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From Small Beginnings to Bountiful Harvests

Garden City Harvest’s community garden plots have become a cherished resource for many of Missoula’s refugee families, offering a bridge to cherished agricultural roots and a path that can contribute to self-sufficiency. For over five years, we’ve partnered with Garden City Harvest to provide garden spaces for our clients, with a particular interest from the Congolese gardeners!

Many refugee families come to Missoula from subsistence farming backgrounds, bringing with them a wealth of agricultural knowledge. These garden plots serve as more than just a source of food; they’re a way to connect with the land in a new home, preserve knowledge and tradition, and learn new things. This connection between old and new, the pride that comes with a successful harvest, and the simple time spent outdoors has an incredible impact on wellness and mental health. As one family shared, they initially chuckled at the smaller plot size in relation to the larger scale subsistence farming they were used to, but they soon embraced the opportunity to teach their children about gardening and found joy in working in the soil again.

What started as modest plots has blossomed into larger farming endeavors. Several Congolese families have expanded their gardening efforts to Tower Gardens, a part of FARM- Future Agricultural Resources for Montana, where they now cultivate nearly half an acre of land. This growth reflects not only their agricultural expertise but also their determination to provide fresh food for their families.

These larger plots allow families to grow staples like beans and corn on a bigger scale. It’s inspiring to see women working the land with their children, using traditional tools like hoes and often working barefoot.

One of the most exciting aspects of these gardens for the families that work them is the cultivation of culturally significant crops. For example, lenga lenga (amaranth), often considered a weed in the U.S., is a familiar food source for Congolese families and has become a popular crop among Congolese gardeners in Missoula. This is one of many “unique” crops now intentionally grown using these garden plots-  highlighting the importance of access to land for preserving cultural food traditions and the adaptability of refugee and immigrant growers.

Nourishing Community: The Garden City Harvest CSA Partnership

Our collaboration with Garden City Harvest’s River Road Farm CSA program has evolved into a vital source of fresh, organic produce for refugee families served by Soft Landing Missoula. Over the past three years, this partnership has grown to meet the unique needs of our increasingly diverse community. 

What began as a distribution of surplus produce has transformed into a carefully curated selection that caters to the culinary preferences of our clients. Popular items include onions, potatoes, tomatoes, corn, leeks, and hot peppers. We’ve also discovered a high demand for herbs like parsley, which is beloved by families from Yemen and Syria.

The CSA now functions like a mini farmer’s market at Little Twigs Childcare, another partner of Soft Landing Missoula who employs and serves many refugee and immigrant families in Missoula. This CSA program that Soft Landing Missoula helps administer, serves around 25 families throughout the summer. As one Little Twigs staff member noted, “People are always excited when the fresh vegetables arrive. It’s a huge relief for them to have fresh, organic, healthy food for their families.”

This program has also fostered a beautiful exchange of culinary traditions. Little Twigs has an on-site kitchen where food for the staff and children is lovingly prepared. As their refugee and immigrant staff numbers have grown, so has the diversity of cultures represented, leading to a rich sharing of cooking techniques and ingredient uses. For instance, many women share knowledge about the medicinal properties of various vegetables, such as beets for iron or special preparations for new mothers.

The locally grown, organic produce available to refugee and immigrant families through these valuable partnerships not only provides nutritious food but also helps  maintain connections to  culinary heritage. It’s not only about feeding bodies, but also nurturing souls, preserving traditions, and growing a more connected, resilient Missoula community. 

Special thanks to Garden City Harvest’s Greg, Ian, Rye, Emily, Dylan and Tara at River Road Community Garden and Farm, Tower Gardens, Little Twigs Childcare for making this partnership possible and Soft Landing Missoula’s Director of Community Partnerships & Client Engagement Greta Bates.

Presented by Soft Landing Missoula

The fourth annual Stories of Home event recently brought together the Missoula community to explore how we define “home”. For many refugees and immigrants who have settled in our city, this seemingly simple topic unveils a mix of emotions, memories, and hopes for the future.

