The Way Forward for International Neighbors

Dear Great Neighbor,

International Neighbors was founded on the following premise: that the United States of America has the capacity—as well as the obligation—to offer a preset number of human beings, forced violently from their country, the opportunity to reestablish their lives without fear and persecution, safely within our borders. Congress passed the Refugee Act of 1980, establishing the U.S. refugee resettlement program. This federal initiative has enriched communities throughout all 50 states over the decades, and is currently at risk of dissolution. This week’s Executive Order (EO) to pause or remove the Refugee Admissions Program (RAP) is disheartening, though not unexpected. Anxiety is high among the newcomers we serve. Grief too, since many newcomers are waiting to be reunited with family members—children, siblings, and parents—many of whom were already far along in the admissions program.

What, then, is the way forward for International Neighbors?
Our mission remains the same: equipping newcomers with the skills and networks needed to thrive in Charlottesville. All refugees in our community are green card holders and here legally after spending years in the vetting and admissions process. International Neighbors will continue to serve newcomers by connecting them to people and resources to help them become self-sufficient. As a grassroots organization with no government funding and not a resettlement agency, our daily operations will not change.  Just this week, a dozen women met for the first women’s support group cohort of 2025 at our IN office. Most of them have newly arrived in the United States. The women heard from a mental health counselor from The Women’s Initiative, took an art lesson led by an artist with the McGuffey Art Center, and were provided with tools to navigate their new country from our Outreach Manager, Khatool Masoudi.

The work continues. We are and will always be More than a Moment.
If you are feeling helpless and want to make a difference right here in Charlottesville, consider a financial donation to International Neighbors. Every dollar counts and we could not improve lives without you! Please also plan to attend a volunteer training (our next one is January 30th from 9-10:30 am on Zoom) and be connected directly to a neighbor in need. We need English tutors, volunteer drivers, and especially Great Neighbor Guides. A relationship with a newcomer family will enrich your life. All of us at International Neighbors take heart in the words of Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama who each understood the singular importance of refugees and other immigrant groups to this country:

This, I believe, is one of the most important sources of America’s greatness. We lead the world because, unique among nations, we draw our people—our strength—from every country and every corner of the world. And by doing so we continuously renew and enrich our nation.” – Ronald Reagan

“This country was built by people who fled oppression and war, leapt at opportunity, and worked day and night to remake themselves in this new land.” -Barack Obama

With Hope,

Kari Anderson Miller, Founder and CEO
Graham Crouch, Chair, Board of Directors