Giving Tuesday 2018!

November 20, 2018

It’s that time of year!! This year Soft Landing Missoula will be participating again in the national day of giving, #GivingTuesday!

2018 has been a jam-packed year full of incredible refugee families and generous Missoulians. We have held countless events to bring refugees and Missoulians together including Welcoming Week, Supper Clubs, lectures, community talks, and the World Refugee Day Soccer Tournament. SLM has increased our existing programs and direct services for Missoula’s over 240 refugees including drivers education twice a week, one-on-one English tutoring, and our brand new Teen Program to help refugee teens build connections in their new homes and new community. Our Community Resource Center has flourished into a thriving hub with nearly 500 visits from refugees, volunteers, and community members in October alone!

On November 27, we encourage you to make a gift to Soft Landing Missoula to help us reach our goal of $5,000! Your support will impact our programming, events in the community, and resources here in the office. We are so grateful to have friends like you who have helped Missoula be a welcoming community we can all come home- we couldn’t do this without you!

To make a gift online, go to www.softlandingmissoula.org/donate or text “GIVE2SLM” to 44-321! You can also drop off a check at our office, 939 Stephens Ave Suite C, any time between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm on Tuesday, November 27! You can RSVP to our Facebook event here.

Mark your calendars for November 27th to support SLM on #GivingTuesday!

Soft Landing Missoula and University of Montana Volunteer Workshop

November 16, 2018

Please RSVP here

Newsletters

November 13 Newsletter

November 13, 2018

A “full” place…

I don’t mean hectic or overwhelming (most of the time anyway!), but full to the brim of life and love, mentorship and friendship, coats and more coats, laughter and tears, learning and playing, and of course, our most favorite thing- babies! 😉 This is what our office has become EVERYDAY! Wow! It really is a dream realized.

When Molly Cottrell and I set out a little over 2 years ago, planning our vision for what a Community Resource Center space might look like to turn this idea of a welcoming Missoula into reality, I think it looked pretty darn close to this. We get over 100 visitors weekly, coming in for a huge variety of reasons! We still teach driver’s education classes and run free in-kind donation “shopping”, but on any given day, there are countless other things people are stopping by for as well. Helping with confusing mail, taking a back seat on important phone calls just in case a little guidance is needed, checking out articles on current events, setting up email accounts, helping secure culturally appropriate food and home items, assisting motivated entrepreneurs, and yes, snuggling babies- are just a few of the things we get to do all day! Some folks just come in to connect- community members wanting to know how to get involved, refugees using our WiFi to talk to loved ones back home, folks swinging by on their way home from work just to say hi and sit for a bit while their kiddos play. Last Tuesday, we had 2 new tutor/mama matches join another long time Tuesday am pair and I was just floored to see the excitement, understanding, confidence, and growing friendship that was already blossoming that very first day. I can’t count the number of moments I have peeked out of my office in the last couple months and into the common area to just see it all happening, and I am in AWE.

I am in awe of what Soft Landing does and I have to give credit where credit is due. If you haven’t had the pleasure of meeting our staff- you are missing out! Many of you know Molly Cottrell- co-founder, my rock, and the real reason the office doors open on time every morning, but the two of us are overjoyed to have quite the team now! Molly and I plugged along (with HUGE board and volunteer support) for a year before we were joined by the best Vista Volunteer you could ever ask for- Megan Anderson- who has made much of our food programing and so so many other things possible this year. There is absolutely no way we could do what we do without her (and we are terrified for when her year is up!). Sophia Bay joined us 3 months ago and is the reason that you guys all love our Instagram feed now 😉 Hired for Development and Communications, she jumped right into the last line on the job description “and other duties as assigned” with gusto- especially the baby squeezing! Lastly, we can’t even express how excited we are to have realized another dream and hired one of our longest running volunteers- Greta Bates. Greta was part of the founding crew, having had experience with working with refugees back east while in College, she was on a mentor team for the second family that arrived in Missoula. We have watched as she falls into such an easy and honest relationship with everyone she meets. She is now connected, on her own, with the majority of Missoula’s 50+ refugee families and we hired her as our Family Resource Coordinator to ensure that Soft Landing cultivates solid and true relationships with refugee families so that our programming can be client driven and relevant. That and she has a super cute new baby! Is anyone seeing a theme here?!?!?!