On a rainy evening, the ZACC auditorium filled with anticipation as attendees gathered to listen to the stories of four remarkable individuals who now call Missoula home. Their inspiring narratives captivated the audience and offered a window into the refugee and immigrant experience.

The event showcased the diverse meanings of “home” through stunning photography by Helen Rolston Clemmer and heartfelt written stories by Meli Slater,  Outreach and Communications Manager for Soft Landing Missoula. These multimedia presentations brought to life the journeys of Tanya, Malak, Ange, and Pathou, each with their unique perspective on what it means to create a home in a new land.

For those who couldn’t attend, we’re excited to share these powerful stories and images with you through the Stories of Home website . They highlight the resilience, hope, and determination that mark the refugee and immigrant experience in Missoula. 

Home is more than just a physical space. For those who have experienced displacement, it can be a cherished memory of the place left behind, the comfort found in a loved one’s embrace, a dream of future stability, or the community that welcomes them.

While each story is unique, common threads emerge. There is the courage to start anew in an unfamiliar place, finding joy in small victories and cultural connections, and navigating the challenges of building a life in a different country.

These stories offer a window into the lives of Missoula’s newest residents. Tanya’s journey from Ukraine illustrates her struggle to leave Odessa amidst war. She reflects on her new life in Missoula, where she has rekindled her passion for music and found solace in community support while holding onto memories of home.

Malak’s story from Iraq showcases her joyful spirit as she embraces life in Missoula after years of waiting for resettlement. Her bond with family remains strong as she navigates her new environment, finding empowerment through education and community involvement.

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Ange’s experiences from Uganda emphasize the importance of peace and belonging. She has thrived academically despite language barriers and is now pursuing a nursing career to give back to her community. Her connection to her cultural roots remains vibrant as she shares traditional meals with her family. 

Pathou’s journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo highlights his dedication to providing a better life for his children while advocating for refugee rights. His commitment to education and community service reflects his desire to contribute positively to his new home.

The hope of sharing these stories is to foster understanding within the wider Missoula community. It celebrates the diversity that enriches our city and reminds us all of our shared humanity, regardless of origin. Through these shared narratives, we gain a deeper understanding of what it means to create a home in a new land and how we can all contribute to making Missoula a place where everyone feels they belong. We encourage you to read each of the full stories on the Stories of Home website. These personal accounts offer deeper insights into the experiences of our community members. Additionally, don’t miss the front page article in the Missoulian about this year’s event, which provides a comprehensive overview of the impact and significance of Stories of Home in our community.Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Stories of Home a great success. We look forward to bringing you new stories next year.

At Soft Landing Missoula, we recognize the many ways in which refugees and asylees contribute to our communities.

As Missoula families work and play alongside our new neighbors, we experience first-hand the benefits of a more diverse community. By sharing the richness of cultural practices and traditions, teaching us about experiences that create resilience and strength, and showing us a window to the increasingly global world we all live in, refugees and immigrants offer an essential perspective on what it means to be a good neighbor. This is especially important for a rural state like Montana. 

Economic Contributions of Refugees and Asylees

According to a recent study conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), refugees and asylees also provide significant economic benefit to our communities. This study reveals the remarkable contributions of refugees and asylees to the American economy and sheds light on the invaluable role these individuals play in shaping our nation’s economic landscape.

Refugees and asylees have not only contributed significantly to government revenues but have brought a fiscal benefit to both federal and state governments across the US. Over a 15-year period, refugees and asylees have made a substantial fiscal impact of nearly $124 billion, with approximately $92.3 billion benefiting state and local governments and $31.5 billion benefiting the federal government. These figures highlight the overwhelmingly positive influence refugees and asylees have on our economy.

This study also helps to debunk the misconceptions surrounding the economic burden often associated with refugee resettlement. Refugees and asylees have proven to be positive contributors, surpassing the cost of public services through their tax contributions. Over the 15-year period examined, their tax payments totaled a staggering $581 billion, far surpassing the $457.2 billion spent on government services. As Robin Dunn Marcos, HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Humanitarian Services, aptly stated, “We have witnessed for years the significant contributions that refugees and asylees provide to our communities and workplaces.” Indeed, the report serves as a testament to the resilience, entrepreneurial spirit, and economic dynamism of refugee and asylee populations.

