Pulitzer Prize-winning author, as our keynote speaker. Register below, or scroll down to learn more!

Pictured: Jose Antonio Vargas

When he was an eighth grader, Jose’s life was transformed by Toni Morrison: “one of the greatest writers in the English language, a Black woman whose grandfather lived in a time when it was illegal for African Americans to read.” Her books taught him the concept of “master narrative”, or dominant stories. In his own work, Jose has courageously challenged the unwelcoming storyline about immigration and undocumented Americans--by coming out as undocumented through NY Times magazine; bestselling memoir Dear America; and nonprofit Define American.  

The work of Jose and Define American inspires all of us at Refugee & Immigrant Transitions.  It’s especially relevant today, when the U.S. is closing its doors on those fleeing persecution, and devaluing the lives and contributions of immigrants. There’s a need for new narratives, those with welcome, dignity, justice, and learning at their core. These values inform and guide RIT programs. 

Your support enables RIT to foster welcoming communities, deliver high-quality virtual education, and forge strong support networks. Today’s uncertainty and the acute social isolation caused by the pandemic has increased the urgency of our work.

Our Presenters (Click + to read bio)

+ Jose Antonio Vargas: Keynote

Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Emmy-nominated filmmaker, and Tony-nominated producer. A leading voice for the human rights of immigrants, he founded the non-profit media and culture organization Define American, named one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies by Fast Company. His best-selling memoir, Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen, was published by HarperCollins in 2018. Most recently, he co-produced Heidi Schreck’s acclaimed Broadway play What the Constitution Means to Me, which was nominated for two 2019 Tony awards, including “Best Play.”

In 2011, the New York Times Magazine published a groundbreaking essay he wrote in which he revealed and chronicled his life in America as an undocumented immigrant. A year later, he appeared on the cover of TIME magazine worldwide with fellow undocumented immigrants as part of a follow-up cover story he wrote. He then produced and directed Documented, an autobiographical documentary feature film that aired on CNN and received a 2015 NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Documentary. Also in 2015, MTV aired White People, an Emmy-nominated television special he produced and directed on what it means to be young and white in a demographically-changing America.

Among accolades he has received are the Freedom to Write Award from PEN Center USA and honorary degrees from Emerson College, Colby College, and the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Passionate about the role of arts in society and promoting equity in education, he serves on the advisory board of TheDream.US, a scholarship fund for undocumented immigrant students.

A product of the San Francisco Bay Area, he is a proud graduate of San Francisco State University (’04), where he was named Alumnus of the Year in 2012, and Mountain View High School (’00). An elementary school named after Vargas opened in his hometown of Mountain View, California in August 2019.

+ Luoteng Elvis Lin

Elvis was born in China and immigrated to the U.S. in 2012. He was a Peer Tutor in Refugee & Immigrant Transitions’ after-school tutoring program during his Junior and Senior years in San Francisco International High School. He continues to work with RIT as an Alumni Tutor after graduating from high school. He also works with the San Francisco Unified School District as an in-class tutor. He graduated from San Francisco State University in August of 2020 with a B.S. degree in Business Finance.

+ Kalsang Tashi

Director of Strategic Partnerships, Community Partners International (CPI); Refugee & Immigrant Transitions Board Member

Kalsang serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at Community Partners International (CPI), a resilient non-profit with a track record in driving change in communities affected by conflict, violence, and displacement, in remote and hard-to-reach contexts. Prior to CPI, Kalsang spent about a decade at Give2Asia supporting individual donors, corporations and private foundations with their philanthropic giving across Asia.

Kalsang's Tibetan refugee roots exposed her to philanthropy at a young age. A generous philanthropic scholarship made it possible for her to attain a liberal arts education in the US. She studied economics, and peace & conflict resolution studies at Brandeis University.

As part of the Tibetan immigrant community in San Francisco Bay Area, Kalsang played an active role in the establishment of a Tibetan community center. She was also on the board of a private foundation that supported nomadic communities in Tibet. Kalsang joined the RIT Board in 2020.

+ Laura Vaudreuil

Refugee & Immigrant Transitions Executive Director

Laura Vaudreuil has been honored to serve as Executive Director at Refugee & Immigrant Transitions since 2003, and to be part of the organization since 2001. With a passion for human rights and education, Laura provides leadership for Refugee & Immigrant Transitions, partnering with an amazing team to welcome people who’ve sought refuge and expand services responsive to their needs. She works closely with a dedicated board of directors, diverse staff, and hundreds of committed volunteers to help our students get on pathways to education, citizenship, and employment opportunities. Under Laura's leadership, Refugee & Immigrant Transitions has forged strong partnerships with school districts, nonprofits, and city and county agencies throughout the Bay Area. This has led to the development and expansion of the agency’s education programs serving young children, youth, and adults; leadership opportunities for community members; wellness programs; and family support services.

Laura holds an undergraduate degree in international relations with minor degrees in economics and Spanish from the University of Minnesota, as well as a Master's degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages from San Francisco State University. Laura has worked in education since 1998, and has taught English and citizenship at City College of San Francisco as well as pre-university preparation and writing in the multilingual composition program at San Francisco State University.

Laura loves her work at RIT! She takes inspiration from our students and community members and continues to learn so much from them.

+ Jyoti Gurung

Refugee & Immigrant Transitions Development and Program Coordinator

Jyoti immigrated to the U.S. in 2009 from Nepal as a Bhutanese Refugee. She went to Oakland International High School and was a Peer Tutor/Youth Leader in Refugee & Immigrant Transitions’s after-school tutoring program. After graduating from OIHS, she continued to join forces with RIT as an Alumni Tutor and Intern. She graduated in May 2016 from San Francisco State University with a B.S. degree in Business Management. She began to work as a Development and Program Associate in June 2016. She assists with fundraising and communications, as well as adult, youth, and volunteer programs. Jyoti is a recipient of the 2017 Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Award for Youth Leadership.

