January 30, 2018 Newsletter

by Adam Hendrickson

2018 Highlights already?!

What a wonderful month to kick off 2018. A lot has happened so far in this short year and I am excited to say, I think we already have some highlights of 2018 under our belts and on the near horizon!  This month was marked by our second “United We Eat Supper Club” and 55 of you joined us for a fantastic Syrian feast at Masala.  MTPR did a beautiful story on the event you can read/listen to here (with pictures!). We are forever grateful to our dear friend Ghalia for sharing her love of cooking with us.  Our next supper club is in the works for the end of February- stay tuned for details!

Up next (Feb 16th-25th) is the Big Sky Documentary Film Fest where we are honored to be sponsoring films made right here in Missoula by refugee filmmakers. The New Neighbors Project, aimed at teaching new arrivals how to self-direct their own stories that are too often told from the outside, has 3 selections in this year’s film fest. Getting into the BSDFF was never a “given” for this project, but speaks to the amazing craftsmanship, talent, and guts of the filmmakers and the New Neighbors crew. We have been honored from the beginning to be a small part of this amazing project and are in awe of the final product. More info on how to view these films below.

If 2018 keeps going at the speed of this past month, we are in for a wild ride!  Come along with us to enjoy good fun, good company, and good food 😉

In love and gratitude, 

Mary Poole

Big Sky Documentary Film Fest 2018

Soft Landing Missoula was catalyzed from photos and film and we firmly believe in their power to show truth and create positive change in the world.  Join us to witness the culmination of the year of work put into the New Neighbors Project.

Fair Trade Jewelry Pop-up just in time for Valentines Day!

Come check it out at the Dram Shop this Sunday from 12-5.  Shop for you or your sweetie and support Soft Landing Missoula!

“We Are All America” Week of Action

January 29 – February 3. On the anniversary of the first “Travel Ban”, this week is intended to lift up and defend our long-standing values of welcoming individuals who seek protection from violence and persecution.
Look here for how you can support this effort and make our support of immigrants, refugees and resettlement heard across the state and across the nation.

Save the Date: 2018 World Refugee Day Cup Soccer Tournament!

Saturday June 16th!!!! More info here and lots more to come soon!

Big Sky Documentary Film Fest 2018

by Adam Hendrickson


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Every year since our birth (ok, that is just 2 years!) we have been lucky to be sponsors for beautiful, heart-wrenching, uplifting, and important films during the Big Sky Documentary Film Fest. Soft Landing Missoula was catalyzed from photos and film and we firmly believe in their power to show truth and create positive change in the world.

This year- year three- we are honored and in so much awe of the selection that we have the privilege of sponsoring.  These films are very near and dear to our hearts. From the moment the “New Neighbors Project” came to us with a proposal to teach interested new arrivals in Missoula how to document their own experience, to flip the lens that had been placed on them, through all of the hard work that it takes to make a full feature film and multiple shorts a reality, we knew this was going to be incredible.  We are so proud of the refugee film makers that created these films and endlessly grateful that they have chosen to share these powerful stories with us.  Getting into the BSDFF was never a “given” for this project, but speaks to the amazing craftsmanship, talent, and guts of the filmmakers and the New Neighbors crew. 

Please check out the New Neighbors Website for the trailer for the full length film, filmmaker bios, and info on how to get tickets.

Schedule (click to read more about each film from the BSDFF website):

Tuesday Feb 20th, 6p, MCT

Renga for the West (New Neighbors full feature)

Never Give Up While You Are Still Alive (Short by Joel Kambale)

Sunday Feb 25th, 8:15p, MCT

This is Congo (not part of the New Neighbors project but looks incredible and we are still proud to sponsor it!)

Kuwezesha Wanawake (Short by Justine Binwa)

 

Please join us for these transformative films and share the privilege of getting to hold these stories in your heart forever. 

“We Are All America” National Week of Action

by Adam Hendrickson


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Soft Landing Missoula and Welcoming America encourage you to participate in We Are All America’s National Week of Action, January 29 – February 3. This week is intended to lift up and defend our long-standing values of welcoming individuals who seek protection from violence and persecution.

The national week of action will kick off on the one year anniversary that the Trump Administration released executive orders banning individuals from seven (then six) Muslim-majority countries from entering the country and thousands of Americans took to the streets and flooded airports in solidarity with refugees. 

January 27th is a critical date, as people and policy makers across the country remember the actions they took that day and can recommit to solidarity with Muslims, refugees, and all targeted communities.

Join with Us and Ask Congress and the Administration: #WhereRTheRefugees?