Addressing Workforce Challenges in Montana

Economic impacts of refugees and immigrants can be especially significant in Montana where our aging population is leading to a decline in labor force participation. Montana is among the top 10 states in the nation with the highest percentage of residents 65 and older. The 2023 Montana State Plan on Aging underscores this rising percentage, highlighting the pressing need for solutions to sustain the workforce. Retirements have led to a decline in labor force participation, as noted in the 2023 Montana Labor Day Report, exacerbating workforce shortages. Refugee and asylee families, often young and dynamic, engage in bolstering the local economy. While they may not be the sole solution to this challenge, they certainly play an essential role in addressing the economic implications of Montana’s aging population. By actively participating in the workforce, they bring fresh energy and skills, offering a promising outlook for combatting the economic challenges presented by our state’s demographic shifts.

As we celebrate the profound positive impact that refugees and asylees bring to their new American home- economic and otherwise- we can see how important it is to foster inclusive communities where newcomers can thrive and contribute their talents. We are hopeful the insights from this new report can be a part of informing evidence-based decision-making and advancing policies that uphold America’s tradition of welcoming vulnerable families from around the globe. Together, we can continue creating a more inclusive and welcoming America for generations to come.

Popcorn and fruit snacks decorated the floor of our Community Center after another busy day at Soft Landing Missoula. 

That day was alive with excitement as 60 children and adults from all over the world dropped in to pick up back-to-school backpacks and supplies. 

The Community Center was packed with families. Some were brand new to Missoula. Others have been here for years. A few folks made a quick stop, but most stayed a while, taking time to visit with other families and Soft Landing Missoula staff and volunteers.

Our Community Center is a place of gathering and a springboard for all of the support and resources we offer to new neighbors. This day is one of many that shows how vital this safe, welcoming, and inviting space is for people who come to Missoula as refugees and immigrants.

Today, we are serving more people, from more countries, in more ways than ever before.

500 REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS FROM 30 COUNTRIES ARE NOW A PART OF SOFT LANDING MISSOULA.

It amazes me to be able to tell you that because it shows how as a community we rise to welcome newcomers. It illustrates the beautiful richness and diversity of our Missoula. At the same time it is a heartbreaking reflection of so many global humanitarian crises. 

Because so many people must leave homes and loved ones behind, our work of welcome persists.

One of the most important things you can do to help new neighbors is to make sure they have a place like Soft Landing Missoula where they can come for support, celebration, and connection through your year-end contribution.

Can we count on you to contribute this season so that we can continue to serve a growing community of refugees and immigrants now and into the future? 

Rebuilding a life from scratch in a new place takes time. Whether here for 6 months or 6 years, Soft Landing’s “long welcome” adapts and evolves to provide family-friendly support for all who need it. 

 You are essential to this work of welcome and as we grow, your support now is as important as ever. 

Early on, families come to us to pick up winter coats and items to furnish their homes, get started with our in-house driver’s education, or get their kids involved in our youth program. The list of things to learn, do, and figure out in their new home can be exhausting.

Eventually, families want to learn about cooking with United We Eat or explore housing options when the rent is raised. At that point, they’re settling in and eager to find ways to further participate in their new community.

After several years of living here, we hear from families wanting to achieve citizenship, make big life purchases such as homes, or figure out how to start a small business. And of course, they still seek out ways to gather as a community through the many events we offer.

Through your financial contribution this year, you help make Soft Landing Missoula’s dynamic, responsive support system for a growing community of refugees and immigrants possible.

In love and gratitude, 

Mary Poole

Executive Director, Soft Landing Missoula

P.S. Your donation this season is critical! Your generosity helps offer support, resources and welcome to a growing community of refugees and immigrants in Missoula.

We’re so excited about this lineup of events to help us all celebrate Welcoming Week this year! A nationwide cultural initiative, Welcoming Week uplifts the refugee and immigrant experiences, promotes the value of creating inclusive communities and hopes to inspire us all to continue the important work of welcome in Missoula and beyond! We’re grateful for the continued support of wonderful community partners who make these events possible, and we hope to see you all out and about as we celebrate!

