After four years of delay, “Abdi” (left) finally received his Green Card. Pictured with his ReWA attorney, Oksana Bilobran. “Congratulations on receiving your Green Card!” “Abdi” had waited four years to hear these words, anxiously checking his mail box and repeatedly meeting with his ReWA immigration attorney, Oksana. Abdi and his family arrived from Somalia as refugees in 2014 and…
Last month, ReWA’s Kent classroom was host to a dozen students proudly displaying their diploma in Child Care Basics, the first step in a career in early childhood education. Florence held her diploma and smiled proudly. “I have 40 years of experience teaching, but without credentials it was difficult to get a job.” ReWA program coordinator, Sara Cooley said, “Our…
Seven years ago, Seng and Brang came to the United States as refugees from Myanmar. Brang found a minimum-wage job in manufacturing while Seng stayed home with their children. But despite their hard work, they were nearing financial collapse. Rent consumed 70% of their income and an auto loan and credit card payments had this young family careening towards…
Huong Nguyen is an ESL volunteer with some deep roots with ReWA. Her mother was Emmanuelle Chi Dang, and you may recognize her portrait from the ReWA lobby. “My mother was an English teacher in Vietnam. She was a very active person, so after she resettled in Seattle, she had a vision to help Vietnamese refugees. Many of them had…
ReWA’s Citizenship Clinic in Lake City last month was packed to capacity and served 43 people from 22 countries. Our Citizenship Program staff members, Oksana Bilobran, Annie Henderson, and Yennhi Le, as well as volunteers and staff from our clinic partner, International Rescue Committee, completed at least 23 naturalization applications. Under the Trump Administration the backlog of citizenship applications processed…