+ Ganesh Senchuri: Music

Special Music Performance

Ganesh Senchuri is from Nepal. He grew up in Nepal and became fascinated with music at an early age. Upon moving to the US in 2011, while in High school, he chose to join in choir group and learned more about music. Even though he is going for software Engineering in college, he enjoys making music and providing music classes for kids from his Nepali community during the summer. You can hear Ganesh's songs at Ganesh Music on Youtube.

If you are unable to attend, we hope you will consider supporting RIT today: 

What You Support: RIT Services During COVID-19

Thank you for Sponsorship!

This year, we have named our sponsorship levels after historic trees. They symbolize endurance, resilience, and optimism--attributes commonly associated with the experiences, journey, and aspirations of immigrant communities. Trees are life-giving, majestic, and rejuvenating. They provide refuge, sanctuary and relief.

Top Tier Sponsorship: “Sequoia”

Sponsorship: “Redwood”

Sponsorship: “Ponderosa Pine”

Sponsorship: “Sitka Spruce”

RIT Services During COVID-19

September 1, 2020—With COVID-19 and economic downturn, community demand for RIT programs (virtual education, language access, navigating resources…) is as high as ever. Check out this short video to see how we’re adapting:

(Please see video transcript below).

Together, we can help ensure that ALL of us get through this. With our students, community partners, volunteers, and supporters, we work towards a community where:  

• No one is barred from accessing vital resources (such as unemployment benefits, food banks, housing programs, etc.) due to language barriers -- with RIT’s multilingual team that speaks 12+ languages.  

• Adults and youth engage in top-notch distance learning, tailored to their language and educational level -- with RIT’s virtual education programs (that see increased enrollment: most RIT adult class rosters increased by 60-80% compared to Spring 2020). 

• Our communities get an accurate count in the Census, to ensure just distribution of government funds -- with RIT’s Census outreach.

• Small children engage in art, physical activities, and read with friends -- with RIT’s early childhood program.

• Everyone is socially supported, and no one falls through the cracks in this age of social distancing -- with RIT’s workshops, support groups, and circle to make face masks.

Thank you for being part of the RIT community!

Want to further support RIT? Please share on social media.

Sample post: Local nonprofit, Refugee & Immigrant Transitions, needs your support! [Enter your own RIT story]. They help refugee and immigrant families in the Bay Area cope with the impact of COVID-19 and the economic crisis. RIT is a multilingual and multicultural agency that provides English language, youth development, wellness, system navigation, and other support. Demand for their work is as high as ever. Check out the video below and donate at reftrans.org/give. https://youtu.be/evN_61q0-Gs

+ Click here to read the video transcript

• RIT is operating at full capacity during COVID-19.
• Together with our communities, we’re adapting to the new reality.
• We now support refugee & immigrant communities in the virtual format:
• Virtual adult classes: English, Citizenship, Vocational.
• Youth programs with school partners: Virtual tutoring, Online class support.
• Our volunteer program is ongoing. Volunteers meet with students virtually or with social distancing.
• Narcisa is one of our youth students and a 2020 grad.
• Our staff & interns speak 12+ languages and provide multilingual support to refugees and immigrants:
• Navigating community resources, filling in applications, accessing free internet, and much more.
• We help our participants get counted in the Census.
• RIT’s virtual workshops & support groups reduce social isolation.
• Our Afghan women students run a virtual craft circle with RIT and ARTogether. They have already sown 300+ face masks for the community.
• We continue our early education program by holding virtual activities 2-3 times a week, and even making videos for the tots!
• Staff delivered packages to families, with items to use for the virtual tot program.
• ”In the last few months, I was reminded of the strength and drive of our students. They have inspired me to continue working for the best, no matter the challenges life throws at us.” - Ricardo, RIT Staff
• We couldn’t do it without YOU, our supportive community. Thank you!
• Our friends and supporters help keep these programs afloat. They also donated $14,500+ to direct financial relief campaign for RIT students.
• All of us benefit when refugees & immigrants thrive. Please support RIT’s vital programs: reftrans.org/give
• We’ll get through this together.
• Refugee & Immigrant Transitions: Education, Family Engagement, Community Leadership.

Action Alert! On World Refugee Day, Make Comment to Save Asylum

June 20, 2020— Today is World Refugee Day: a day to honor those who’ve sought refuge around the world. On this day, we are asking you to take action to advocate for people seeking refuge in the U.S.

We are asking you to please speak out against a proposed rule by the Trump Administration that would effectively end asylum in the United States. The rule has been published in the Federal Register, and is open for public comment until July 15th. We know that as RIT supporters, you care deeply about our country’s future as a safe haven for those who’ve sought refuge. Please scroll down to learn more, and comment in the Federal Register as soon as you can.

What does the new rule do? 

This sweeping 161-page regulation is the Trump Administration’s biggest blow yet to the U.S. asylum system. Among other changes, the regulation: 

• Denies asylum-seekers their day in court by allowing judges to reject applications without a hearing. 

• Bans asylum for those persecuted on account of their gender. 

• Significantly restricts asylum for those who experienced political persecution or torture. 

• Blocks virtually all who’ve passed through more than one country on their way to the U.S. 

• Disqualifies all who’ve failed to report income to the IRS or made a mistake in filing. 

• Bans asylum applications from those who’ve been in the U.S. for 1+ year before applying. 

Read more in this Mother Jones explainer with comments by Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of American Immigration Council. 

Template Comment (Please personalize - duplicate comments will not be counted): 

I write to express my strong opposition to Proposed Rule published in the Federal Register on June 15, 2020 (Docket ID: EOIR-2020-0003, RIN: 1125-AA94): “Procedures for Asylum and Withholding of Removal; Credible Fear and Reasonable Fear Review.” 

This proposed rule tightens eligibility standards for asylum-seekers to the point where it will be nearly impossible to qualify, and thus ending humanitarian protection as an option for immigrants to the U.S.