When refugee families arrive in Missoula, one of the things they are often most excited about is the chance to have a place to call home. Unfortunately, for a number of recently resettled refugee families, their first stop isn’t a house or an apartment where they can put down roots, but rather a hotel. 

Most refugee families who have been resettled here since late April are still living in hotels. 

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) in Missoula, the local resettlement agency, receives federal funding and a mandate to secure safe, sanitary and affordable housing at market rate to refugees when they arrive. Units must be large enough to house a family with two people per room, and it must have at least a six-month lease. Federal funding helps pay the rent for the first few months, but the goal is for adults to secure jobs that allow them to pay the monthly rent on their own. Usually, the organization has about 90 days to find this housing. 

It’s not uncommon for new neighbors to spend a couple weeks in hotels when they first arrive as the IRC in Missoula irons out details with lease agreements. Rooms must be able to support extended stays and include a full kitchen, and most of Missoula’s options that meet these requirements are far outside of town, away from public transportation. AirBnb rentals are used too, but they are expensive and hard to come by during the high season of summer tourism. 

Hotel and AirBnB stays are costly. Long stays in temporary housing drain the IRC in Missoula’s federal funds. Meant to last months to support new families and meet their basic needs, these funds are being exhausted within two to three weeks as a result. 

We have seen firsthand how Missoulians readily support neighbors. If you know of any possible housing options, please let us know. 

The current situation has grown so difficult that the IRC in Missoula has requested a pause on new refugee arrivals, the first time the agency has had to do so since reopening its doors in 2016. 

We acknowledge efforts by city officials to address this ongoing crisis that impacts all community members, but we also recognize that a continued housing shortage could threaten the future of resettlement in Missoula.

As joint partners in the work of resettlement, the IRC in Missoula and Soft Landing Missoula are putting out a call to community members for any leads on three- or four-bedroom housing options for rent of six months or more within city limits. The IRC in Missoula can work with private landlords and property management companies. 

While things are worse now, the reality is that refugees, in particular, have long faced barriers to securing housing that predate this acute crisis. 

To rent a house in Missoula, you’re asked to show things like rental history and a credit history. Most newcomers have lived in refugee camps for years or fled their home due to conflict, so they typically lack such records, causing some landlords to request double, and even triple deposits at times. Even if a refugee family can afford the monthly rent, new arrivals rarely have the kind of savings that would make it financially possible to put that kind of deposit together upfront.  

These requirements serve as barriers that are all but insurmountable for many refugees. Even with the endorsement and support of the IRC in Missoula, only a couple companies in town have been willing to rent to refugee families. As such, an already-severe shortage of housing options dwindles even further.

We’re working with local partners to see what reasonable accommodations, if any, might be available to new neighbors in order to ease this process. Missoula’s ability to be a place that welcomes refugees and provides an opportunity for new neighbors to integrate so our whole community can thrive hinges on the availability of housing units that meet the requirements of the IRC in Missoula’s federal contract and provide dignity to families. 

According to Zumper, a rental aggregation site, the median rental price for a one-bedroom unit in Missoula as of July 2023 was $1,250 per month, up 14% from last year. Many refugee and immigrant families with whom we work are large, so they require a bigger space. Renters looking for a three-bedroom and four-bedroom unit should expect to pay $2,245 and $2,598, respectively. 

Generally speaking, experts say that a healthy rental market has a vacancy rate somewhere between 5% and 8%, so that tenants can move into units at a reasonable price and still have some choice in where they end up. A low vacancy rate means that demand far outpaces supply, which drives costs up and pushes people out of the rental market. 

In 2022, the average vacancy rate in Missoula was critically low at 1.2%. 

