Newsletter 4/12/19

Whirlwind!

As I was stumbling out of the office today, in a rush to reunite with my kiddos at the end of a busy day, I couldn’t help but smile as I walked past room after room of refugee students hard at work studying with volunteer tutors (Shyla- Our AMAZING practicum student built this program that serves 15+ kiddos twice a week from SCRATCH! She is incredible!).  I had to dodge a few balls from the kiddos who were taking a break from studying to unwind with an impromptu game of “using a youth basketball to play soccer in tight indoor spaces while not trying to knock pictures off of the walls”.  My walk towards the back door then lead me by the father of the first refugee family who arrived to Missoula in August 2016, shepherding a brand new family that arrived just in the last couple weeks as they were looking through items (that had been so so generously donated by our community) for their new apartment.  By the time I high-fived another neighbor, smooched a kiddo good bye and got out the back door, I was no longer just smiling- I was grinning ear-to-ear, absolutely in awe of what we have created here.  

The last couple weeks, we have also been honored to have been a part of several wonderful events with incredible partners. Our timely lecture at UM (live streamedby MCAT) in partnership with Climate Smart Missoula and the JRPC looked at howclimate change is driving human migration.  Over the next 2 days, we saw this topic being covered by a few major news outlets, like here and here (Trendsetters, I know!). We had so much fun, and full bellies, at the Celebrate Islam Week Banquet put on by SALAM that we were so lucky to help sponsor this year. At this event, we got to meet an incredible woman, Asmaa Albukaie. Forced to flee after the kidnapping and subsequent murder of her husband, Asmaa and her two boys were the first Syrian refugees to arrive to Boise after the start of the Syrian civil war. There is so much I could say here about her amazing and inspiring talk, but our biggest take home were the photos she showed of her “American mom and dad” and her “American sisters” who got this single mother through the most trying times of resettling in a new home and truly became her family.  We looked around the room and saw the new mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers holding hands with many of Missoula’s refugee families and again, I KNEW this community was doing something amazing. A huge thanks goes out to the incredible Clem Work, Soft Landing board member, for finding and arranging both of these speakers- no small task!  We love you!

Lastly, you guys showed up in droves for our new food adventure, United We Eat @home this week! One email I received before the pick up time was even over said it best, “We (my 11-year old son and I) just picked up and ate our first United We Eat meals—best meal I’ve had in Missoula in years.  The boy loved it too!  Wow!  Our compliments to the chef.  That was outstanding and I can’t wait for the next one!”.  If you didn’t already get an email in your inbox today with the new menu- please sign up if you don’t want to miss out!

OK!  That’s it from me! I hope you all have lovely weekends and can take advantage of every sliver of sunshine thrown our way.

In love and gratitude,

Mary Poole
ED Soft Landing Missoula


United We Eat

The first week of United We Eat @home was an amazing success! Sign up here if you haven’t already so you don’t miss your chance at an amazing and affordable meal cooked weekly by refugee and immigrant chefs!

We are also in need of volunteers in the kitchen for this new program!  Email mary@softlandingmissoula.org if this sounds up your alley and you have availability Tuesdays and Wednesdays!


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People, Partners, Programs

Lawrence & Argyle is an apparel company based out of Chicago that celebrates America’s immigrant heritage. They partner with non-profit organizations throughout the year and we are lucky enough to be chosen for this quarter!
If you purchase any of their apparel, 50% of the proceeds will go directly to Soft Landing Missoula through the end of June!  Take a peek around their store to support refugees and immigrants here under the big sky.

Upcoming Events

Bingo! for the Lifelong Learning Center:  English classes (and more!) though the LLC are essential for the success of refugees in Missoula.  On April 17th from 6:30-8:30, come out and have fun while supporting their incredible and life changing work! <<LEARN MORE>>

World View Film Series: Cultures in Harmony- Join us for the third film of this series in partnership with The Roxy! Under African Skies will be playing at 7p on April 22nd. <<LEARN MORE>>

Painting with a Purpose- Painting with a Twist® is proudly sponsoring SLM for their monthly fund raising event on April 30th at 6:30p. <<LEARN MORE>>


A few more photos for your enjoyment!

Thank you to the Rocky Mountain School of Photography and MAC for working with Soft Landing Missoula to help 2 ambitious women learn to use their Camera’s in the RMSP “Mastering Your Camera” course. Learning the art of Photography has been a skill that these women have been excited about since they arrived in Missoula last spring, so thanks for helping make photography a reality for them!