I care because [INSERT HERE YOUR OWN EXPERIENCE OR THOUGHTS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF ASYLUM PROTECTIONS]

The regulation goes against every fiber of the U.S. judicial system as well as all international principles of humanitarian protection. Most outrageously, it grants immigration judges the power to deny people their day in court by rejecting applications without a hearing. It rewrites current asylum law to eliminate multiple grounds under which people are currently afforded asylum, including gender. It creates unreasonable obstacles, such as blocking virtually all who pass through more than one country on their way to the United States (without pursuing relief in those countries), even if it is for a layover.  

Thank you for the opportunity to submit a comment on the proposed rulemaking. 

Sample Social Media Post
Action Alert! The new Trump Admin regulation decimates asylum protections for people seeking refuge. It’s the Admin’s biggest blow to asylum yet, and urgent action is needed! Public comments on the rule accepted until July 15, see more info & link below: reftrans.org/action-alert-save-asylum

Image credits: Kate Ausburn, Creative Commons license. No changes made to original image.

Alert: New Regulation will End Asylum

June 3, 2020— This week, the Trump Administration proposed a new immigration rule that would effectively end asylum in the United States. 

“This proposed regulation tightens eligibility standards for asylum-seekers to the point where it will be nearly impossible to qualify, and thus ending humanitarian protection as an option for immigrants,” says Galorah Keshavarz, immigration attorney, advocate, and RIT Board member. “The regulation that is intended to take effect Mid-July will change asylum law entirely.”  

“Firstly, the regulation will block virtually all who pass through more than one country on their way to the United States (without pursuing relief in those countries), even if it is for a layover,” Galorah explains. “It will rewrite current asylum law to eliminate multiple grounds under which people are currently afforded asylum, and most outrageously, it will grant immigration judges the power to deny people their day in court by rejecting applications without a hearing. This goes against every fiber of our judicial system.”

Learn More: 

• Mother Jones Explainer

• Asylum in the U.S. Fact Sheet  

The proposed rule changes are to be published in the Federal Register on June 15. The public will be able to leave comments. We will reach out next week with an action alert! (Please also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates.) 

Thank you so much for standing with asylum-seekers, refugees, and immigrants! 

In solidarity. 
Refugee & Immigrant Transitions Team

RIT Statement for Solidarity and Racial Justice

June 3, 2020—All over the country and here in the Bay Area, communities are grieving and protesting to demand justice after the horrific murder of George Floyd and countless other instances of police brutality and racism. As author and historian, Dr. Ibram X. Kendi, has stated in his recent article for the Atlantic: “racism is America's nightmare. There can be no American dream amid the American nightmare of anti-black racism—or of anti-Native, anti-Latino, anti-Asian racism." 

Art by Nikkolas Smith

At Refugee & Immigrant Transitions, we believe in human rights, dignity, and racial justice. We stand in solidarity with everyone impacted by police brutality and by systemic racism that devalues the lives of people of color in this country and around the world. Our deep condolences go to the families and friends of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Tony McDade, and others who were killed because of their race. 

Many of our students have sought refuge from state violence and police brutality in their home countries. Many continue to be racially profiled and discriminated against in the U.S. 

We recognize the toll that anti-Blackness and institutional racism have taken on our country, and advocate for solidarity across communities. Our vision is a welcoming society, where everyone, no matter their background, are welcomed and cherished. As an organization, we commit to continuous learning and deep reflection on our own biases, privileges, and spheres of influence.  

We invite you to visit the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota website for the latest information and action items regarding the George Floyd case. For more anti-racism resources, please see this list by Black Lives Matter.

In solidarity, 
Refugee & Immigrant Transitions Staff and Board of Directors 

#GivingTuesdayNow: Support Financial Assistance for RIT Clients!

May 5, 2020—Today is #GivingTuesdayNow: a global call to action. Many of us are feeling heartache and despair right now. But what we also see in our community, is the powerful desire to strengthen support networks, to lift up communities together.  

We invite you--if you can--to support RIT’s emergency fund for refugee and immigrant clients most in need. Your contribution will go directly towards financial assistance (help with rent, bills, etc.)  

In times of COVID-19, Refugee & Immigrant Transitions have fully pivoted to provide our services remotely. (Read last week’s blog post to learn more.) As our staff deliver virtual education, case management, and even hand deliver packages to some families, they have learned that some clients are in dire need (and not eligible for public assistance). 

Henna art by RIT staff, Jyoti Gurung: “Coming Together” 

We are working closely with staff, volunteers, and school district partners--SF International High School, Fremont High School, Oakland Unified School District--to better assist families and identify the highest-need for direct monetary support. 

We couldn’t do our work without our thoughtful community members (like you!) Thank you!  

Hope in Times of COVID-19: YOU Can Help Reduce Barriers

April 24, 2020 - Many in our community have expressed concern about the most vulnerable neighbors, especially immigrant families. Like other working-class Californians, a lot of refugees and immigrants have lost jobs and don’t know how they will pay rent. Immigrants represent 20% of the workers in the hardest-hit industries. Many don’t have access to safety-net programs available to U.S. citizens.  

If you are able to, we invite you to support refugee and immigrant families impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Our multilingual team is working hard to provide educational and family support services remotely. But our students still have immense barriers, such as language, tech skills, and computer/internet access. Your support is essential to ensure no one falls through the cracks.

Per the new CARES Act to help the economy, up to $300 in charitable gifts will qualify for a tax deduction. (For those who don’t claim itemized deductions on their federal income tax returns.)

Carmen and Amanda (pictured above) are two of RIT’s multilingual staff members on the front lines. Each day, they call dozens of newcomer youth and families who speak Spanish, Mam, and English.

One of the biggest issues for low-income refugee and immigrant youth is navigating the new reality of virtual schooling. 

“When students get information from schools, it’s all in English,” says Carmen. “Another issue that’s coming up is internet access. Getting a computer and internet takes multiple steps, which are very hard to navigate if you don’t speak English.” Carmen spends a lot of time helping kids get home internet, translating, and answering questions. 

Her goal is to ensure access to educational opportunities, such as RIT’s virtual tutoring. Despite school closures, RIT staff and volunteers continue to tutor youth remotely and support them on their pathways to graduation. (Last year, 84% of RIT students graduated high school, compared to 69% of English learners statewide.) 