Our entire community has been impacted by this difficult combination of high prices and low supply. The Missoula Housing Authority recently opened its doors to two new apartment complexes, adding roughly 200 units of affordable housing units allocated for households earning a range of incomes. People are moving into the complexes, called the Trinity and Villagio, including refugee families, but this is just a start. As of 2021, over 1,400 people were on a waitlist for housing vouchers, and the Missoula Housing Authority says that people will often wait years to get into its affordable housing units. 

We have seen time-and-time again how Missoulians rise to the occasion to support fellow neighbors. That’s why we’re putting this call out for any potential leads on housing options, including a chance to forge relationships with individual homeowners/landlords and/or new property management companies. While a three- or four-bedroom option with a six-month or longer lease would be ideal, shorter alternatives to get families out of hotels would also be hugely beneficial.  Again, the units must be within Missoula city limits. 

Even if it’s one unit and one family at a time, we believe there’s progress that can be made! 

Please reach out to the IRC in Missoula with any questions or information: housing.missoula@rescue.org

Thank you all for your continued support!

If you’re able, please consider donating a used car to make an extraordinary difference in the lives of new neighbors. 

Upon arrival to Missoula, many refugees and immigrants quickly realize that many of the places essential for them to access – their workplace, their kids’ schools, the grocery store, doctor’s office, pharmacy and more – aren’t necessarily close to one another. While the bus system helps, anyone who has relied on it as their sole form of transportation knows that it can make trips longer or more cumbersome. Add to it a language barrier, lack of familiarity with a new city and Montana’s often extreme weather conditions, and many families find themselves simply staying put or spending hours traveling from place to place. 

It comes to no surprise to those of us at Soft Landing, then, that we field many questions about how to drive in this country. We work with many clients to help them obtain their Montana drivers licenses, but that’s only half the battle. 

Even with a license, most families don’t have a car – and getting one means a hefty payment that few new neighbors can afford. We’ve been fortunate to receive a number of donated cars throughout the years, and we see how these generous gifts make an immediate and material impact on a family’s life. 

To put things into perspective, here is a typical day-in-the-life for a newly arrived refugee family in Missoula: Dad has work at 6:00 am. He carpools each way with a coworker. Mom wakes up and helps her four kids – two old enough to be enrolled in school, two more still infants – get ready. The older two catch the bus to school, and then she walks with her babies to the nearest bus stop, usually no closer than a quarter-mile to head to daycare. The trip requires one transfer to the childcare facility, and then she hops on a third bus to get to her workplace. She does it all again after work. 

All told, this family spends 90-minutes or more traveling between essential stops when it could take 15 minutes in a private vehicle. And that’s just for one day’s necessities! During the winter, this voyage includes frigid temperatures and icy sidewalks. Come summertime, the walks are typically more pleasant, but waiting for the bus in smoky air or scalding afternoon heat takes a toll. 

Having a car is a huge lift off of families’ shoulders. And, just as critically, it affords them the freedom connect to their new home more deeply, through activities we all love like going to the park, visiting with friends, and getting to know their new community!

Soft Landing maintains a long waiting list of families who need a car. At any point in time, we have about 15 families whose lives would be meaningfully improved with more reliable transportation and the independence it affords. And that list is only growing as more and more people are resettled in Missoula. 

We’re turning to you, this generous and supportive community, for help! If you or anyone you know is looking for a way to make a difference for a refugee or immigrant neighbor in Missoula and also happens to have a car you’re looking to offload, please consider donating it to Soft Landing. We would be extraordinarily appreciative! 

Donated vehicles should be in good working condition. Many of the families we work with have limited funds for repairs. Once we learn of a new donor, we reference our waiting list and let the family know about the good news. They are always elated. 

Because of our non-profit status, Soft Landing cannot take ownership of the vehicle, which means we are unable to provide a donation receipt. We do help in the vehicle handoff as well as help the family/client navigate registration and insurance. Please reach out with any questions to Greta Bates at greta@softlandingmissoula.org.