Most importantly, our office is lively and amazing because of our new neighbors- refugee families that share so much with us: joy, struggle, humor, generosity, tenacity, insight, perspective, dreams, and baby snuggles (I can’t stop!!!), we are honored to have our little office be a place where all of this magic happens… So, mix the 5 of us in with at least a couple amazing volunteers each day, an incredible intern or two, and add a sprinkling of new neighbors filtering through all day- and lots of babies!- and you start to get an idea of what I say when I mean “full”, in the best way.

Well, I congratulate you if you got through all of that. I feel like it had been a while since I gave a good office update, and we have so so so much to good stuff to share! Thank you Missoula- new and old- for making our vision a reality. Stop in and see us sometime 😉

In love and gratitude,

Mary Poole

PS- To share one of the most powerful moments over the last week… The morning after the elections, we got to show two Eritrean fathers an article about a newly elected, first-generation Eritrean American Congressman from Colorado. Talk about excitement and a sparkle in the eye as they thought of their own children and the promise and opportunity of America with a little hard work, passion, and gumption!

November Supper Club is here!!

Call Soft Landing Missoula (493.0504) quick to join us on November 19th- next Monday!- at Scotty’s Table for a special Eritrean Buffet. Perfect food for a warm cozy early winter evening, the chefs are excited to share a variety of delicious entrees with you from their home country of Eritrea, as well as the beautiful and delicious Eritrean Coffee Ceremony. More details available here.

Volunteer Opportunity! Driver’s Education.

One of our best loved and most impactful programs, learning to drive becomes a cornerstone of a family’s self sufficiency, independence, and economic opportunity. Join us in helping people’s worlds grow. Find out more info on this fun and rewarding opportunity here.

Huge thanks to Gallatin Refugee Connections and the great people of Bozeman!

GRC collected over 200 welcome kits for IRC and SLM clients last weekend! This is the second year in a row that this incredible fall drive has overwhelmed us with generosity! You are all amazing! Great pictures and article here 😉

“Public Charge” Changes Imperil Refugees and Immigrants

As we now realize, this proposed change could affect refugees as well, because many families could withdraw from SNAP or TANF out of fear, as they have done in the past. We are re-running this updated statement, with a link to the IRC’s excellent toolkit. Please join us in making our voices heard BEFORE December 10th, when the public comment period will be closed and this could be a permanent change.

Kamoon Arabian Cuisine

Have you been missing Ammar’s incredible food at the Farmers’ Market?!? Did you know that he caters? He also just purchased a food truck and we will keep you up to speed with Kamoon Arabian Cuisine about town, but check out his expanded catering menu for holiday gatherings with family and friends!

More wonderful Pakistani cooking classes with Dr. Qureshi!

There may be a few spots left in this Thursday’s class. A great date night or ladies night, Iv’e always wanted to know how to cook a true Tikka Masala!

Driver’s Ed Volunteer Opportunity

November 13, 2018

Soft Landing Missoula is in search of more volunteer driving instructors! This is one of the most important direct service volunteer opportunities with Soft Landing. Driving is an incredibly powerful way to increase self sufficiency for refugees, both economically and socially, especially single mothers. With many new families having arrived over the summer and winter on its way, there are many eager students ready to get their license!

Driving volunteers take refugees who have their Learner’s Permit out to practice driving around Missoula. The students range in experience levels from never having driven a car to just needing to practice once or twice before they take their test. If you are interested in volunteering, email volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org for more details!

November Supper Club

November 13, 2018

We are thrilled to announce the United We Eat November Supper Club featuring Eritrean cuisine by the incredibly talented chefs Haben Asgedom and Abeba Meshesha!

The Soft Landing Missoula Supper Club aims to introduce the incredible culinary talent of Missoula’s newest neighbors, whose rich and flavorful cooking traditions provide a cultural bridge and enrich our shared community.

This month dinner will be at Scotty’s Table for the first time. We could not be more excited to partner with this wonderful restaurant to serve the unique and bold flavors of Eritrean cuisine! This supper club will be in a laid back friendly atmosphere with dinner served buffet style so you can sample a variety of traditional Eritrean dishes.

