Category: Events

Roses are red,

Cookies are sweet,

Order some now

For a Valentine’s treat!

We’re bringing back our Valentine’s Day Baklava sale, now with additional mixed cookie box options! You can celebrate the holiday and indulge knowing that you’re spreading the love around Missoula. Profits go directly to the local refugee chefs who hand-make these treats and provide critical support for these families to get established in the community. Give to your Loves, share with your office, or surprise your kid’s teacher- there is no bad reason to buy a box (or four) today!

Options:

Small Box- includes all 7 unique cookies above- $12

Large Box- includes 15 cookies- 2 of each with a bonus baklava – $24

Baklava Box: You know you Bak-LOVE-a this treat, so grab some extra to share with your Valentine (or enjoy by yourself!) -$10

Order: Please place your orders here before February 10th

Pickup: Your order will be available for pickup on Thursday, February 13th from 12-5:30pm, and Friday, February 14th from 8am-12pm. Your treats will be waiting for you at the Soft Landing Office:

939 Stephens Avenue

Suite C

Missoula, MT 59801

For the fourth year in a row, Soft Landing is proud to sponsor films for the incredible Big Sky Documentary Film Fest (BSDFF).

This week-long event allows us to explore the world through film and presents artful productions that cover a diverse range of topics. We thoroughly believe that stories unite people from all walks of life and are always so excited to be a part of such a beautiful and at times complicated view of humanity. This is a wonderful community event that showcases diversity and supports the arts! We advise trying to see as many of these great films as you can (take the week off work?!?!)!

Our four sponsored films are:

Chèche Lavi (Looking for Life)

Sam Ellison, 2019, Mexico, Haiti, USA, 76 minutes
Montana Premiere

CHÈCHE LAVI is a lyrical portrait of two Haitian migrants, Robens and James, who find themselves stranded at the US-Mexico border with no way forward and no one to depend on but each other. As the two men drift towards drastically different futures, a picture of their unexpected friendship emerges against the backdrop of an incomprehensible political situation and a new wall rising on the horizon.

Screening:

Saturday, Feb 15th @ 5:00 pm- Roxy Theater
Wednesday, Feb 19th @ 2:45 pm- Elks Lodge

A Word Away

Mollie Moore, 2019, USA, 19 minutes

Cosmo, originally from South Sudan, seeks help from childhood friend Moon, a poet. After having to flee his home country, he attempts to tell his story for the first time through the medium of poetry after 18 years of silence.

Screening:

Tuesday, Feb 18th @ 4:00 pm- ZACC
Saturday, Feb 22nd @ 5:15 pm- ZACC

Welcome Strangers

Dia Sokol Savage, 2020, USA, 21 minutes
World Premiere

When asylum-seeking immigrants are released from an ICE detention facility onto unfamiliar streets near Denver, Colorado, where can they go for help? Since 2012, Sarah Jackson and her team of volunteers have welcomed them into her home and helped to reunite them with their families.

Screening: 

Sunday, Feb 16th @ 9:00 pm- Elks Lodge
Wednesday, Feb 19th @ 1:30 pm- ZACC

Paradise Without People

Francesca Trianni, 2019, Greece, USA, 76 minutes
Montana Premiere

Inside the delivery ward of a Greek hospital, two Syrian women share the same dream: to raise their newborn daughters far from war. Taimaa and Nour begin a journey navigating an inflexible European resettlement program that rarely takes their needs into account. A tender and at times infuriating view into a new mother’s choices at the height of Europe’s refugee crisis.

Screening: Wednesday, Feb 19th @ 5:30 pm- Elks Lodge

*** The filmmaker and a representative from TIME Studios are also scheduled to be at this screening***

For more information on BSDFF, a full schedule of events, and to purchase tickets and passes, please visit their website here.

Montanans for Immigrant Justice (MIJ) is a group of local activists seeking to challenge xenophobic narratives and state and national immigration policies including recent actions to dismantle DACA. They believe that immigrant rights are human rights and use community conversations, educational forums and local canvassing educate the community and defend the rights of immigrants.