These virtual education programs also maintain precious social connections. “Now that the schools have shifted to remote learning, students feel disconnected. I am excited that our virtual tutoring will help them regain the sense of community,” says Carmen. It allows the youth to “just be students and just be kids in this time.” 

RIT’s case managers (like Zar Ni and Sandra pictured above) are busy sharing community resources, helping navigate online bureaucratic systems, and filling in applications (such as unemployment). The online benefit systems are overloaded right now, so it’s especially critical that clients have someone to help them in their native language. 

We also continue to share vital COVID-information and hold virtual wellness workshops. 

Would you please join us today and ensure that all community members are supported? 

We are dedicating a portion of the funds to provide financial support to RIT students most in need (such as assistance with rent and utility bills.) Some families we serve might not have access to other relief options. 

Thank you so much for standing with us!

Refugee & Immigrant Transitions COVID-19 Response

March 26, 2020 - In light of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, RIT is bringing our community together in new ways.

First of all, we’d like all our friends and supporters to know that we are so grateful for their overwhelming support to keep us going during this difficult time. To all the volunteers reaching out and asking how they can help, to supporters seeking to donate cash and needed items… thank you! You are essential.

RIT On-site services: 

Following Shelter-in-Place policies in the SF Bay Area, RIT has moved our on-site programming to the virtual space. RIT staff are working remotely. We are: 

• Reaching out to the RIT community to reduce social isolation and provide education about COVID-19, the Census, and community resources; 

• Continuing family support services over the phone;

• Helping address clients’ economic security issues related to COVID-19;

• Launching distance learning strategies for students in our educational programs;

• Starting a YouTube channel of educational videos for students (led by RIT team members).

Pictured: Educational video of RIT staff, Amanda, reading a children's book for our youngest students.

Home-based tutoring/mentoring:

We are encouraging all of our home-based volunteers to continue meeting with their students virtually. We are reaching out to volunteers to provide resources.

Take action:

In these times of increased social isolation, RIT services are needed more than ever to bring our community together in new ways. By supporting RIT, you help ensure that our Bay Area community comes out of this crisis stronger, more welcoming, and more resilient.

Join Us In Supporting Indigenous Newcomers!

The New Yorker recently published a great article: “A Translation Crisis at the Border”. It focuses on Indigenous Guatemalans who have been forcibly displaced by violence and climate change. Even after their arduous journey to the U.S. and trials at the border, many experience a major barrier: lack of language support for Indigenous languages.

RIT does not work at the border—but our community’s joint efforts have allowed us to provide multi-language services to more and more Indigenous newcomers.  

Per the New Yorker, “at least forty per cent of the children and teen-agers arriving in the Bay Area” are Mayans who speak Mam. Therefore, hiring Mam-speaking interpreters and cultural liaisons is a massive community need.

Together, we are filling this need.

RIT now has two Mam-speaking staff who work at Oakland schools. Maria Aguilar, Community Navigator visits schools and provides navigation support to students and families. Since 2017, Maria has supported many of the 1,200+ Mam speakers in the school district at 50+ school sites. And Carmen Jimenez (pictured above), who graduated from UCLA last year, is our new School-Based Program Associate.

Carmen provides academic support and mentoring at two schools, one of which is Fremont High School (her alma mater!) She also recruits high-achieving bilingual youth for our leadership program.

Meet one of our youth leaders, Dagoberto--a senior at Fremont High School. For the past year and a half, Dagoberto has been a peer tutor in RIT’s after-school tutoring program. He is trilingual, speaking Mam, Spanish, and English.

“Even if I struggle, I still help my friends and classmates,” he says. “Not everyone speaks the same language and we can help each other. If someone speaks Mam or speaks in Spanish or other languages like Arabic, we can still try to speak with them in their language. We can try and we can help.” 

We couldn't do this work without your support.
Thank you for welcoming newcomers in the Bay Area!

“I Can See My Dream”: Masuma’s Story

“Working with Refugee & Immigrant Transitions made me closer to my dream that was teaching.”

— Masuma, RIT Early Childhood Education Provider

View fullsize

In Afghanistan, Masuma's family was devoted to education. Her father was a teacher, inspiring Masuma and her siblings to follow in his footsteps. “‘You can do it!’ always my father told me.” She became a kindergarten teacher. 

View fullsize

“Children’s world is so beautiful and simple. They are thinking unique and I like their questions.” When Masuma came to the U.S. with her husband and kids, her dream was to continue her career in education.

But starting a career in America is not easy, even for those who are born here. Like many newcomers RIT serves, Masuma needed to overcome extra barriers: language and unfamiliar systems, as well as childcare barriers.

Through RIT, Masuma joined a welcoming community that shared her passion for education. A community that YOU are helping nurture.

After just two weeks in the U.S., Masuma enrolled in our Women’s Initiative English class - a popular program with many Afghan moms. 

“We studied about health and illnesses, money and shopping, and more. The class was good because it had childcare for my children.” Unlike most adult classes, the Women’s Initiative allows women to study while their small children stay in the class or join the on-site early childhood program.

RIT also matched Masuma with a home-based tutor, who helped her further brush up on her English. “I felt my teacher is my friend. Always we had a nice conversation, so I did not feel alone.” 

View fullsize

Through your support, RIT walks with our students on their leadership journeys. We honor their experience, knowledge, and skills. With her teaching background and high English skills, Masuma became a Community Leader Intern in our early childhood program. And soon, she was promoted to RIT staff member!

She is also studying English and child development at a local college. “I know the time is going fast and I can see my dream. I really like to help people!”

Your support of RIT has a multiplier effect. Thank you for welcoming newcomer families so they may thrive in our shared communities!

Tea and Tutoring: Friendship Without Borders

Shared with RIT by Jenn Hourani, a native of San Francisco, child of refugees, and RIT volunteer. Follow Jenn on Medium: https://medium.com/@jennhourani

“I never knew if they were coming back home,” my grandma once told me, when I asked her what it was like to raise kids during a civil war. 