Where are the refugees? The Trump Administration set a historically low refugee admissions ceiling of 45,000 this year, down from 110,000 the previous year, yet the US is not letting in nearly that number. At the current rate, the US would only settle 15,000 refugees this year. That’s a near 87% reduction in the program. Families are being separated by the bans and refugees are at dire risk. The United States is failing in our traditional role as a refugee protection leader. Join us in asking the President and Congress #WhereRTheRefugees and demand the Trump Administration #LetThemIn!

If you are interested in contacting your government representatives, We Are All America provided suggested messaging below. The contact information for Montana representatives can be found below, as well.

Thank you for taking action to support the future of refugees!

MONTANA REPRESENTATIVES:

Sen. Jon Tester: 

-Email link: https://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=email_senator

-Missoula phone number: 406-728-3003

-Twitter Handle: @SenatorTester

Sen. Steve Daines: 

-Email link: https://www.daines.senate.gov/connect/email-steve

-Missoula phone number: 406-549-8198

-Twitter Handle: @SteveDaines

Rep. Greg Gianforte: 

-Email link: https://gianforte.house.gov/contact/email

-Washington, D.C. phone number: 202-225-3211

-Twitter Handle: @gianforte or @gregformontana

POSSIBLE MESSAGES FOR WEEK OF ACTION, Courtesy of “We Are All America”

#WhereRTheRefugees—Where are the refugees? The Trump Administration set a historically low refugee admissions ceiling of 45,000 this year, but the US is not letting in nearly that number. Families are being separated by the bans and refugees are at dire risk. The United States is failing in our traditional role as a refugee protection leader. Join us in asking the President and Congress #WhereRTheRefugees and demand the Trump Administration #LetThemIn.

#RefugeesWelcome—Our many faith traditions and our democratic values call us to create inclusive communities, where people of all backgrounds are welcome—because #WeAreAllAmerica. 

#NoMuslimBanEver—The Muslim and refugee bans are discriminatory, unconstitutional, inhumane and have a real impact on families and community members. 

 

World Refugee Day Soccer Tournament is June 16!

by Adam Hendrickson

In just a couple months, we will be having a blast with our Missoula community for our second annual World Refugee Day Soccer Tournament!

This was such a memorable event last year that we couldn’t wait to share this year’s date with you. It’s not too early to mark this date on your calendar!

If you or your business are interested in sponsoring this event, please email Mary at mary@softlandingmissoula or call 493-0504. Sponsorships are available from $100 – $2,000 (or surprise us!) and guarantees your name is listed on our promotion materials, t-shirts, and event banners.

Check out how much fun we had at last year’s event in this story.

We can’t wait to see you on the field in June!


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Fair Trade Jewelry Party at The Dram Shop on 2/4!

by Adam Hendrickson

We are so excited to partner with The Dram Shop and I Thought of You fair trade jewelry for a special pre-Valentine’s Day jewelry party!

I Thought of You is a fair trade, hand made, sustainably sourced jewelry company that works with artisans from all over the globe. A portion of sales from this event will be donated to us here at SLM, so your purchase makes a difference twice!

Treat yourself or a pal, your sweetie or your mama. Support two great organizations and enjoy a drink or two while you’re at it! Valentine’s Day or birthday gift ideas? I think so! Get a sneak peek at the collection at ithoughtofyou.com/cm. 

For every drink you buy, the Dram Shop will give you a ticket for a raffle with the chance to win a swag basket from the shop and a piece of jewelry from I Thought of You! 

RSVP on our Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/159020401323063/

January 5, 2018 Newsletter

by Adam Hendrickson

New Year, New Adventures!

Whew…there goes 2017!  I would be hard pressed to name another year in my life where I experienced so many new things, learned so much, grew more as a person, faced as many challenges, had to ask for as much help, wanted to say “Thank you!” so many times, or met so many new wonderful people from near and far! Ok- as I look at my 6 month old little one as I write this, maybe year 1 is about the same 😉  

To kick it off 2018, we are hosting our second Soft Landing Missoula Supper Club at Masala on January 14th featuring Syrian Cuisine.  I spent yesterday afternoon sitting down with Theo, the owner of Masala, and Ghalia, our guest chef, who were putting the final touches on the menu, and let me tell you- this is going to be very special delicious!  Seating is limited so make your reservations quick! The SLM Supper Club was created in response to the immense hospitality and generosity refugee families have shown us when being invited into their homes- you better come hungry…every time!- and wanting to be able to celebrate and share the beautiful cultural bridge that food can be while enriching our shared community.  We hope you will get the chance to join us for one- or all- of these unique and exciting dinners!

