Written by Garrett Gibbons
Kirsten helped her friend Ellin organize a small Thanksgiving dinner for the 40 Syrian refugees who they meet with on a regular basis.
“It’s great to do something a little bigger than myself.”
She made a little post on Facebook, asking if anyone wanted to donate food, and it lead to a huge response. More than 25 people donated cash, raising over $1000 for this event; more than 50 people donated food and drinks, and a few dozen more came and helped prepare and serve the food. Seeing that the event was growing, Impact Hub donated their large and beautiful space in downtown Seattle to fit all of the people involved.
Kirsten is overwhelmed at the outpouring of goodness from so many people, and is thankful for the people who were once strangers to these refugees who came to meet them and share a meal together.
When the meal was over, the remaining food was donated to the Union Gospel Mission homeless shelter across the street, who estimated that it would provide for 1500 meals over the coming days. Truly an outpouring of generosity throughout the community!
My First Asylum Case: An Attorney's Perspective on Asylum in the United States
I took my first asylum case in 2016, when our national dialog on immigration took a decidedly negative turn. As a corporate attorney, I had no experience in immigration law, but my license allowed me to represent individuals fleeing severe persecution and I signed with a local non-profit to offer my help. My first asylum client was a young mother and her two small daughters. I could see myself in Saba.
Their Story is Our Story Applauds the Signing of Virginia House Bill 995 and Continues Efforts to Open Doors for Foreign-trained Medical Professionals in Other States
Their Story is Our Story (TSOS), a non-profit organization that collects and shares the experiences of refugees to deepen understanding and influence action, applauds the signing of Virginia House Bill 995 into law by Governor Glenn Youngkin, after its unanimous passage through the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate. It will create a pathway for foreign-trained doctors who have immigrated to the state, including those whose careers were interrupted by forcible displacement, to fill workforce gaps in medically underserved communities.
Idaho One Refugee Conference
Last fall I was able to attend the 1Refugee Conference in Idaho. The event was well organized and everyone who approached our table was interested in what we did and wanted to know how to get involved. There were at least 100 students majoring in a variety of things who attended the event and we had 20 students give us their contact information. Most were interested in our internship programs.