There were lots of stories I heard, growing up in a family of refugees, but this one stands out. I would imagine my grandma’s brown eyes, watching the street from her bathroom window, wondering if the people she loved would survive the perilous days of Beirut in the 1970s.

The wars in the Middle East have kept millions of mothers like her, in constant fear of loss. The conflicts of the region have ravaged ancient, poetic landscapes. They have divided cultures that are more similar than different. They have drowned the global perception of the Middle East in violence and media clichés.

But as strong as this darkness has been, the light of the Middle Eastern people is stronger. 

I see it most clearly in refugees – the survivors in my family, and in the displaced community of Refugee & Immigrant Transitions.

A couple years ago, around my birthday, I was reflecting on the abundance of my life. I was comparing my lifestyle of workout classes and tech companies to the tubs of bath water and underground bomb shelters that housed my mom and her siblings. I was grateful for my life, but I needed to translate my gratitude into action. I wanted to support the same community as the one that had raised me, and after a quick Google search, I found Refugee & Immigrant Transitions. 

After my trainings and background check, I was paired with M., a young woman from Yemen in her early 20s who spoke Arabic. I later discovered that - like many refugees - she had navigated various cultures and countries on her escape route. Survival meant moving through Africa, the Middle East, the East Coast, and California, where she finally settled with her husband and newborn daughter. 

In just a couple years, my student had adapted  to more cultural environments than some of us will experience in a lifetime.

I remember my first time walking into M.'s building, seeing Yemeni kids playing outside while somber adults whispered to each other in the lobby. There was a lingering scent of fried onions and garlic, just like my mom’s kitchen.

As soon as I walked into her apartment, I could feel M.’s strength in the first hour of meeting her. 

She pieced sentences together to answer our questions, despite feeling shy. She shifted her baby from one arm to the other while serving us adeni tea - a hot mix of cinnamon, herbs, and sweetened milk. Her warmth and hospitality towards me and Grace, RIT’s program coordinator, reminded me of my own family. Throughout the initial introductions and paperwork, M. and I gave each other shy smiles. We set expectations for learning, of which her husband was deeply supportive. He didn’t show much emotion towards us, but I remember him clasping her hand with pride when he said, “Make sure you keep it challenging for her. She’s very smart and picks up quickly.” 

In the beginning, I didn’t know how much to ask, or what to say. I didn’t want to pry into her past, and I wasn’t sure how much of my Lebanese Arabic she would understand. I was dependent on textbook lessons, pictures in our booklets, and post-it notes I stuck on objects around her house.

Once a session, her alarm would go off. It was a man’s voice, chanting in Arabic. She would shift around on her couch and look up at the clock, but she never said anything. One day I asked her what the alarm meant. “It’s the holy call to prayer,” she said quietly, and I realized how much I didn’t know about Muslim traditions. Growing up in a Lebanese Christian culture, I had never been in the home of a Muslim family. From that moment on, we stopped our tutoring whenever the chant came on. I would play with her daughter, while M. washed her hands and prayed in the bedroom with the door closed. 

In the silence of those moments, I could feel something sacred and ancient taking place.

M. showed passionate dedication to her studies. I would give her homework from the RIT textbook; I would ask her to translate short songs in English; I would make up assignments to keep her engaged. She completed everything, every week, without fail. She asked insightful questions about our complicated language. She wrote down corrections in Arabic and English. She juggled childcare with our lectures flawlessly.

I knew she wouldn’t be challenged with random homework assignments forever, though. I started asking about goals, like holding a conversation with someone at the store. I figured little things would be accessible, given the few months we’d shared.

M. had bigger plans. “I want to get my driving permit and pass my citizenship test. Maybe go to school.” 

As I got to know her better, I stopped being surprised (but remained infinitely impressed) by M.’s ambition.

I began introducing more complicated language concepts. I had her write out entire stories, dreams, ideas she had. I helped her research a few different language school options. 

The sessions became a mix of school research, grammar, written assignments, and – my favorite part – two women from opposite sides of the world, talking over tea. 

As a working class family trying to make ends meet, M. and her baby were supported solely by her husband’s delivery and rideshare income. While this was not an easy feat, especially in the Bay Area, M.’s generosity never ceased. She brewed her special adeni tea for me every time, with a spread of Yemeni snacks. She painted a sunflower on canvas for my birthday. She made to-go bags of treats for my parents. I accepted her gifts with humility and gratitude, each time.

Over tea, we would talk about her tight-knit upbringing, Yemen’s lush landscapes, and her siblings abroad. I would talk about my job, my parents, and the experience of being born here, with each foot in a different culture. As her English evolved, we discussed bigger topics, mixing Arabic with English – belief systems, family dynamics, love, philosophy, art. We laughed at jokes. I looked forward to my visits with her, excited to see what new discussions were possible between two people with such different circumstances.

Pictured: A Yemeni landscape

With M.’s permission, I brought my mom to her house for a visit. My mom made us breakfast, and shared stories with M. about what it was like to raise a baby girl in a new country. Watching M. sitting at the table with my mom, while I played with M.’s daughter, was a transcendental moment.

Three generations of women filled that living room, each from a different time and faith, united by the borderless love of a mother for her child. 

Half of me savored this unique, intercultural moment, while the other half of me was angry that these eye-opening connections weren’t more common within my culture.

About eight months into her tutoring, M. shared an idea. One of her neighbors had discovered an adult English school nearby, and she was considering attending. I mentioned that she didn’t have her driver’s license – how would she get there? “No problem – I’ve figured out the bus system”, she reassured me. She asked her husband to stay with the baby during her class time, knowing how important her goals were to their family’s future. 

At that same time, RIT sent a new English assessment test to gauge M.’s progress. The results showed that M. had graduated from Beginner to Intermediate English! I was so proud that her consistency and commitment had paid off. She could now enter adult school with head start - and sure enough, she placed into an Intermediate English course, and hit the ground running.

