Q&A with Kevin Groman

?? Your Name: Kevin Groman

?? Role and organization: Executive Director, The Welcome To America Project

?? Where are you located? Tempe, Arizona

?? Overall, what is it like being a Member of the Hello Neighbor Network? Being a member of the Hello Neighbor Network is truly an honor. This consortium brings together dynamic leaders from across the country who are passionately dedicated to welcoming refugees. The network fosters a vibrant learning environment where members exchange innovative solutions and best practices. It provides a unique opportunity to connect with a diverse group of individuals and organizations, benefiting from shared resources and collective expertise. The collaborative spirit and mutual support within the network significantly enhance both personal and professional growth, making the experience deeply fulfilling and empowering.

?? Has being a part of the Network changed your perspective on your work? If so, in what ways did it change? There is a lot of misinformation about refugees, and the work we do can sometimes feel overwhelming and isolating, while simultaneously being incredibly impactful. So to engage with a diverse group of passionate leaders, with similar, but different experiences, has fostered a sense of community and broadened my understanding of the complexities involved in supporting refugees. Through this network, I’ve gained valuable insights into innovative practices and effective strategies, which have significantly improved my approach.

?? Please share a story about something valuable you've learned from the Network: I have greatly valued the Network's regular coffee hour discussions. The topics and the exchanges among attendees are something I eagerly anticipate. During one coffee hour, we had a discussion about the emotional toll and magnitude of the work that volunteers and staff regularly face. This led to a conversation about strategies to mitigate burnout. Several members shared valuable ideas, and one particular suggestion seemed especially timely for WTAP. I implemented that program a few hours later, to help support my team.

?? When thinking about the theme "Heart of Belonging", how would you describe the heart/spirit of your work? The heart of our work at the Welcome to America Project is rooted in cultural sensitivity, compassion, and a deep commitment to connection. We welcome newcomers with warm hearts, open minds, and helping hands, which embodies our brand promise that drives us. At our core, our mission is to embrace new friends and, through resources and services, we help connect Arizona refugees to a brighter future. This is evidenced by our Saturday Welcomes, Clothing Closets and Career Bridging efforts.

At the Welcome to America Project, we believe that everyone, no matter what challenges they’ve encountered, deserves a fresh start in a judgement-free safe place. We are dedicated to creating such a neutral sanctuary where each individual is embraced, respected and can move forward with dignity.

??How can people support your work?

1. Volunteer. Our volunteers at WTAP are our secret sauce. So please come out and volunteer with us, your smile can genuinely warm the hearts of our newcomer friends. And without a doubt your heart will be warmed too.

2. We have some of the most impressive individuals: doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, plumbers, hairdressers, pilots, truck drivers, mechanics, etc. who deserve the opportunity to get back closer to their careers of choice. So if you are an employer or want to be a mentor in connection with our career bridging effort, please reach out.

3. If you pay Arizona state taxes, you can benefit from a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributions up to $938. This financial support or any other financial support is crucial for our work and helps us continue providing essential services.

This is a series of interviews with members of the Hello Neighbor Network powered by Hello Neighbor which is a coalition of grassroots organizations working with refugees and immigrants in the U.S. that comes together to grow and inspire change.

This series was inspired by the work of Welcoming America as part of #WelcomingWeek2024 and an interview series by Suzanne Ehlers of USA for UNHCR.

The Hello Neighbor Network provides a variety of resources and learning opportunities for grassroots nonprofit leaders across the country, just like Kevin Groman.

To learn more about the Network and support the vital community building work it makes possible, please visit our Welcoming Week page to learn more about our campaign - “The Heart of Welcoming”.