June 2017 Newsletter
Play Soccer. Celebrate Our Community!
As we get closer and closer to World Refugee Day on June 20th, we’re gearing up for our first annual celebration of this day on Saturday, June 17th, with a soccer tournament and community party. All of us at the office are working very hard to make sure this event does justice to the honor and privilege it has been to welcome refugee families to our community. We hope this day-long event shows our intention to stand in solidarity with refugees world wide.
Please don’t shy away if soccer isn’t your thing! After the tournament, starting around 4 p.m., you can join us at the community celebration, which is free and open to all! There will be food, dancing, music, and I am sure, a few surprises! This is a family friendly event with a welcome by Missoula Mayor John Engen and the super rad Whizpops headlining the event!
Here’s how to get involved with the event:
1) Register to play in the soccer tournament by June 11th, and please spread the word!! Registration has had a slow start–help us out! Here is a Facebook event if that is easiest for you to share: https://www.facebook.com/events/605977089744890/.
2) We have MANY volunteer opportunities, from help on the day of, to signing up to bring a potluck dessert. Please email volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org to find out more about volunteering for the event and to sign up!
3) Come AND invite friends to celebrate with us! The “Final Match” will begin around 4 p.m. with festivities to follow. Share this info on this event with a couple folks you know: https://www.facebook.com/events/605977089744890/.
OK! We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the courage, strength, and resilience of refugees with you all, and have a little fun in the process. See you there!
In love and gratitude,
Mary Poole
P.S. We have had quite a few new arrivals over the past few weeks, with additional families coming this week! We have a HUGE need of twin and double sheet sets and comforters/blankets as well as toiletries such as shampoo/conditioner, lotion, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine pads and liners, etc… These things can be dropped off at the SLM office at 939 Stephens. Thanks!
Beyond Us and Them: What is Possible?
The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center presents “Beyond Us And Them: What is Possible?” a day-long “un-conference”. At the un-conference, four lightning speakers (Dustin Monroe, Quentin Robinson, Tricia Parks and Robert Rivers) will ignite the participants with their individual passions for peacemaking. JRPC members, friends, and community members will be invited to nominate and host any topic related to the theme. These will become simultaneous, fluid breakout sessions in which participants share ideas, inspire each other, and engage on the most powerful topics of interest. At the close, participants are invited to an evening reception in the UCC Courtyard with snacks and music. The event is free for JRPC members and $20 for non-members; lunch, snacks, and evening reception included. More information and online registration is at jrpc.org/beyond-us-and-them.
Beyond Us and Them: What is Possible? A day-long “un-conference”
The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center presents “Beyond Us And Them: What is Possible?” a day-long “un-conference”.
When: Saturday, June 10, 8:30 am to 5:30 pm
Where: University Congregational Church, 405 University, Ave, Missoula
At the un-conference, four lightning speakers (Dustin Monroe, Quentin Robinson, Tricia Parks and Robert Rivers) will ignite the participants with their individual passions for peacemaking. Using Open Space Meeting Technology facilitated by Kris Bayer, JRPC members, friends, and community members will be invited to nominate and host any topic related to the theme. These will become simultaneous, fluid breakout sessions in which participants share ideas, inspire each other, and engage on the most powerful topics of interest. At the close, participants are invited to an evening reception in the UCC Courtyard with snacks and music. The event is free for JRPC members and $20 for non-members; lunch, snacks, and evening reception included. More information and online registration is at jrpc.org/beyond-us-and-them.
A key foundation of our work for peace is encouraging the dialogue and connections that build understanding among the huge variety of people on this planet. Our world is changing rapidly. It demands that we learn to cut through the mounting divisions—both within and outside the choir—that keep us separated to meet the unquestionable challenges of the emerging future together. When divisions dominate—whether politics, economics, cultures, issues, or opinions—we remain stuck in a worldview that is destined to fail. The future includes all of us, so rather than focusing on being right and winning, we must put our efforts toward understanding all perspectives and search for the deeper truths that join us together. This critical time demands all our strengths to create the kind of solutions to meet the upcoming untold challenges. These are the conversations that matter.
We ask you to join us as we search for the courage, compassion, and respect to learn these skills, build these new connections, and imagine the world that is possible. And we are looking for folks from all persuasions, with all their concerns and interests, to join us so our conversations are deep and productive.