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Where: Scotty’s Table 131 South Higgins Avenue U3, Missoula, MT 59802

When: Monday, November 19th. Doors at 6:00 pm and dinner at 6:30pm

Cost: Eat: $40/person Give: $60/person Love: $80/person

When you pay you will have the option to: Eat: $40 for a delicious family style dinner, where a portion of the cost covers ingredients and staff time, and the rest goes to the guest chef. Give: $60 gets you the same delicious dinner, but with an additional $20 going directly to the guest chef. Love: $80 gives an additional $40 directly to the guest chef to collectively make this an unforgettable evening! All levels are welcome and appreciated!

How: To make a reservation call Soft Landing Missoula @ (406) 493-0504. Please leave your name, # of people in your party, email and your phone #.

Please direct any further questions to megan@softlandingmissoula.org

Events

Thank you Gallatin Refugee Connections!!

November 7, 2018

Last week, Gallatin Refugee Connections held their 2nd annual drive for the International Rescue Committee and Soft Landing Missoula to collect Welcome Kits that provide new and like-new household supplies and warm clothes for refugees arriving in Missoula.

Bozeman showed up in huge numbers and provided Missoula’s refugees with a 20’ truck and a 12’ trailer FULL TO THE BRIM with over 200 Welcome Kits!!!! We are still in awe and shock at how kind and generous the residents of Bozeman are.

Once the entire truckload of items arrived in Missoula, the IRC, SLM, and members of the St Francis Xavier church got to work and hauled everything up 5 flights of stairs where the incredible members of St Francis are allowing us to store them. This amount of Welcome Kits could last the International Rescue Committee up to a year!! The winter clothing donated all came to Soft Landing and refugee families are now able to grab the needed items to keep toasty warm this winter.

Thank you to the IRC, St Francis church, Gallatin Refugee Connections, and the incredible people of Bozeman. We are so grateful for the growing community of kind and welcoming people here under the Big Sky.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

P.S. Here’s an article that Daniel Duensing from the Montana Kaiman wrote about the unpacking!

Newsletters

October 18, 2018 Newsletter

October 18, 2018

You do you.

So, the elephant in the room and on everyone’s mind is Missoula’s visitor that is flying in (and out) this evening. There are a lot of opinions, actions, and in-actions happening around this strange and somewhat confusing event. We are an organization who strives to be inclusive and a-political, yet we are still staring down a situation in which the very heart and soul of our work is being threatened and systematically dismantled by current politics. What is the appropriate response? Yeah, we don’t really know either. There are a lot of different things going on today that people can choose from to express what you need to express and I guess the best advice I have heard is- You do you. These words from mentor, visionary, and one of my “sheros”- Betsy Mulligan-Dague of the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, do a spot on job of summing it up,

“On Thursday both harmony and conflict will co-exist in our town. Wherever you find yourself, and whatever your heart leads you to do, I hope you see it as an opportunity to be the change you want for the world. And may that opportunity lead to many more. Believing in the basic principles of our country means agreeing to the responsibility to take part in it however messy that is.”

For us at Soft Landing, we took a pause and recognized that the work we do every day IS the action that makes our souls feel forward moving in the face of the situation we find ourselves in. That is how “we do us”. Last night, I had the extreme privilege to tag along with my incredible staff, a seriously awesome intern, and dedicated volunteers to introduce three teenage girls from Africa to an American college campus (UM) and two Montanan mayors, one from Africa (Thanks Wilmot!)! We all sat in awe of these smart and talented young ladies and watched the spark in their eyes for all of the possibilities that await them.

Tomorrow, we will host kiddos on a day off of school to carve pumpkins and partake in the sheer and untethered joy of this silly holiday that is Halloween. Our only goal is just to be a bunch of goofy kids together. Just last week, we participated in a dinner put on by Missoula Federal Credit Union as they hosted the North America Chapter of the Global Alliance for Banking on Values and highlighted their work to serve Missoula’s refugee families. This not only included an incredibly generous donation to Soft Landing and the International Rescue Committee Missoula, but also showcased the programing they have built in their own institution and their values of economic inclusion for all.

So thats it. This is what I mean. “You do you” and our collective actions come together to move that needle. We can, and do, all play a part.

We wish everyone a safe and productive day.

In love and gratitude,

Mary Poole

PS- YES! We are announcing our October Supper Club today! Run quick to the phone and good luck!