We’ve since transitioned from a working relationship to a supportive friendship, as M. continues her formal English studies. My work gave M. the foothold she needed, but our time together was never the end goal. 

I wasn’t “the expert” I had imagined myself to be, as a privileged native of this culture. I was a starting point. 

My purpose was to advocate for her - and that, to me, is the role of a mentor. We are here in service, to amplify the voices of a displaced community, supporting them as they adjust to a life they didn’t anticipate. M.’s ambition parallels my family’s survival, my vision for myself as a woman, and so much more. 

In hindsight, I’m not entirely clear on who was mentoring whom. What I know with certainty, is that the simplest moments of connection have the power to transcend borders. 

The commonalities we share, bind us together and transform diversity from our divider to our collective power.

It is with this power, and these shared experiences, that we actively create a stronger future than we could’ve ever imagined. And for that, I’m immensely grateful to Refugee & Immigrant Transitions for the chance to learn this lesson.

We are deeply grateful to Jenn and all of our volunteers and students who have generously shared their stories with us. Check out more volunteer testimonials here:

“My heart is at least two sizes bigger now”: A family story

Meet Anandi: RIT volunteer for 8 years

"My Heart is At Least Two Sizes Bigger Now": A Family Story

Six years ago, Mary and James from Burma welcomed a new friend. Jean came into their life as an RIT volunteer tutor for their daughters, but has since become family.

Jean with Mary, James, and their four girls in 2015

Mary: “The first day she came, we were so excited. We could not wait to meet our new tutor. We did not know what to expect. After that it was so much fun, every time she came, the girls learned so much. She brought us toys and books. When her son is home from college, he also comes and helps teach the girls too.”

There are so many wonderful days that I remember.

Last Christmas, we went to Ms Jean’s house and made cupcakes and opened presents, and then we walked around the neighborhood to look at all the Christmas lights.”

Jean’s first Xmas with the family in 2013

Jean: I have been visiting Mary and James since their oldest daughter was a 2nd grader. She is now a young lady in 8th grade. All of the children are doing well in school.

I can’t wait to attend some college graduations in a few years!”

One of Jean and the girls’ science experiments. In the background: the girls’ aunt, Nuam with RIT volunteer, Janet

Jean: “Every year through about fourth grade, the girls have to do a science fair project. Last year, our experiment was, “Does dog saliva kill germs?” For that experiment, we got Petri dishes and inert bacteria, and visited friends with dogs to collect saliva samples. I was excited about it because I had never been good at science in school, and this felt like my second chance to try. It turns out that dog saliva DOES kill germs! Who knew?”

The family in 2019 (with a new addition: a little brother for the girls!)

Mary: “Ms Jean helped us find a new apartment. She came with us and stood in line and helped us fill out the papers, not one time, but several times. One day, an apartment office where we had been on the waiting list for many years, called James and told him that we did not qualify for that apartment anymore. Ms Jean and James went to the apartment office and explained our situation, and persuaded the apartment office to change their minds.

We got the apartment after all, and we were so grateful.

When we moved, the girls had to change school districts, so Ms Jean came with us and helped us fill out the paperwork for the new schools.”

Jean is moving to another city, so she won’t be seeing the family as often anymore. But the memories they’ve made together will stay for life.

Mary: “When we visit Burma, or when we talk to our family on the phone, we tell them how much we love Ms Jean and how blessed we are to have her. The kids love her so much, they get so excited when she is coming to see us. She loves the children and always listens to their stories.

We always tell our kids, never forget Ms Jean.”

Jean: “Some days I feel frustrated about my job, or I question what am I doing in my life that has meaning?  Am I using my time wisely? Sometimes I wish I had done things differently as a mother or as a friend. But the moment I walk through the door at James and Mary’s home, I know I am spending my time well.

I have learned so much from James and Mary about love, marriage, and family. Through all of their hard times, their struggles with money and language and being in a new culture—all  the difficulties they have overcome just to be here—through all of that, they are loving, unfailingly kind, and good to each other. I feel privileged to be allowed to sit inside the warm glow of their family circle. They’ve given me so much more than I have given them. 

My heart is at least two sizes bigger now.”

Last year, Refugee & Immigrant Transitions worked with 288 dedicated volunteers like Jean. Together, we create stories and relationships that change lives and strengthen our shared communities.

Check out other student and volunteer stories:

Tea and Tutoring: Friendship Without Borders

Meet Anandi: RIT Volunteer for 8 Years

RIT Film: Languages of Hope

Presenting: Refugee & Immigrant Transitions 101

Watch our new “Refugee & Immigrant Transitions 101” video to learn about the life-changing impact of our programs. Directed in 2019 by Jason Outenreath. With clips from films by Jason Outenreath (Languages of Hope) and Kate Lord (This Is Our Home, A Wish to Give Back, and Pursuing Dreams). Produced by Jyoti Gurung, Julia Glosemeyer, Laura Vaudreuil (Refugee & Immigrant Transitions).

Statement: U.S. Refugee Program in Peril

September 27, 2019: The U.S. refugee admissions program has experienced a major blow. Join us and agencies across the nation in advocating for refugees.

"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." The refugee program has long exemplified values our nation holds most sacred and dear. Since the Refugee Act was adopted in 1980, all presidential Administrations--both Republican and Democratic--had set annual admission ceilings of at least 67,000. Except for the current Administration.

[Pictured: highest admissions ceilings of previous Administrations]

Continuing its assault on refugees and immigrants, the Trump Administration just announced a record low admissions cap of just 18,000 refugees for next year. It is an exceedingly cruel decision at a time when 70.8 million people have been displaced worldwide, and 25.9 million of them are refugees forced out of their own countries.

In addition to denying humanitarian protections, the Administration's decision compromises U.S. strategic interests. It also deprives many U.S. communities of the opportunities for revitalization, cultural enrichment, and economic growth that come with refugee resettlement. According to Partnership for a New American Economy, "refugees help reverse population decline, start new businesses, create jobs, and boost tax revenues."

