Lawrence & Argyle Partnership!


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About L&A:

“I’m Jenn, and Lawrence & Argyle is my labor of love. My parents are Vietnamese refugees. Despite limited English skills, little money and multiple barriers to success, they were dedicated to our family’s well-being. They did for me what most parents would do, and I wear their struggles as a badge of honor.

I’m a proud American. I created Lawrence & Argyle to honor my peers and their families who have been through similar circumstances, as well as the people who are still trying to find a home in our country. This is not a perfect place, but I believe that we can make room for any person seeking the best opportunities for themselves and their loved ones.”


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Soft Landing Missoula has been chosen as Lawrence & Argyle’s partner for April-June of 2019!

Lawrence & Argyle is an apparel company based out of Chicago, IL that celebrates America’s immigrant heritage. 50% of their profit is donated to organizations that serve immigrants and refugees in the United States. They partner with a different non-profit organization every quarter and we are lucky enough to be chosen for this quarter!


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If you purchase any of their apparel, 50% of the proceeds will go directly to Soft Landing Missoula through the end of June! So take a peek around their store and support refugees and immigrants here under the big sky.

More about Lawrence & Argyle:

Website: lawrenceandargyle.com
Instagram: instagram.com/lawrenceandargyle

Happy Galentine’s Day!


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Happy Galentine’s Day!!

Today is all about ladies celebrating ladies and MY GOSH do we have some amazing women in our lives. Soft Landing is completely run by women (with a shout out to our great male board members and volunteers as well!), but today we want to celebrate one girl boss that we are so grateful to know- the lovely Miry Whitehill of Miry’s List.

It has been incredible to be inspired and supported by other groundbreaking organizations around the nation and Miry’s List is one of the best “sisters” we could ask for. Miry is always a text away and has been a huge part of helping Soft Landing find our footing. We are constantly inspired by the work they do, the persistence they have, and the light they spread in their community and beyond.

For Christmas, Molly got Mary the perfect present: a Miry’s List sweatshirt and she hasn’t taken it off since! Go grab yourselves one too! And while you’re at it, go follow along with their journey, it’s a pretty spectacular one.

On this Galentine’s Day, we celebrate the women who see a need and meet it. The women who are faced with a challenge and choose to share love. The women who know that supporting other women will raise everybody up. Happy Galentine’s Day, everyone! Today and every day, let’s celebrate the women who bring light to our lives. Spread the love today and always.


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Music, dance, and storytelling from Ghana, West Africa with Kofi Anang

Unity Dance and Drum is hosting Kofi Anang for a series of exciting events October 15th-18th. You won’t want to miss this experience! Information about the week provided by Unity Dance and Drum below:

SAVE THE DATES!  October 15-18 Unity Dance & Drum presents Kofi Anang, in Missoula to share music, dance and storytelling from Ghana, West Africa.

 

Kofi is a staple of West African performance and teaching in the Pacific Northwest. His organization, Ocheami, in Seattle, WA, was founded with the purpose of sharing West African culture by providing authentic, quality instruction and performances in African Arts — and to have these experiences accessible to all.

 

Kofi Anang is a graduate of the University of Ghana, Department of Music and Dance. He performed with the Ghana National Dance Ensemble throughout the world from 1965-1972. Kofi was lead dancer and musician with the late Obo Addy, a well-respected Ghanaian musician, from 1972-1977. Incorporating his talents as a dancer, drummer, teacher and choreographer, Kofi co-founded Ocheami in 1978, and serves as Artistic Director.

 

SCHEDULE

Tuesday, October 16, Missoula Senior Center (705 S. Higgins)

Drum class 5:30-7:00pm

Dance Class 7-8:30pm

$20/class suggested

 

Wednesday, October 17, 7:00pm, Open Space (PARTV005), UM Campus

Evening performance and sampling of music (kalimba, drums, bells, song), storytelling, dance, and conversation of Ghana, West Africa — come enjoy Kofi Anang in his element, sharing his knowledge and expertise with Missoula! Free for UM students, $5-$20 suggested donation at the door. Co-sponsored by the UM Dance Department and Unity Dance & Drum.

 

UM classes: please respect UM policy that you must be invited by Tarn Ream into these classes (please contact Tarn with questions, tarn.ream@umontana.edu)

Students will learn the dance Abaja – a ceremonial dance from the Eve people of Ghana that is performed at Home Going Celebrations (transition from life to death). The dance is based on the movements of a bird because now the spirit is free…

Monday, October 15, 4:00-5:20pm dance

Wednesday, October 17, 4:00-5:20pm drum

UM students free, donation suggested for non-UM folks.

 

More about Ocheami:

Ocheami is an African Arts organization that aspires to promote healthy, holistic lifestyle practices, cultural competency through education and cultural development, independently and in collaborative ventures with other organizations.

 

We are a group of artists and educators with a common goal, to study, share and perform West African culture to support healthy perspectives of life. Ocheami means linguist, the representative who speaks on behalf of the chief in the Ga Language of Ghana, West Africa. Ocheami are “performers speaking on behalf of West African people through drumming, dance, song and storytelling.”

 

Ocheami is currently celebrating their 30 plus years of providing excellent programs in these disciplines.


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Volunteer opportunity- English tutoring

The Life Long Learning Center is in search of volunteer English tutors for their adult ESL class. This is a great way to get involved and help folks as they learn to speak English! They are in search of volunteers who are available Mondays through Thursdays from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm. If you are interested in this opportunity and available during any of the listed times contact llc@mcps.k12.mt.us for more information!

“Being a volunteer English tutor at the LLC means that every day is a joyful celebration of learning and of belonging. Supported by amazing ESL instructors, volunteers can make a tangible difference in the lives of refugees as well as other English language learners. Whether working 1:1 or in a group, whether conjugating verbs or counting money,  the LLC ESL classroom is a place where hearts and minds connect across cultures to create relationships which enrich the lives of everyone who is present.” – Life Long Learning Center English volunteer. Jan McArthur


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