Grill smoke wafts into the air at Fort Missoula, carrying the distinct smells of meats cooked over charcoal into every corner, the sure sign of a good summertime party. Colorful flags drape the pavilion’s brick pillars, and smaller versions dot the picnic tables. A steady drumbeat of music from Djebe Bara reverberates throughout the space, creating a pleasant backdrop to the persistent hum of conversation and laughter. Off in the distance, soccer players zip up and down the field, the bright hues of their jerseys a stark contrast to the earthy green of the turf and the blue sky above. There’s face-painting, a balloon animal station, and Sweet Peaks ice cream scoops doled out at warp speed. 

All this can only mean one thing: World Refugee Day in Missoula! 

June 20th is a day designated internationally by the United Nations as World Refugee Day to honor the lives, experiences, strength, and resilience of refugees around the globe. Such a celebration helps to focus global attention, at least for one day, on the realities facing people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes, and to shine a light on their full personhood — including not only their pasts, but their present and future rights, needs, and dreams. 

Here in Missoula, we hosted an annual gathering – really, a big ole party – to bring refugees, immigrants, partners, volunteers, and other community members together to celebrate this experience. Our event this year took place on June 17th at Fort Missoula – and it was our biggest ever! Nearly 450 people turned out to support and uplift the refugee experience and honor the journey.

For those of you who couldn’t make it, believe us when we say it was SO fun! For those of you who were able to attend, THANK YOU for being there!

The United Nations first commemorated World Refugee Day in 2001. June 20th was selected as the date to acknowledge the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, the cornerstone of global legal protection for refugees and the somber, but necessary recognition of their place as one of the most vulnerable groups of people in the world. The 1951 Convention defined ‘refugee,’ outlined the assistance a refugee is entitled to receive — such as housing, work, and education — and formed the basis of the UNHCR’s work that continues today. 

The Convention was born of the crisis facing millions of people forced to flee their home countries in the wake of both World War I and World War II. Today, the number of forcibly displaced people around the world exceeds 100 million, nearly 33 million of whom meet the legal definition of ‘refugee’ set forth by that 1951 Convention. More than 72% of people displaced are originally from Syria, Venezuela, Ukraine, Afghanistan, or South Sudan. 

For Soft Landing Missoula, World Refugee Day is one of the most powerful, inspirational, and joy-filled moments of our year. We have learned so much from refugee community members about how they view the day as a celebration — of where they come from, where they are, and where they are going — so we strive to create moments that speak to these milestones. 

We are grateful and honored to share in many of those moments, chief among them World Refugee Day. This year’s event was filled with soccer, delicious food prepared by the United We Eat kitchen and chefs, music, and time spent building community with so many Missoulians, including new neighbors and longtime residents. 

United We Eat prepared a bonafide feast: Eritrean lentils from Chef Takea and injera from Chef Merry; Afghan kofta from Chef Farida; Congolese goat skewers from Chef Moses; Syrian shish tawook (chicken) from Chef Shaza; Guinean spicy chicken soup from Chef Oumar; and a number of spreads, veggie sides, and coffee from the kitchen staff. 

PHEW! It was delicious, and we heard from so many people that they loved getting to experience a variety of cuisine from around the world all at once. Kids also loved the falafel wraps from Kamoon and the slices of piping hot ‘za from Bridge Pizza!

We were also grateful to have a number of community organizations attend the event, providing information and ways to get involved or access services. The City of Missoula sent a number of representatives, including Mayor Jordan Hess and the Fire and Police Departments. 

Our soccer tournament included four teams with the championship match being a clash of the titans between two of the squads that had dominated the field for most of the day. Winners were gracious, but very excited to don their medals throughout dinner! 

None of this would have been possible without the invaluable participation of volunteers and sponsors. Volunteers spent hours with us in service of this larger celebration. They stood in front of hot grills so people had freshly cooked skewers to eat; moved picnic tables and decorated the pavilion; sold merchandise; provided transportation; and so much more. 

And Lead Sponsors Clearwater Credit Union and ATG, a Cognizant Company, were instrumental in giving us the financial support we needed to pull off an event of this scale so successfully. 

As Missoula Mayor Jordan Hess said during his remarks at the event, this community is much stronger and greatly enriched thanks to the immense contributions of refugee neighbors. 

Thank you to everyone who continues to support this work of Welcome – this World Refugee Day and every day!