This has been a complex year for the resettled community. Amidst the palpable unrest many are experiencing regarding their livelihood in the United States, we have seen the stories of so many people in our community unfold in new ways that show us the resilience of our resettled neighbors and remind us of hope.

Mentors who were paired with resettled families and youth continue to provide friendship and meaningful support in a myriad of ways:

• A young Afghan woman received support from her mentor exploring educational options that will allow her to obtain her high school diploma and begin earning college credit.
• Upon securing affordable housing, a family of four from Eritrea received assistance from their mentors moving to their new home.
• A mentor team has provided incredible support to an Afghan family of seven with pursuing affordable housing as they work toward self-sustainability.
• A youth from the Central African Republic and his mentor have been working to identify part-time work so this young man can support his family during a difficult financial season.
• A mentor provided support to a resettled family of six in moving toward food security – getting connected to a local food bank to help fill in the gap.
• An Afghan family of seven with their mentors visited the Oregon Zoo together, finding ways to cultivate joy even in a season of such uncertainty.

We have seen mentors provide significant support in recent months with English language learning, navigating job interviews, medical appointments, and housing applications, while making connections to community resources. Our resettled neighbors share their deep gratitude for the generosity and friendship of those who have come alongside them. These moments illustrate the value of relationship and connection for those who are new to the community, cultivating home, wading through various challenges, and providing a sense of stability in an otherwise difficult time.

May we continue to contribute through our actions and words to a world filled with kindness, care and dignity for others.