Everyone wants more food photos right?  If this makes you hungry- 
sign up to receive weekly menus for United We Eat @home!



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Bingo for the LLC!

Bingo AND supporting the Lifelong Learning Center’s English Language Learning program? Yep. Come play and raise funds with their partners for the year: Big Sky SHRM (Society or Human Resource Managers). Bingo cards will be $2 each, with 10 games and lots of prizes. ELL students get to play 5 games for free! Snacks and beverages provided, and beer and wine will be available to purchase. Proceeds will support the center, refugees, and other English Language Learners around Missoula. We’re stoked to help spread the word.

Wednesday, April 17

6:30-8:30 PM

Missoula Federal Credit Union Training Center

3600 Brooks St.


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Painting with a Purpose!


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Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Join SLM for Painting with a Purpose 2019!

Date: Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 PM

Location: Painting with a Twist, 2100 Stephens Ave Missoula, MT 59801

Tickets: https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/studio/missoula/event/1941122/

<——— You’ll be painting this!

Sip. Paint. Give Back!

In their ongoing commitment to give back to the Missoula community, Painting with a Twist® proudly sponsors a monthly fund raising event – Painting with a Purpose. 50% of the proceeds from Painting with a Purpose event and 100% of the art auction proceeds are donated to local non-profit organizations that are hosted in studio.  The process is simple: register for the class and come in and paint!  Help support Soft Landing while having a blast with family and friends.  It’s fun art, not fine art!

And don’t worry about your painting skill level, their talented team of local artists will guide you step by step through the session’s featured painting. They provide all painting supplies and no art experience is needed. Just be ready to have a blast! If you’re coming with others, but making reservations separately, give them your group’s name in the Special Request box. They will seat you together!

SLM Newsletter March 20, 2019


Happy first day of SPRING!

OK, I had to get that off my chest first!  I have some really awesome things to announce in this newsletter, but maybe none compare to the sun and melting snow we have been experiencing in the last couple days- I am ready for SPRING and welcome it’s arrival!

We had the privilege of attending two birthdays over the lovely weekend- a Congolese “baby welcoming” party for a 1 mo old and a birthday party for a Syrian kiddo turning 5. It was pretty incredible to celebrate family, birth, and growth in this season of renewal and to know that Missoula was a safe and welcoming place to do so.  Both locations were packed and fun and amazing- full of family, friends, and new communities. As we have seen time and time again, and know from our own lives as well, both of these parties centered around the sharing of food.  In our own way, we are honored to be a part of including programing for Soft Landing Missoula that recognizes and utilizes the simple yet essential idea of a shared table with enough seats for all- even if you have to bring your own folding chair to squeeze in!

So… getting to that announcement then, eh?  Soft Landing is expanding the offerings for our United We Eat program that has brought you Supper Club, holiday cookie sales, and many other opportunities for a seat at the table as well as economic opportunity for refugee chefs!  What? How? When? Sign me up!

Once a week, starting Friday April 5th, you will now be able to pre-order wonderful meals from amazing chefs for enjoying in your own home.  Once a week, you won’t have to worry about dinner but instead can quickly pick up a preordered, prepaid meal that means sharing flavor, tradition and generosity with your family.  This is a pilot program that we are launching through July to test the feasibility of running it year round- fingers crossed because that part is up to you! United We Eat @homewill be hijacking this email list for one month as we share the news while we recruit you to join the UWE @home list. For a direct link to learn more about how this works, see chef bios, and sign up for future emails, go to unitedweeatmt.org. I apologize in advance for a few extra emails in your inboxes for this month long recruitment period but starting in May, only people on the UWE@home email list will receive emails specific to that program- so hop to it (spring pun intended!)! Seriously, this is not to be missed!

I also need to give a special announcement for a long awaited 5th lecture in our Soft Landing Missoula Presents! lecture series.  There is much more info here and below on this timely and important lecture titled “Refuge in a Changing World: Climate Change, Migration and Homeland Security”that takes place April 1st at 6:30 at the UC Theater. Guest speaker and author Todd Miller will share his stories and experience on this topic to be followed by a panel of local experts. We have some incredible partners- Climate Smart Missoula and the Jeanette Rankin Peace Center- that have helped us tremendously in presenting this lecture and HUGE thanks go to SLM board member extraordinaire, Clem Work, for hours and hours spent making this happen!