PPS- I recently had the joy of meeting with Eric Halverson and participating in his podcast, Insight on Impact- a podcast about folks working to make Missoula, Montana a better place. I had a lot of fun talking about Soft Landing with him and am honored to be among the incredible Missoula nonprofit leaders he has featured. Check out Episode 7 and all of the other great episodes online or subscribe to the podcast on iTunes 😉

October Supper Club

Returning to Masala this month, this will be our first dinner featuring a Congolese Chef!

Where: Masala, 206 W Main St, Missoula, MT 59802

When: Sunday, October 28th. Doors at 5:30pm and dinner at 6:00pm

How: Reservations required! Call Masala @ (406) 926-6444

More info and the menu available here!

Winter Clothing Drive

Help keep Missoula’s refugee families toasty this year!

We are accepting a wide array of new and lightly used winter items as the days get shorter and colder! Find out how you can donate items here!

Important opportunity- 60 day comment period!

Proposed changes to broaden the definition of who is “likely to become a public charge,” could harm many children and families of non-resident, documented immigrants. While this, as of now, does not include refugees, we still feel strongly that this is a cruel and unnecessary obstacle placed in front of vulnerable families. Find out how you can take action here.

Volunteer Opportunities with Partners

Have you ever thought that the setting of one-on one tutoring would be right for you? These hands on opportunities are wonderful ways to get to know Missoula’s refugee and immigrant communities first hand. There are currently 3 partners looking for English tutors and there are options for both kiddos and adults. Check out the opportunities here.

Holiday Food Options

Are you catering a party this holiday season and want to “spice it up”? Would you like to bring a delicious and unique sweet treat to your next shared dinner or event? Maybe you would even like to turn a cozy evening with close friends into an experience and take a cooking class?! We have just the option for you this holiday season and beyond! Check it out and feel free to emailinfo@softlandingmissoula.org for more info!

‘Public Charge’ changes imperil refugees and immigrants

October 18, 2018

Proposed changes by the Department of Homeland Security, broadening the definition of who is “likely to become a public charge,” could harm many children and families of non-resident, documented immigrants and even affect refugees, who may not realize that they are legally exempt from the rule.

Until now, the government has only looked at an immigrants’ use of cash benefits such as TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families). Now, the government wants to also scrutinize immigrants’ use of non-cash benefits such as SNAP (food stamps), CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) and other Medicaid benefits, housing assistance and possibly even WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children).

This looming rule change sets up an awful choice—healthy families now or possible U.S. residency later. Forgo benefits and your kids will be harmed because they won’t have access to programs that put food on the table, or a roof over their heads. Use these benefits to build a foundation for the future and risk there being no future at all—at least in this country. Pregnant and breastfeeding moms would be forced to decide whether to forgo Medicaid. If WIC is included in the rule, early nutrition for kids could be sacrificed. Immigrants who forgo life-saving procedures may pay with their lives.

The prospect of such a drastic change has already precipitated a public health crisis as many documented immigrants—and even some refugees–have taken themselves and their families off such programs. Even though they are legally protected from the operation of this rule, refugee families don’t necessarily understand the fine points and react out of fear. According to the International Rescue Committee, “The last time the definition of public charge was expanded, for example, refugee use of benefits fell drastically even though they were still eligible: food stamps fell by 60%, TANF by 78% and Medicaid by 39%.”

The long-term health consequences of this near-sighted idea, upending decades of immigration policy, could be costly to society. Children and families will lose access to preventative health measures, a cost that will resonate over decades. There will be increased emergency room costs and higher healthcare expenditures in later years.

Is this what we as a nation want? As an organization formed to help refugees resettle in Missoula, we also recognize the broader immigrant community and strongly disagree with this unnecessary obstacle to their success. It ultimately weakens this country as well.

DHS is taking comments for 60 days until Dec. 10, before the rule change becomes permanent. Tell the government why you think this rule change is harmful.

(Mail: Samantha Deshommes, Chief, Regulatory Coordination Division, Office of Policy and Strategy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20529-2140. Please reference DHS Docket No. USCIS-2010-0012).

The IRC also has an excellent toolkit to help you fashion an effective message to the government.

Uncategorized

Holiday Food Options!

October 18, 2018

Soft Landing Missoula is thrilled to present three new food options for the Holidays!

