Hello Neighbor

We are thrilled to announce that our Neighborhood Nosh event is SOLD OUT! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this possible. We look forward to celebrating with all of you this Friday! If you missed securing a ticket, you can still participate in our online auction. Thank you for your continued support! Check out the link here: https://bit.ly/43Vc3o4

We extend our sincere thanks to the teachers at Fox Chapel Area School District for participating in our recent professional development presentation. Our Education & Community Empowerment Supervisor, Jenni Walkup-Jayes, provided valuable insights on how Hello Neighbor supports refugee and immigrant students. If you’re interested in having Hello Neighbor present at your school or organization, please reach out to us at [email protected]. Together, we can foster a more inclusive educational environment.

We are growing and looking for passionate changemakers to join our Board of Directors! If you’re skilled in governance, HR, finance, or strategy—and committed to building a more inclusive, welcoming community for immigrants and refugees—we want to hear from you! As a Board Member, you’ll attend quarterly meetings, contribute 3-5 hours a month, and work closely with us to create real impact. Applications are open through October 31, 2024 to start service in January 2025 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Help us expand our reach and uplift neighbors in western Pennsylvania. Apply today! https://bit.ly/3BqxdA5

On Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, we pause to reflect on themes of forgiveness, renewal, and community. At Hello Neighbor, these values resonate deeply as we work to support refugees and immigrants in building new lives with dignity and hope. Wishing all who observe a meaningful Yom Kippur and a year ahead filled with compassion and unity. #YomKippur #Compassion #InclusiveCommunities #RefugeesWelcome #HelloNeighbor #Leadership #Unity

Thank you WPXI-TV and Andrew Havranek for sitting down with our founder and CEO, Sloane Davidson to share more about expansion of services in Washington County! We are thrilled to be able join the many organizations supporting the members of the Charleroi community and fill the maternal needs gap. https://bit.ly/3U0eDFd

We are proud to share that in the past year, Hello Neighbor has welcomed 409 new neighbors to Pittsburgh, bringing our total to 758 over the last three years! This achievement wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering support of our community, helping refugees transition from arrival to belonging. On September 30th, President Biden set the FY 2025 refugee admissions ceiling at 125,000. In FY 2024, the U.S. resettled 100,000 refugees, marking the largest number in over 30 years. Amid record levels of global displacement, resettlement is critical to offering a better future for the world’s most vulnerable individuals. Read more about our work resettling refugees, how you can get involved and more about the refugee admissions on our blog! https://lnkd.in/ewJDZtui

It’s time to stop letting immigrants — whether from Haiti, Afghanistan, Ukraine or elsewhere — become pawns in a political game. The polarizing rhetoric doesn’t just harm immigrants — it hurts all of us. It pits neighbor against neighbor, stokes fear and distracts us from addressing the real challenges facing our communities, like economic inequality, affordable housing and job creation.

“As we navigate the challenges of a polarized political climate, we must not forget the real impact immigrants and refugees have on our communities. In Pittsburgh and beyond, they are revitalizing neighborhoods, creating businesses, and contributing to our economy in meaningful ways. The divisive rhetoric around immigration hurts all of us — not just newcomers. We can’t afford to pit neighbor against neighbor when the solution to many of our challenges lies in embracing diversity and inclusion. At Hello Neighbor, we are committed to building strong, welcoming communities where everyone can thrive.” Read the full OpEd, written by Hello Neighbor's Founder and CEO, Sloane Davidson, published by the Tribune-Review. Read more (link below). Please like, comment, and share! #ImmigrantsWelcome #InclusiveCommunities #RefugeesWelcome #Leadership #EconomicGrowth #StrongerTogether #CommunityResilience #HelloNeighbor https://bit.ly/4eWUsjw

For Hispanic Heritage Month, we are highlighting some of our Hello Neighbor staff that are of Hispanic Heritage! Nadia is from Peru, and she is our Keystone/Wellness Coordinator! "This is my first time participating in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage, and I am really glad it exists, especially now that immigration is such a frequently discussed topic. We can all learn about the contributions of the Hispanic community to the US, both historically and in the present day. To me, Hispanic Heritage represents the resilience of a community that faces challenges while striving for a better future, all while remaining positive and spreading love." WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF PERU? "One of my favorite memories from my time in Peru is the lovely "sobremesa". There is no exact word in English for this; it describes "the time you share with family and friends after a meal." This memory not only brings back the flavors of the delicious Peruvian food, but also reminds me of the wonderful conversations we had after eating: honest, funny, and filled with joy." FAVORITE THING ABOUT WORKING AT HELLO NEIGHBOR? "First, working with people from other countries and realizing that we all want to help each other. Second, I can talk to a lot of people in Spanish!"

Exciting news!?? Hello Neighbor is honored to partner with the International Rescue Committee & Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) on an exciting new pilot program called the "Coalition of Welcoming." In total, the 10 participating organizations, who are also members of the Hello Neighbor Network, welcomed 110 new arrivals by September 30, 2024. This pilot directly assists the State department in getting as close to reaching the Biden administration’s 2024 Presidential Determination of 125,000 refugee arrivals. CIANA - Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans – Astoria, NY Estrella del Paso (formerly Diocesan Migrant & Refugee Services, Inc.)– El Paso, TX Greater Gainesville International Center – Gainesville, FL HANDS ON GLOBAL INC – Helena, MT HOLA Lakeway – Morristown, TN KAREN SOCIETY OF NEBRASKA INC – Omaha, NE Mozaic – Sterling, VA Noor Islamic and Cultural Community Center – Concord, CA REGIONAL CENTER FOR BORDER HEALTH, INC MOBILE UNIT – Somerton, AZ Valley Neighbors – Kalispell, MT For more information including partnership opportunities, please visit: https://lnkd.in/ee9xY4SV