Our agency has seen refugee admissions' impact firsthand since it was launched as The Refugee Women's Program in 1982. "Since I've joined RIT in 2001, I've been privileged to meet so many compassionate and determined individuals who had come to the Bay Area through the U.S. refugee program," says Laura Vaudreuil, RIT's Executive Director. "So many have become trusted colleagues and friends."

We stand in solidarity with refugees around the world, and are ready to welcome them in our community.

By law, the Trump Administration must consult with Congress prior to setting the annual admissions goal.

We've Changed Our Name to Refugee & Immigrant Transitions!

On behalf of the Board and Staff of our agency, we are thrilled to announce that we are officially changing our organization’s name to Refugee & Immigrant Transitions. 

We expanded our name to be more inclusive of the diverse populations that we serve. Our agency has been working with people from 50 countries who’ve sought refuge in the U.S., whether refugees, asylum-seekers, or immigrants (regardless of documented status). We strongly feel like our name change has a special significance in this political climate, when our media is inundated with negative messaging around immigration. It is more critical than ever to express solidarity with our immigrant students. 

At the same time, we are keeping the words Refugee and Transitions, which we’ve had since 1990. We continue to serve those who came to the Bay Area through the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Besides that, the word “refugee” recognizes that all of our students, no matter their specific status, have experienced forced migration and sought refuge from war, persecution, violence, economic duress, and/or climate change. We help our students transition and adjust to their new lives in the U.S. and achieve ambitious goals such as education, employment, citizenship, and community engagement. 

We are also proud to present our new mission statement:

“To welcome and partner with those who have sought refuge, employing strengths-based educational approaches and community supports so they may thrive in our shared communities.”  

The term strengths-based encapsulates our approach to designing our programs. We recognize that newcomers bring innumerable internal assets to the U.S. and make significant community contributions. They bring “job skills of the future” such as multilingualism, multiculturalism, adaptability, and determination. In our home-based tutoring program, we foster cross-cultural relationships and often observe volunteers learning from their students. Through our community leadership program, we are honored to work with/provide internships to community members and leaders.

Our students achieve outstanding outcomes. At least 80% of the high school seniors who had passed through our academic assistance programs, graduate high school every year (outperforming English learner peers in California). 90-100% of our youth leaders enter college after graduating, many of them the first in their families to do so. As for our adult students, they make significant English language gains to navigate their new community, participate more actively in their children’s education, gain employment, and become U.S. citizens. 

We are so excited about this new chapter of our agency’s history! We are grateful for your friendship and support.

[left to right: Laura Vaudreuil and Jane Pak]

Jane Pak, Board Chair

Laura Vaudreuil, Executive Director

Be Part of Refugee and Immigrant Transitions' Oakland Newcomer Hub!

It is with joy that we invite you to be part of the growth of Refugee and Immigrant Transitions’ Oakland Newcomer Hub.

In this time, when so many of our refugee and immigrant neighbors feel unwelcome in the U.S., it’s as critical as ever to have a community space filled with warmth, love, and support. That’s the idea behind our Oakland Newcomer Hub. Located within walking distance from many of our clients’ homes, this hub is a resource center for the whole family. 

We are proud of the recently-finished renovations of the space. Thank you to all the RIT staff and volunteers who contributed their time and skills (including design!) and to our building owner and partner, Harbor House. 

Refugees, asylum-seekers, and immigrants coming into the space can expect to receive a range of services. Those include English language/literacy/vocational classes, early childhood education, multilingual/multicultural case management (shared with our site partner, Burma Refugee Families & Newcomers), wellness workshops, support groups, and quarterly community events. Our staff’s work is supported by a community of amazing and committed volunteers, who make an impact as classroom assistants. 

Last year, we served approximately 700 newcomers at the space. Our students achieve outstanding outcomes. For instance, 62% of our Vocational English class students made significant English gains in 2018-2019 (completed a language level), outperforming California state goals for adult learners. And at least 80% of parents surveyed agree that their children are better prepared for kindergarten thanks to our early childhood education programming. Besides numbers, there are countless stories of cross-cultural friendships and increased sense of confidence and leadership. These outcomes would not have been possible without the support of our donors, funders, and community partners. We are grateful for their generosity and vision.

“We want students to feel part of the community, that’s the main goal of RIT.”

— Shaheen, RIT Community Leader & Classroom Assistant at Oakland Newcomer Hub

Statement: We Will Not Turn Our Backs on Refugees!

July 19, 2019 - Refugee program shutdown?

According to Politico, the Trump Administration is reportedly considering the most severe cuts yet to the U.S. refugee program. At a key meeting last week, officials floated numbers ranging from ZERO to 10,000 admissions for the next fiscal year. That would spell a virtual shutdown of the refugee program, which has saved millions of lives since its establishment in 1980. Cutting admissions would also imperil our country's future capacity to resettle people seeking refuge.

The Trump Administration has already made serious blows to the refugee program by setting historically low resettlement caps each year, and failing to meet even those numbers. At the same time, it is making moves to decimate the asylum program--another lifeline for "the huddled masses yearning to breathe free." These programs are testament to the most cherished American values of hospitality and freedom.

Join us in calling elected Senators and Representatives and demanding they ACT NOW to increase refugee admissions and fight the asylum ban.

Update: Here are some useful scripts:

• GRACE Act to grow the refugee admission program (International Rescue Committee)

• Stop the Asylum Ban (Refugee Council USA)

Statement: Devastating New Policy by the Trump Administration

July 15, 2019 - The Trump Administration is planning to turn away asylum-seeking families at the Southern border

Today, a devastating new policy was announced--one of the Trump Administration's most serious blows yet to the long-standing humanitarian principle of protecting people seeking refuge. Per the regulation (due to go into effect tomorrow, July 16), individuals and families fleeing violence will no longer be able to exercise their legal right to pursue asylum in the U.S., if they pass through another country before arriving at the U.S. border. This means that our country is effectively shutting its doors to families--most prominently, Central Americans--who travel through Mexico, Guatemala, and other countries to get here. Many will be forced to stay in Mexico, where conditions for migrants are highly unsafe. Read more about the new policy here.