A brief look at Syria
Most Syrians practice Islam. The Syrian culture is very conservative and a great importance is placed on tradition. Families are typically very close, and loyalty is demonstrated among social, ethnic, and familial groups (The Cultural Atlas).
Traditional greetings among Syrians usually involve a handshake between two men, using their right hands only. It is only appropriate for a man to shake hands with a woman if she extends her right hand first. A strong handshake is not valued in Syrian culture, and gentle pressure is used during the act (The Cultural Atlas).
Check out our page on Syria for more information about the country.
Supporter Stories: Patrick Duffy
Part of me questions the motivation of the question, “why are we helping refugees instead of our veterans?” Whenever I hear someone say anything about our poor veterans, I always say, “When did you serve?” And it’s clearly a minority of people that ever did. I am a veteran, I did serve. If I’m talking to a veteran then it’s a different conversation than when I’m talking to someone who really doesn’t understand military service, what it does, what struggles veterans go through.
There are some real issues there. There are issues with homelessness, drug addiction, PTSD, all kinds of things.
But to say “until we get every veteran problem fixed, we should not look to help refugees” – I don’t think that’s who we are as a country.
I sometimes think it’s an excuse for people to not have to give true voice to some fears and some other feelings they have about refugees.
It’s also so very counterproductive to argue with folks who compare the two. It is a far better course to hear them out and educate them.
—
Patrick Duffy is a Mentor through IRC.
Photo and interview by Elliott Natz
Honoring World Refugee Day
Special thank you to our sponsors for World Refugee Day!
OK, you have heard us talking about it for a couple months now, but registration is now open for our First Annual World Refugee Day Cup Soccer Tournament! World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20th. Our soccer tournament on June 17th, will honor the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence.
The Missoula community has stepped up to welcome more than 20 families in the last year and make Missoula a welcoming place that refugees can call home. Soft Landing Missoula is excited to celebrate the addition of these families to our community with a soccer tournament and community party. As we have said, if we have noticed anything about universal ways to bring people together, it is food, music, and soccer–and this event will have all 3! You don’t have to be part of the soccer tourney to come out and enjoy the community celebration following the event–it will be a blast! Get the details and register now.
If you can’t wait that long to see us, we will be participating in the June 2nd, First Friday to showcase the amazing project that so many of you are loving, With Open Arms: Stories about Helping Refugees in Missoula, that shows the impact that working with refugees has had on some of our volunteers’ lives.
See you there!
Mary Poole
Register Now! First Annual Missoula World Refugee Day Cup
Held at the new fields and pavilion at Fort Missoula Regional Park, this will be a 7v7 round-robin tourney with at least 2 games guaranteed. There will also be a kids game and kids activities. Tourney kicks off at 9 a.m. with the final match at 4 p.m. followed by dinner and music by the WhizPops! More details and registration.
Join Us at First Friday in June
For the June First Friday event on June 2nd, we will be exhibiting the photos and stories from our digital story project, With Open Arms: Stories About Helping Refugees in Missoula. The project sought to bring attention to those in our community working to help refugees find a comfortable life in Missoula. Some volunteers will be present to discuss with visitors more in-depth their experiences working with refugees from around the world. The show will be presented next to Radius Gallery in their annex hallways from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Radius Gallery is located at 114 E Main St. in downtown Missoula. It is a half block east of Higgins on Main.
Support the New Neighbors Project
This is an amazing project! Here’s their description from their Kickstarter campaign, “In 2016, Montana opened its doors to refugees for the first time this century. The New Neighbors Project explores the relationship between new refugee arrivals and long-time Montanans through a tapestry of self-directed first person stories.” Having raised more than $21,000 so far, this team needs to raise a little over $8,000 by this Thursday, May 25th, for the project to be funded. Learn more and donate now!
Volunteer Spotlight: John Gage and Anna Tucker
We are so thankful for John Gage and Anna Tucker (and their trucks) for all their help recently with collecting furniture and home set ups. It’s not the glamorous work, but so important in supporting our incoming families. Thank you for your flexibility, strength and humor. If you want to be like John and Anna and join our brand new Home Set Up Team, please email volunteer@softlandingmissoula.org.