Last Sunday, MIJ hosted an incredible ‘Lights and Rights’ presentation with the goal of teaching immigrants and their families to ‘know their rights and replace broken tail lights’. MIJ trainings inform immigrants of their rights under the US Constitution at home, at work, on the road, and more. The trainings also provide information for allies on what to do as a bystander if they believe someone is at risk.

Immigration Attorneys and other experts spoke at the Know Your Rights Presentation, which was live-streamed and translated to reach a larger audience. You can view their helpful presentation here. Following the presentation, volunteers helped those with broken taillights install a new lightbulb for free.

Huge thanks to Randall Caudle and Nereyda Calero for this presentation with so much helpful information!

Soft Landing is delighted to partner with the Humanities Institute, the UM Department of History, the International Rescue Committee and other campus departments and groups to co-sponsor the lecture “Was the United States Ever Pro-Refugee?” by Dr. Steve Porter from the University of Cincinnati.

Dr. Porter is the author of Benevolent Empire: U.S. Power, Humanitarianism, and the World’s Dispossessed (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2016). The lecture will take place Monday, November 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the ALI Auditorium of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education and Human Sciences.

This event is free and open to the public and is the first in a new lecture series entitled “Making the Humanities Public.”

Please see the flier below or visit the Humanities Institute website here for more info! There is also a Facebook Event to share with friends!

Join Soft Landing for Missoula’s third annual Welcoming Week. In tandem with thousands of other organizations and communities nationwide, Soft Landing hopes to inspire and celebrate welcoming all people to the Missoula community. Together with partners, including the International Rescue Committee, Imagine Nation Brewing, Sweet Peaks, the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center, Missoula Rises, & more, we invite you to this weeklong cultural celebration!

• Welcoming Week Kickoff Party:

  • Friday, September 13th, 6:00pm @ Imagine Nation Brewing

  • Come kick-off this wonderful week of welcoming events with us!  There will be a short talk by participating organizations followed by a fun Global Trivia game to round out the evening. Back by popular demand, the “Together” Global Pale Ale, brewed special for this week by the wonderful folks at INBC, will be on tap and in crowlers for this event and after as supplies last! Food available from Kamoon Arabian Cuisine.

  • Facebook event to share here.

• Eritrean Coffee Ceremony

  • Saturday, September 14th, 1:00-3:00pm @ Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

  • Join us for a traditional Eritrean coffee ceremony, which involves hand-roasting, grinding of the beans, and brewing of strong coffee before enjoying a delicious cup sitting in front of a traditional serving table. Come learn a bit more about Eritrean culture and get your coffee fix! Admission is free with a suggested donation to benefit the participating families.

  • Facebook event to share here.

• Congo Vs The World Soccer Match

  • Sunday, September 15th, 4pm @ Playfair Park

  • Watch a friendly soccer match between soccer players from the Democratic Republic of Congo and the greater Missoula International Community . This will be a chance to cheer for your favorite players and join in on the celebration of one of the worlds most favorite sports. Make sure to stick around for refreshments after the game. Sweet Peaks Ice Cream will also be generously donating free scoops!

  • Facebook event to share here.

• Community Night at Sweet Peaks

  • Tuesday, September 17th, 5:00-9:00pm @ Sweet Peaks

  • Join us for ice cream during this “sweet” night of community giving in which Sweet Peaks will be donating $1 from every item sold to Soft Landing Missoula to support their work to make Missoula a welcoming home for refugees and immigrants.

• Advocacy work party with IRC and Missoula Rises

  • Wednesday, September 18th, 6:00-8:00pm @ Imagine Nation Brewing

  • Join the International Rescue Committee and Missoula Rises for an advocacy work party to call and write in support of the GRACE Act to set refugee admissions at at least 95,000/year- and enjoy a nice beverage to boot!

  • Facebook event to share here.