Lastly, and kind of on a more somber but incredibly hopeful note following the tragedy at two New Zealand Mosques last week, we want to make sure you know about the upcoming week of events put together byStandingAlongsideAmerica’sMuslims (SALAM) forCelebrate Islam Week. We are honored to be a sponsor of the week’s kick off event on April 8th, the annual banquet and key note speaker, and are in awe of all of the wonderful events happening through out the week. Attendance at these events is a tangible way we can “show up” for Muslims in our community- with open hearts and open ears- to celebrate, learn and honor the beauty and contributions that diverse peoples and religions bring to our community, our country and our world.  Again, lots more info below and the banquet tickets sell out every year so get yours ASAP!

Wow!  You guys still with me?!  So many big things going on and we truly hope you can be a part of it all in this busy and wonderful spring season.

In love and gratitude,

Mary Poole
ED Soft Landing Missoula


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United We Eat

Announcing the launch of our new pilot program to bring you a deliciously prepared meal one night a week for enjoying at home! United We Eat @home is here! Go to the website to learn more and sign up!

In lieu of an April Supper Club, we will be sponsoring and attending the opening banquet during SALAM’s Celebrate Islam Week on April 8th. Featuring Keynote Speaker Asmaa Albukaie of Boise, ID (via Syria), and food from all over the Arab world, get your tickets fast- it sells out every year!

People, Partners, Programs

Dear Liz Colantuono- a love letter from Mary Poole…
Where would I be without you?!

What’s Going On?!

>> Come see the Congolese Choir, the Women’s Choir and more perform at a benefit concert on Thursday April 21st from 7-9p for the Florence Project put on by many incredible partners. <<READ MORE

>> Bouncing for Bucks at Flying Squirrel Missoula!  Come have fun with us on Friday April 22 from 5-9p and 1/2 of your admission price will go to Soft Landing Missoula. <<READ MORE

>> Don’t forget to check out all of the incredible upcoming events for Celebrate Islam Week and get your tickets to the delicious opening banquet on April 8th<<READ MORE

>> Soft Landing Missoula Presents! Lecture Series: Refuge in a Changing World- Climate Change, Migration and Homeland Security. Join us and speaker/author Todd Miller as we explore this timely and important topic. See poster below. <<READ MORE


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Soft Landing Missoula Presents! Lecture Series: Refuge in a Changing World: Climate Change, Migration, and Homeland Security

As climate change forces more people to flee their homes, do borders keep getting fortified, or are there other ways humankind could be looking for solutions? Journalist and award-winning author Todd Miller will use stories to explore the dynamics of climate, human displacement, and border security. With 68.5 million forcibly displaced people currently across the globe, many of whom have been forced to leave their homes due to conflicts with origins in climate issues—including famine, drought, and scarcity of resources—there is no better time to have the conversation about how we can step outside of our boxes and borders to think of creative solutions that bring opportunity and promise of a good life to all.

Following his talk, there will be a panel discussion and Q&A of local experts to consider implications of climate migrants in Missoula and Montana.

Following the Q&A, there will be a reception at the Mansfield Center, and Todd will be signing copies of his latest book, Empire of Borders: The Expansion of the U.S. Border Around the World.

This talk is co-sponsored by Climate Smart Missoula, the Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, the UM College of Humanities and Sciences, the UM Environmental Science and Natural Resource Journalism graduate program, and the UM Climate Change Studies Program.

It is made possible through support of our above sponsors and generous grants from Humanities Montana and Thrivent Financial.

When: April 1st, 2019 6:30-8:30 pm

Where: University Center Theater @ University of Montana

Todd Miller is the author of two other books: Border Patrol Nation: Dispatches from the Front Lines of Homeland Security, and Storming the Wall: Climate Change, Migration, and Homeland Security, which won the 2018 Izzy Award for Excellence in Investigative Journalism. He has spent the last 17 years researching, writing, and working on immigration and border issues from both sides of the U.S.-Mexico divide. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Mother Jones, TomDispatch, The Nation, San Francisco Chronicle, In These Times, Guernica, and Al Jazeera English, among other publications. He’s a contributing editor on border and immigration issues for NACLA Report on the Americas and its column “Border Wars”.

We are very excited to welcome him to Missoula for this important and timely conversation.


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Celebrate Islam Week is Here!