The new plan, along with the gross indignity forced upon asylum-seekers in Customs and Border Patrol detention camps, is part of a systematic effort to dismantle migrants' human rights and punish them for being "other." Refugee Transitions joins the many immigrant advocacy agencies who are speaking out in condemnation of this cruelty. According to legal experts, the new regulation is in clear violation of U.S. and international law. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has already announced its intention to file a court challenge.

Please contact your elected representatives and demand they take action to protect people seeking refuge in the U.S.

Update: Here is a useful call script from Refugee Council USA.

Learn what RT is doing to welcome our asylum-seeking neighbors.

Crisis at the Southern Border: RT Board Member, Amy Argenal Shares Observations from McAllen Humanitarian Respite Center

Amy Argenal is Director of Service Learning at The Urban School of San Francisco, Adjunct Faculty at the University of San Francisco, and RT Board Member.

The news is filled with harrowing images from the U.S. Southern border. Images that depict the conditions experienced by those seeking refuge in the U.S.

I recently spent a week in the border city of McAllen, TX. I want to stress the horror of all that is taking place there.

I volunteered at the McAllen Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center, helping immigrant families who had been detained at Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) facilities. Spending time with these families and hearing their stories was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had visited Central America and walked in solidarity with those fighting for the right to remain in their home countries; I had spoken with those on the Brownsville/Matamoros bridge waiting to cross into the U.S.; and yet there is something distinct in the faces of those I have seen leaving CBP detention.

Families told me about the awful conditions they faced in detention.

The CBP facilities were freezing cold, even outside the notoriously frigid holding cells that many call Las Hieleras (iceboxes). I met one woman from Honduras who had traveled here with her two children, 8 and 10 years old. She had to spend two days in the icebox with her children, and then another five at a packed facility, eating only frozen bread with lunch meat.  There were not enough mattresses for people to sleep on, and many were sleeping on cold concrete floors, in very crowded conditions.  On top of that, the mattresses were picked up every morning at 4 am. Even if people could fall asleep (the lights were never turned off), there wasn’t much rest to be had. 

I was unable to find one family share that they were able to shower in the CBP facilities. Most told me how their children were stripped to either just a diaper, or a diaper and a onesie. If those got dirty, the families had no options. 

I held sick children of all ages, the youngest a baby of 3 days old. 

One woman from Guatemala shared that her 8-month-old was not sick prior to entering detention, but with the cold and the illness inside, left with a 104 fever. Many of the families left detention with respiratory illnesses, the flu, pink eye and strep throat.  There were many stomach-born illnesses as well, and yet no one was offered any medical care, or even pain relief.

I share these stories because it is extremely important to bear witness. It is also important to remember these three things:

1.      These families are asylum-seekers who are coming to our Southern border to seek refuge. They are fleeing their homes because they have no other options. They undertake long and arduous journeys because of extreme conditions in their homelands: gang violence and extortion, gender-based violence, political persecution, and economic duress.

2.     Many are not coming in through the official ports of entry, because the ports are very, very slow if functioning at all. I visited the Brownsville/Matamoros bridge where migrants can officially cross into the U.S., but no one had been allowed to cross in a full week.  Those who find other ways to cross, are turning themselves to Border Patrol the minute they arrive on U.S. soil. Seeking unofficial crossings is the only option for many families who cannot afford to wait months or longer to be processed at ports of entry. Many have no money left after their journey.

3.     Once families arrive, they still have a long way ahead of them before they can begin to settle. The attention to the Southern border is extremely important but we also must stay engaged through the entire process. When families leave the McAllen Humanitarian Respite Center, the next step is reunification with family members living in the U.S. Many are confused about what to do/where to go, with little to no money for the long bus trip. They will arrive into communities being told they cannot work, and will face a difficult legal battle to obtain asylum. They also must find ways to heal from the trauma they have experienced both in their home countries and along the journey.

These are all the important reasons why organizations like RT are so important. 

RT’s work with asylum-seeking families is vital in the final stages of their journeys. Our agency supports educational opportunities so families can begin to settle and hopefully heal.  We must be outraged at the treatment of those coming to seek refuge in our country. We MUST stay engaged and supportive in the long journey immigrants make in order to find safety and a new home. 

Image credits: Kate Ausburn, Creative Commons license. No changes made to original image.

Take action to welcome people who've sought refuge

June 20 is World Refugee Day—a day to honor all people who have been displaced.

Syrians. Eritreans. South Sudanese. Yemeni. Guatemalans. Rohingya. And so many more.

War, persecution, and violence are creating worldwide forced displacement unseen since World War II. According to the latest United Nations data, 25.9 million people are considered refugees, uprooted from their home countries and thrust into a legal limbo. People from all walks of life have been shut off from opportunities that would allow them to build better futures. Today, more than ever, this deep systemic injustice requires a global and local response.

What is it like to be a refugee?

Despite an urgent need for resettlement, the U.S. is closing its doors on refugees.

Nativist sentiment in Global North countries like the U.S. has disrupted long-standing traditions of providing safe haven to the displaced. Even though two-thirds of Americans support taking in refugees, the Trump administration has committed to only resettling 30,000 this year.

Our goal is to help recreate the sense of dignity, safety, and belonging.

With the support of our community members (such as YOU!), RT continues to welcome refugees, as well as asylum-seekers and immigrants regardless of documented status. We recognize that getting adjusted to an unfamiliar society is a challenging process, so we serve both new arrivals and those who’ve lived in the Bay Area for some time. Our students can count on RT to meet them “where they’re at” on their pathways to education, employment, citizenship, and community engagement.

Our staff and community leaders provide multilingual and multicultural support in common languages of local refugee and immigrant communities, including Arabic, Burmese, Dari, Farsi, Mam, Nepali, Pashto, and Spanish. We work in partnership with our community to honor all forced migrants and to ensure they feel safe and welcome in their new home.

Meet community leaders who’ve sought refuge in the U.S.