• Tap Room Dialogue with the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center & Imagine Nation Brewing Company

  • Thursday, September 19th, 5:30-7pm @ Imagine Nation Brewing Company

  • Come and discuss peace, justice and welcoming over a local brew.

• Middle Eastern Pop-up Dessert Sale

  • Friday, September 20th, 5:00-8:00pm @ Goodworks Ventures

  • Join Soft Landing Missoula for a pop up dessert sale featuring homemade desserts from the Middle East. Come sip free coffee and tea, meet our refugee chefs and buy some dessert to taste and to take home. All proceeds benefit the refugee families selling the dessert.

  • Facebook event to share here.

• Venezuela Night at MIS

  • Saturday, September 21st, 7:00-8:30pm @ Missoula International School

  • Venezuela is a country with extensive cultural diversity. Reflected in its dances and music, Venezuela’s indigenous, European and African heritages are merged to form the identity of a country proud of its diversity. Come to experience a little of the different types of music common in Venezuela, as well as their dances and traditions: The Dancing Devils of Yare, La Parranda de San Pedro and El Sebucan.  Get ready to have fun and receive Latin music dance lessons in Merengue and Salsa.

  • Facebook event to share here.

• Together Missoula Rally

  • Sunday, September 22nd, 1:00-4:00pm @ Caras Park

  • Please join us for this inaugural event to experience the joy and harmony of many cultures bringing you three hours of inspiration: speakers, music, dance, art, museum tours, and general celebration! Hosted by the City of Missoula, local non-profits, and diverse faith and cultural communities, this event will be a wonderful way to wrap up Welcoming Week!

  • Facebook event to share here.

Greenheart Exchange is looking for a family to host family for Ami, 17 year old Japanese student from Kumamoto, Japan. Since 1985, Greenheart Exchange has placed over 20,000 international exchange students with families seeking to host a foreign exchange student. Greenheart provides a strong support system to both participants and families. You can learn more about Greenheart Exchange here. This is a great opportunity to learn about another culture and share your own!

Ami is 17 years old, and she will be entering Hellgate High School as a senior. She loves to sing and play guitar, and dreams of becoming a rockstar. One of her favorite past times is reading. She feels that reading is a way to gain skills for the future. When she has spare pocket money she would spend it on books, and pass a whole day lost in a book. She is half Japanese and half Filipino and has lived in both countries.

All interested families are asked to submit an inquiry form, complete the application process, and pass a background check per US State Department regulations. Families who are interested in this experience can apply here: Apply to Host an Exchange Student | Greenheart Exchange.

Please direct any questions to the local coordinator- Sarah Smith. As school starts soon, time is of the essence 😉

Sarah Smith
Missoula Local Coordinator for Greenheart Exchange
smaigin@yahoo.com
406.270.1811

Hi guys!!! It’s been a while! We took a little break from our traditional sit down Supper Clubs this spring, but we are back and so excited to feature the the talents of chef Suhad Munshid, our newest neighbor from Iraq, for this month’s supper club! Join us at Masala on July 28th for a taste of traditional Iraqi cuisine.

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

Suhad’s recipes are prepared with flavorful herbs and spices, and she is very excited to spread some joy with her delicious cooking!

Reserve your spot today! Find out how below… a heads-up: they go QUICKLY!

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

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

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

How: To make a reservation call Masala at (406) 926- 6444

When you pay after your meal, 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!

Missoula resident and Fordham University student Rosie McCormack is seeking broad perspectives for her research thesis on refugee integration and community involvement in Missoula.

If you are interested in taking a short survey, please click here! To learn more about the project, reach out to her at rmccormack6@fordham.edu. 

UM’s English Language Institute is looking for community members to host 1-2 high school students from Kumamoto, Japan, (Montana’s sister state) for one afternoon on Saturday, July 27 from 2-7 pm. Hosts will coordinate an activity or excursion for their students and then provide dinner either at home or out. The program is looking for hosts for 23 students.