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SALAM’s 4th annual Celebrate Islam Week is next month! Events include international food, pivotal discussions and lectures, and you can even try your hand at Arabic calligraphy! There is something for everyone. Get closer to the food of Iraq, Syria, Congo, and Pakistan, while listening to a Syrian refugees’ path to their new home in the United States. Empower women as they share and embrace their differences and similarities in religion, and learn about the emersion of feminism in the Muslim faith. Attend a film showing and important talk from PhD student who has worked in an Iraqi refugee camp. So much meaning and growth in one week. Detailed info below. We’re so honored to be co-sponsors of the banquet ($15, tickets below!) and excited about these incredible (free!) events put on by SALAM.

Purchase Banquet Tickets Here

Monday, April 8th 5:30-7:30PM Opening Banquet and Keynote at the First Presbyterian Church.

To purchase tickets in advance, click on link above.

Delicious dinner cooked by refugee families Asmaa Albukaie, Boise’s first Syrian refugee, speaks on “Heart-Love: A Muslim Mother’s Journey Into America.”

Tuesday, April 9th 12-2PM “Finding a Place in Religion: Women in Interfaith” in University Hall 210.

Jewish, Muslim, Christian, and Amskapi Piikani Blackfeet women discuss differences and similarities in religion, culture, and individuality as women of faith. Join Rabbi Laurie Franklin of Har Shalom, Asmaa Albukaie of Boise, Sister Mary Jo Quinn of Blessed Trinity, and Kim Paul of the Blackfeet Tribal Nation for this panel moderated by SALAM Coordinator Kelcie Murphy.

Wednesday, April 10th 7-9PM “Me and the Mosque” film in LA 011.

“Me and the Mosque” tells the story of a Canadian Muslim woman challenging the prevailing views about male dominance in her faith community. In our discussion following the film, we’ll talk about emerging trends in Islamic feminism and changing views on women in Islamic culture at large.

Thursday, April 11th 6-8PM “How Islamic faith and cultural identity affect Muslim refugee wellbeing” in Jeanette Rankin Hall 202.

PhD candidate Diana Diakow specializes in linguistic psychoanalysis, developmental psychology, and Arabic. She combines these areas of expertise in advancing the status of Muslim refugees in Iraq and Kurdistan. Join Diana in understanding how religion and cultural identity affect refugees’ wellbeing.

Friday, April 12th 6-8PM Arabic Calligraphy Workshop in UC 331.

Come study the elegant shapes of the Arabic letters and Islamic art’s non-representative forms. After this workshop you will be able to write important Islamic concepts, names, and words in Arabic.

If you would like more information or would like to volunteer for set up or take down, contact SALAM Coordinator Kelcie Murphy at salammissoula@gmail.com.

Check out the FB event for even more info on this entire week.

Each of Us Here: A Benefit Concert

On average, 5,000 immigrants are detained in Arizona on a daily basis, many of whom are fleeing desperate situations to seek asylum in the United States, and those under threat of deportation have limited access to legal aid. The Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project formed to fill this need. At no charge. They are the state’s only free assistance available, offering legal and social services to both immigrants and refugees, and Missoula is getting together to support them.

Come join us in a night of music featuring The Montana Women’s Chorus of Missoula, Pura Vida Community Chorus, and others. The evening will open with music from Missoula’s own Congolese Choir! Proceeds will go to this crucial group and the people needing their counsel. “When we work together, freedom cannot be detained.” -FIRRP

Thursday, March 21, 2019 at 7 PM – 9 PM

St. Paul Lutheran Church

202 Brooks, St. Missoula, MT

$15/person and $25/family at the door. Additional donations welcome.

This event is co-sponsored by Jeannette Rankin Peace Center and The Olive Branch, and Soft Landing Missoula

For more information about the Florence Project, please check out their website.


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2/28/19 Newsletter


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Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs).

