Events

February Supper Club 2/24

by Adam Hendrickson

Join us at Masala for Soft Landing Missoula’s February 24th supper club! This month we are excited to showcase the talents of guest chef Dr. Shabnam Qureshi.

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.

Outside of this Supper Club, Professor Qureshi teaches at the University of Montana and offers cooking classes around town to share a bit of Pakistani culture and generosity with Missoula. For this supper club she will prepare an array of savory and sweet dishes with options for vegetarians.


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

When: Sunday, February 24th. Doors at 5:30 pm and dinner at 6:00pm

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 Masala at (406) 926- 6444

***Please let us know if anyone in your party would like a vegetarian meal and we will do our best to accommodate this.***

Events

BSDFF 2019

by Adam Hendrickson

The Big Sky Documentary Film Fest (BSDFF) is……

For the 3rd year in a row, Soft Landing Missoula will be sponsoring films for this great event. This is always a fun opportunity to promote a great community event that showcases so much diversity while supporting the arts!

This year, our films will be:

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The Interpreters:

Sofian Khan, Andres Caballero, 2017, USA — 74 minutes
Sunday, Feb 17th @ 9:00 pm –Elks Lodge 

Afghan and Iraqi interpreters serve as a crucial bridge between American soldiers and local nationals.  But as a result of their work with the U.S., many have become targets.  In the chaos of their war torn countries, these loyal allies now struggle to find a way out for themselves and their families.

All films for this screening:

The Trial and The Interpreters

*** Soft Landing will make an introduction to this film and have invited Andrew Person, a Missoula veteran with direct experience working with SIV Interpreters, to also share a bit about his story before the film. We will also be available after the film for comments and questions.***

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Lifeboat:

Skye Fitzgerald, 2018, International waters, Malta, Tunisia, USA — 35 minutes
Sunday, Feb 17th @ 1:00 pm –Wilma

Volunteers from a German non-profit risk the waves of the Mediterranean to pluck refugees from sinking rafts pushing off from Libya in the middle of the night. LIFEBOAT puts a human face on one of the world’s greatest contemporary, global crises and provides a spark of hope surrounding how civil society can intervene in the refugee crisis in a meaningful way.

All films for this screening:

Freedom in the Devil’s Garb, Osama and Ayman, Steve is Undocumented,  Girls Section, After the Fire, and Lifeboat

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Learning to Swim:

Ruth Grimberg, 2017, UK — 10 minutes

Saturday, Feb 23rd @ 4:15 pm –MCT Center for the Performing Arts
Sunday, Feb 24th @ 3:45 pm –Elks Lodge 

In the quiet world of a quintessentially English town and amidst the fear and uncertainty of immigration and terrorism, Ingrid offers shelter to Ahmed, a Syrian refugee who has left everything behind in his search for a new life.

All films for Saturday screening:

Learning to Swim, All on a Mardi Gras Day, Small Family, Happy Family

All films for Sunday screening:

Learning to Swim, Heroin Hearse, The Black Mambas, Sunyi (Silence), Enforcement Hours, Swatted 

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For more information on all of the films, see the full calendar here and the individual listings here.

Events

Giving Tuesday 2018!

by Adam Hendrickson


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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!



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On November 27, we encourage you to make a gift to Soft Landing Missoula to help us reach our goal of $5,000!

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!


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Seeking Intern/Volunteer for Child Care

by Adam Hendrickson

The International Rescue Committee is seeking a volunteer or intern to assist with childcare for Missoula’s refugee population. 


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ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Develop and implement childcare self-sufficiency plan in coordination with IRC staff and refugee family including: search for appropriate openings, facilitate tours, & assist families in completing paperwork
  • Serve as a liaison between refugee clients and Child Care Resources, the state scholarship program provider.
  • Teach families how to ride the public bus to reach Child Care Resources and childcare facilities 
  • Establish and cultivate relationships with Child Care Resources and early education providers
  • Expand on existing childcare procedures and protocol manual
  • Assisting with files, case notes, data entry, participation in weekly case staffing meetings

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Background in early childhood education, social work, or other related fields
  • Motivated, flexible and ability to work independently, prioritize, and manage time effectively
  • Strong computer skill with proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate and work as a team member in a cross-cultural environment
  • IRC orientation and background check required
  • Experience working with refugees/diverse populations is a plus 

POSISTION LOGISTICS:

  • Compensation: This an unpaid internship
  • Hours: 10+ or more hours a week
  • Supervisor: Becca Burgmeier, Employment Specialist at the International Rescue Committee

Interested candidates should email a resume and brief statement of interest to Zak Reimer, Community Engagement Coordinator at volunteer.missoula@rescue.org!

Lucky’s Market Bags For Change Voting

by Adam Hendrickson


VOTE FOR SOFT LANDING MISSOULA

Soft Landing Missoula needs your help! 

Lucky’s Market Missoula has nominated Soft Landing Missoula to be in the running for their Bags For Change program. Every time you bring a reusable bag to your shopping trip to Lucky’s Market, you can create change in your own community. You will receive a wooden dime for each bag you bring and can then choose your favorite local nonprofit to donate your dime to! At the end of the quarter, all of the tokens will be counted and Lucky’s Market will match the donation.

To win this opportunity to be included in Bags For Change, we need all of our supporters to vote for us by following this link and casting your vote for Soft Landing Missoula! The voting period runs from 7.23.18 – 7.30.18 and ends at midnight, so please share this with your friends and family and help SLM become one of Lucky’s Market’s Bags For Change partners!

 


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Announcing February Soft Landing Supper Club!

by Adam Hendrickson


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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.

This month, we are honored to introduce guest chef Farida Khinjani and her delicious and traditional Afghan cuisine.

Book your reservation quickly, as space is limited and we tend to sell out fast!

The meal will be served family style at Masala. We are so grateful to Masala to be hosting a supper club for the second month in a row! 

This month we are presenting our new Eat-Give-Love model! Payment will be collected after the meal, but when you pay you will have the option to: Eat: $40 for a delicious family style Afghan 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!

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

When: Sunday February 25th.  Doors open at 5:30p and food will be served at 6:00p

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

How: Call Masala at (406) 926-6444 to make a reservation

Please direct any further questions to megan@softlandingmissoula.org

Welcoming Community

by Adam Hendrickson

You know you are in a great community when a volunteer stops by to donate these hand stitched welcoming creatures to the next kiddos to walk through our doors and another volunteer walks in with the handmade hat and booties for a new baby! Thank you Missoula.


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“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. 

 

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!

 

Your Year-End Gift to Soft Landing Missoula

by Adam Hendrickson

There is still time to make your year-end gift to Soft Landing Missoula!

2017 has been an incredible year for us. We hosted several community events, sponsored a booth at the Farmer’s Market, explored food entrepreneurship programming, and more. Check out our Year in Review!

In the coming year, we are committed to continuing our current client-driven programming as well as our informative and inclusive outreach. Our priority remains to further knowledge and acceptance of refugees across the state, especially for those with questions and concerns.  We will also be exploring some really exciting opportunities for refugees to share culture and tradition through food, while navigating a future in food entrepreneurship with the launch of “United We Eat”!

With your support, Soft Landing Missoula can continue our mission to bring Missoula together to help refugees thrive in our community. 2017 was a year of growth for us and your gift ensures we have the resources to make our dreams for 2018 possible. Thank you for supporting us this holiday season!

To make a tax-deductable year end gift, complete the form below or mail a check to 939 Stephens Ave, Suite C, Missoula, MT 59801.