So here is to 2018 being as crazy, as eye-opening, as dynamic, as hard, and as WONDERFUL!  We have A LOT of goals for 2018 and some really exciting new ideas. I think you all know that the magic only happens because of your support and involvement and we are so thankful and excited to take you with us into this new year. 

In love and gratitude,

Mary Poole

 

January Supper Club- Syrian Cuisine

Be sure to check this out for more details and the MENU!

Where: Masala – 206 W. Main St., Missoula
When: Sunday January 14th.  Doors open at 6p and food will be served at 6:30
Cost: $40/person
How: Call Masala at (406) 926-6444 to make a reservation.  Please let them know if you have a vegetarian in your party.

Please direct any further questions to mary@softlandingmissoula.org

Tutor kiddos at MCPS!

Join us in one of the most loved and rewarding volunteer opportunities by signing up to tutor kiddos with Missoula County Public Schools.
If interested, please attend the next informational session next Friday the 8th at noon in the MCPS Administration Building (215 S. 6th St. W). 

More information available here.  Questions can be directed to volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org

Urgent Needs

As many of you know- we have a little “Urgent Needs” page on our website that is created in response to things that we get asked for, or needs that we notice.  It gets updated frequently and is always a good thing to check out if you are wondering how to help.
I will highlight: Men’s winter boots, larger “stock” style pots, YakTracks or similar anti-slip devices for the ice, home or laptop computers, and well functioning vacuum cleaners.  You can also always donate a well running car if you want!!!

“Timeless Iraq” lecture is now available online

Thanks to MCAT for making this informative lecture available to anyone anytime!!

January SLM Monthly Supper Club features Syrian cuisine!

by Adam Hendrickson


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We are so excited to bring you the fresh yet ancient flavors of Syria as presented by Guest Chef Ghalia Ahmad Fayz AlMasri.

In a country well known for its hospitality and generosity, many traditional Syrian dishes date back to at least the 13th century.  Large shared platters of food often include spiced varieties of meats such as lamb, nuts, rice, and flavorful combinations of vegetables. Scents of fresh herbs and garlic are common, and much care goes into presenting a dish that is as beautiful as it is delicious. Spending time with family and friends while gathering to share love through food is central to Syrian culture and cuisine, as well as ending the meal on tastes of sweetness. 

Come enjoy this incredible family style meal with us! 

Our second Supper club is being generously hosted by Masala and the limited seats will sell out fast!

Where: Masala – 206 W. Main St., Missoula

When: Sunday January 14th.  Doors open at 6p and food will be served at 6:30

Cost: $40/person

How: Call Masala at (406) 926-6444 to make a reservation.  Please let them know if you have a vegetarian in your party.

Please direct any further questions to mary@softlandingmissoula.org

Menu:

Appetizers (Mezza):

Fattoush Salad (Veg)

Baba Ganoush (Veg)

Kibbeh (Lamb)

Flat bread

 

Main course:

Kebab (Beef)

Stuffed Squash (Veg)

Rice

 

Desert:

Traditional Cookies

Coffee/tea

 

other drink options available for purchase

 


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“Timeless Iraq” lecture is available online!

by Adam Hendrickson

Thanks to our partners at MCAT, the “Timeless Iraq” lecture can be viewed online at any time by visiting http://162.219.73.99/Cablecast/public-site/index.html#/show/7905?channel=1

This lecture is presented by Mushtaq Al-Rashidany in the UC Theatre on November 7, 2017. Mushtaq offers personal experiences, history on the religious conflict in Iraq, and more during his one hour lecture. 

Thanks again to our partners at MCAT for providing a free recording of this event!

Looking for something fun to do on New Years Eve?

by Adam Hendrickson

We are so excited that Joel Makeci and family will be performing at the Public House for First Night on New Years Eve! The performance starts at 5 pm. Check out more information here and read his artist bio below! You can also buy his music online here. This is a can’t miss First Night event!



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Tutoring Opportunity with Missoula Public Schools

by Adam Hendrickson

We are currently looking for volunteers who can tutor students in the Missoula County Public Schools. As an in-school volunteer, you must be available to meet at consistent times throughout the week for the remainder of the school year.

You’ll be able to meet with one student or a small group of students to work on developing their English skills and learning about the culture of American schools. Some older students may also need help with math lessons in English. Tutors will be provided with resources to use when working with the students, either from the teacher or from the ELL Department.  

Most tutoring will occur in the morning hours. Orientation for new prospective tutors will occur on Friday, Jan. 12 at noon in the MCPS Administration Building. This information session is open to those applying and those just interested in learning more.

If you’re interested in getting started in January, please email volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org  for more information. If you know someone who’d make a great tutor, please share this information with them, too!