Summer Pack Supplies Needed
We are putting together Summer Packs to send home with each school-aged refugee child at the end of the school year. We will provide them with age appropriate books (thanks to the Mansfield Library) for summer reading and information on where to find free activities and meals around town. We also love to include pens, pencils, markers, notebooks, coloring books, puzzle books and practice math and writing books for all ages. Please consider donating some of those items!
Items needed by June 2. To donate, bring the items to our office: 939 Stephens Avenue, Suite C, in Missoula. Thank you!
Join Us on First Friday in June!
For the June First Friday event on June 2nd, we will be exhibiting the photos and stories from our digital story project, With Open Arms: Stories About Helping Refugees in Missoula. The project sought to bring attention to those in our community working to help refugees find a comfortable life in Missoula.
Some volunteers will be present to discuss with visitors more in-depth their experiences working with refugees from around the world.
The show will be presented next to Radius Gallery in their annex hallways from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Radius Gallery is located at 114 E Main St. in downtown Missoula. It is a half block east of Higgins on Main.
Register Now! First Annual Missoula World Refugee Day Cup
World Refugee Day is celebrated every year on June 20th. This event honors the courage, strength and determination of women, men and children who are forced to flee their homeland under threat of persecution, conflict and violence. The Missoula community has stepped up to welcome more than 20 refugee families in the last year and make Missoula a welcoming place that refugees can call home. Soft Landing Missoula is excited to celebrate the addition of these families to our community with a soccer tournament and community party on June 17th.
Held at the new fields and pavilion at Fort Missoula Regional Park, this will be a 7v7 round-robin tourney with at least 2 games guaranteed. There will also be a kids game and kids activities.
June 17th Word Refugee Day Cup at Fort Missoula Regional Park
9 a.m. Tournament starts.
4 p.m. Final match.
5 p.m. Dinner
6 – 8 p.m. Music – featuring the WhizPops!
Individual Registration: $45/person, $40 for an active volunteer. Please consider doubling your registration to sponsor a refugee player.
Please register on the Missoula Parks and Rec website, and also please note the registration tips below before beginning the registration process!
Registration Tips
This is a new system that Parks and Rec is working with and it can be a little picky. Here are some helpful tips. If you have any questions, you can just call the VERY nice people at Parks and Rec and they will help you get it set up! (406) 721 – 7275
1) This link takes you to the “Activity Search Page”. In the box “keyword search” type : Soft Landing.
2) Scroll down and you will see two options. Choose from regular registration, $45, or active volunteer registration, $40.
3) At the bottom of the page click “Add to cart”.
4) It will then ask for username and password. This system is pretty new, but if you have used it to sign up yourself or your family for any other P&R activities, you may already be in the system. If you are (I only have a kids swim pass and I was) try to put your phone number (including area code) in as your password and your last name with a capital first letter in as your password. If you have any info in the system, including just a phone number, it won’t let you create a new account and will give you the run around. If these login and password hints don’t help, please just call Parks and Rec at (406)721-7275.
5) The rest should be pretty self-explanatory. You will have the option to add an additional fee for “sponsoring” a refugee player or an additional donation to Soft Landing Missoula. If you select neither of these and just click Continue at the bottom, your individual registration fee will show up on the next page.
6) One other note: After you are logged in and filling out the actual form, sometimes if you try to go back it will kick you out of the registration, but you are still logged in. If this happens, click Search at the top of the page, and select Activity Search on the left hand side. Continue with above search directions. If it says duplicate registration, you might have to clear your old attempt by selecting the (-) next to it and starting over.
7) Thank you for hanging in there. We realize the trickiness of this is not ideal. Parks and Rec staff are super nice and accommodating. If you need any help, please don’t hesitate to call them. That number again is (406)721-7275.
Mary Poole named Peacemaker of the Year
The Jeannette Rankin Peace Center has named our very own Mary Poole the 2017 Peacemaker of the Year. We here at Soft Landing could not think of a more deserving person and we are so happy for her!
We’d like to invite you to help us celebrate Mary this Saturday, May 20 from 3 – 5 p.m. at Har Shalom (3035 S Russel St., Missoula). Come for a short presentation and stay for cookies and a reception. Mary’s hard work and dedication to improving the lives of refugees is an inspiration to so many of us and we sure are proud of her for receiving this honor.