Would you know what I meant if I said the term SIV? Many people have never heard of this status for coming to the United States as a refugee. It was created to provide a path to safety for the brave and generous men and women from Iraq and Afghanistan who put their lives on the line to serve along side our own US Military as interpreters and provide an essential lifeline for our soldiers to the communities they were working in. Recently, we sponsored a film for the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival called “The Interpreters”.  This film showed the hardship and danger that Iraqi and Afghan translators face due to working with the US- tens of thousands of who, with their families, are still in very eminent danger. 
In response to the continued slowing down of refugees into America- including SIV’s- we sponsored this film and partnered with Soft Landing Missoula board member and Marine Corps veteran, Clem Work, and a local Missoula veteran who worked along side interpreters in his tours of duty to Iraq and Afghanistan, Andrew Person, to present an op-ed advocating for SIVs.  As stated in the op-ed, “Nearly 73,000 SIVs have settled in the U.S. in the past 12-plus years (only two in Montana), but delays and red tape are putting applicants in harm’s way.”  We want you to know that there are still tens of thousands of people who qualify for this status, waiting somewhere, hiding somewhere, for America to say thank you and welcome them home.  

Please take a moment to read the rest of thisvery thoughtful op-edand join us in advocating for SIV’s by calling on Congress and the President to prioritize getting these families to safety.

In love and gratitude,

Mary Poole
ED Soft Landing Missoula

March Supper Club!


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Join us at Masala for Soft Landing Missoula’s March 10th supper club! This month we are excited to showcase the talents of guest chef Merry Gebray from Eritrea.

Merry’s meals are wonderful, packed with flavor and prepared with heart. There will also be a coffee ceremony following dinner—a daily tradition and staple of Eritrean culture!

Call Masala at (406) 926- 6444 to reserve your seat!

Reserve your spot today- they go QUICKLY! More details here.


Volunteer Spotlight- Chase Gay (aka Mr. Cheese)


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Chase volunteers with our Teen Team and has also made numerous trips to Helena to help families with their Green Card applications. He also comes to our office every Thursday to meet with clients, answer phones and help with whatever comes up. One of the refugees was gushing about how nice and helpful Mr. Chase is and accidentally called him Mr. Cheese instead. Now, of course, that is all we can call him. We are so grateful for you, Mr. Cheese! Find out more about this incredible guy here.

Upcoming Events

Flying Squirrel Bounce Night!


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Looking for a warm, dry place to spend some quality time having fun with family and friends? Take a break from the cold and come hang with us at Flying Squirrel Missoula for our first Bouncing Bucks Jump Night fundraiser!

On March 22, from 5-9p, 50% of your admission ticket will go to Soft Landing Missoula if you just say you’re with us!

Spread the word, bring your friends and make sure everyone mentions Soft Landing when purchasing admission tickets for us to benefit from this fun evening! We will also be there jumping with a crew of awesome kiddos!

IRC Petition- DUE MARCH 4TH!!

We have so many wonderful partners participating in the 2019 Legislative Session, working together as members of a coalition called MIRA, Montana Immigrant and Refugee Advocates.

As part of the effort to show support for refugees in Montana, on March 8th, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) will be hosting their first legislative briefing in Helena to educate state lawmakers about refugees and their resettlement process. 

Leading up to this day, they also need our help! They will be bringing this petition to Helena and it will be shared with all Montana legislators. Please circulate within your networks and share state wide! To show support for your new refugee neighbors and to tell legislators that you believe in the value of resettling refugees here in Montana, click the link below. Lets help them get hundreds, if not over a thousand signatures! It is an easy and quick way to Stand With Refugees! Link to sign the petition here!

SAVE THE DATE!!


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Soft Landing’s 3rd Annual World Refugee Day Cup is happening June 16th 2019. More info on how to play and party with us coming your way soon. See you there!!!  

March Supper Club

Join us at Masala for Soft Landing Missoula’s March 10th supper club! This month we are excited to showcase the talents of guest chef Merry Gebray from Eritrea.

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.

Merry’s meals are wonderful, packed with flavor and prepared with heart. There will also be a coffee ceremony following dinner—a daily tradition and staple of Eritrean culture!

Reserve your spot today! A heads-up: they go QUICKLY!


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

When: Sunday, March 10th. Doors at 5:30 pm and dinner at 6:00pm

CostEat: $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!

Flying Squirrel Missoula Bouncing Bucks Fundraiser!

Looking for a warm, dry place to spend some quality time having fun with family and friends? Take a break from the cold and come hang with us at Flying Squirrel Missoula for our first Bouncing Bucks Jump Night fundraiser!

On March 22, from 5-9p, 50% of your admission ticket will go to Soft Landing Missoula if you just say you’re with us!

Spread the word, bring your friends and make sure everyone mentions Soft Landing when purchasing admission tickets for us to benefit from this fun evening! We will also be there jumping with a crew of awesome kiddos!

See you there!


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