Kamoon Arabian Cuisine
Waleed’s Iraqi Baklava
Afghan cooking classes

Kamoon Arabian Cuisine:

Kamoon Arabian Cuisine has a wide range of catering options- from business lunches to Holiday events they can meet your catering needs at an affordable price! If you are looking for delicious Iraqi food, we couldn’t recommend them more! Check out the latest event they catered here.

For more information on how to get Kamoon to cater one of you events:

Visit their Facebook page
Contact info@softlandingmissoula.org with an inquiry

Waleed’s Iraqi Baklava:

We’re sure you have seen this award winning baklava around town this summer and we couldn’t be more excited that the chef is now cottage food licensed! If you are looking for the perfect dessert to bring to a Holiday party – look no further. You can now order Waleed’s baklava in any quantity.

For more information on how you can get baklava, email info@softlandingmissoula.org

Afghan Cooking Class:

Farida Khinjani is now offering in home cooking classes for groups sizes of 5-20 people. This is the perfect activity for when you have family in town or when you are looking for something fun to do with a group of friends. Farida’s delicious Afghan cuisine is a constant topic of discussion at Soft Landing Missoula! You may remember her food from Soft Landing’s February supper club at Masala but if not, trust us you’ll want to try it out! Not only is the food delicious, but Farida is wonderful and will be sure to make sure the class a delightful experience!

To get more information on how to book a cooking class email info@softlandingmissoula.org

Uncategorized

Volunteer Opportunities!

October 18, 2018

Soft Landing Missoula is excited to share 3 volunteer tutoring opportunities for volunteers who are interested in direct service opportunities with refugees in Missoula. Hands on service requires a bit more of a commitment from the volunteer, but is a greatly needed and appreciated! Tutoring is a good way to get involved and there are options for whether you are more comfortable working with adults or kids. We encourage you to look through these opportunities and think about if any might work for you!

The Lifelong Learning Center
St. Joe’s Catholic Elementary School
Missoula County Public Schools

The Lifelong Learning Center teaches English as a second language to refugees and immigrants and needs volunteers to help support their students. Volunteers work under the direction of the instructor and often spend time one-on-one with students.

When: Monday-Thursday, 9-12pm

Where: Lifelong Learning Center

How: call 549-8765 and request an application

Commitment: minimum of one hour a week up to every day!

St. Joe’s Catholic School is looking for a volunteer to come in the afternoons to work one-on-one with refugee students.

When: Weekday afternoons from 2:15-3:00 pm

Where: St. Joe’s Elementary School

How: Call St. Joe’s to request an application, (406) 549-1290

Commitment: At least one afternoon a week

Missoula County Public Schools is looking for tutors to work one-on-one with refugee and immigrant students during the school day. Tutors will commit to a regular schedule with the same student(s).

When: Must have availability during the school day

Where: May be placed in any Missoula County Public School (requests will be considered)

How:

Step 1: Fill out an MCPS volunteer application and background check. Please fill out the “unsupervised volunteer” application): http://www.mcpsmt.org/domain/818.
Please print, fill out, and take them (with a check for $6.00) to MCPS Administration Building, 200 S. 6th Street West during the day (better than mailing) – they are open at 8:00 am. The secretary in the Superintendent’s office, Ann Bates, will take them.
Step 2: Fill out the MCPS Volunteer ELL Tutor Application:
At the same time, please complete the Volunteer ELL form online and email it to Shirley Lindburg at salindburg@mcps.k12.mt.us . This allows you to indicate your preferred schools, if any (close to work/home), grade levels if any, and times available during school day. You will be an unsupervised volunteer.

Commitment: once a week for the school year

For questions, contact volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org

Author: Adam Hendrickson

Giving Tuesday 2018!

Soft Landing Missoula and University of Montana Volunteer Workshop

November 13 Newsletter

November Supper Club is here!!

Huge thanks to Gallatin Refugee Connections and the great people of Bozeman!

“Public Charge” Changes Imperil Refugees and Immigrants

Kamoon Arabian Cuisine

More wonderful Pakistani cooking classes with Dr. Qureshi!

Driver’s Ed Volunteer Opportunity

November Supper Club

Thank you Gallatin Refugee Connections!!

‘Public Charge’ changes imperil refugees and immigrants

Holiday Food Options!

Volunteer Opportunities!

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