Refugee and Immigrant Connections Spokane

Looking for a great way to unwind, take care of yourself, and beat the heat? Come join our Wellness team for a free yoga session* this Friday 7/19 at the Lotus: 3026 E 5th Ave Suite B, Spokane, WA 99202.

Contact our Wellness program coordinator Emily to signup or for more info! [email protected] or (509) 564-0055

Not free this Friday? We offer these classes every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month!

*These classes are open to women who have arrived to Spokane as refugees and immigrants.

Interested in supporting refugees and immigrants in
Spokane? Consider joining our board!
We are looking for people who are passionate about
supporting and empowering the refugee and immigrant community and have experience in these areas:
• Lived experience as a refugee or immigrant or experience working with refugees and immigrants
• Fundraising
• Technology
• Finance
• Business
• Law
• Outreach related to refugee/immigrant communities

If you are interested, please fill out the Refugee and
Immigrant Connections Spokane Board of Directors
Application: https://form.jotform.com/232987360807163

To learn more about Refugee and Immigrant Connections
Spokane (RICS), visit our website:
https://www.ricspokane.org/

*Growing Together in Spokane!* 🇦🇫🌱🇺🇸

Last Tuesday, our Refugee Elders program joined our partners at for a day of cultural connection and urban agriculture!

These Afghan community members, accustomed to working vast fields, found a new home in Northwest Spokane’s urban farm. They shared their knowledge while learning healthy food practices in a new environment.

After a productive gardening session, our participants and staff enjoyed a delicious dinner hosted by the Shadle Park Presbyterian Church team. 🍽️

We’re committed to fostering strong community bonds and creating a welcoming space for refugees and immigrants across Spokane!

Today is World Refugee Day. Last week, Refugee and Immigrant Connections Spokane, with the help of many wonderful partner organizations and sponsors, organized our annual World Refugee Day event dedicated to honoring our refugee neighbors here in Spokane. Despite the unpredictable wind, rain, and hail, we were able to celebrate the refugee community through a naturalization ceremony, proclamation from Mayor Lisa Brown, amazing food provided by Feast World Kitchen, and wonderful arts and crafts activities led by our community artists and business owners. Thank you to for supporting our flower crown making vendors! Our diverse community is what makes Spokane great!

Looking for summer activities? Come join our wellness team for free Yoga sessions every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month! It’s a great way to unwind and take care of yourself! Open to women arriving as refugee and immigrants. Contact our wellness coordinator Emily to signup or more infos! [email protected] or (509) 564-0055

This is your friendly reminder that our annual World Refugee Day celebration is this Saturday at Nevada Playfield! We want to give a big thanks to KHQ Local News for providing coverage of our event! See you there‼️

Our annual world refugee day celebration is only 1 week away! We are incredibly thankful for our amazing sponsors to make this event possible!
Thank you to: Better Health Together Inatai Foundation Northwest Harvest Community Health Plan of Washington Expo 74 Manzanita House Thrive International World Relief Spokane CHAS Health Empire Health Foundation Unify Community Health Mission Avenue

Special shoutout to KHQ Local News for promoting this event!

We are thrilled to announce that this year’s celebration will take place on June 15th‼️We are deeply grateful to all the organizations collaborating with us to ensure this year’s event is unforgettable. We are still looking for volunteers to help ensure the smooth running of our event. Your assistance is crucial to making our celebration a success! Signup link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo-OYyIWRCVebwjXRuyQMrJO863LdN2RJZa_twVWoOZmxWCg/viewform

World Refugee Day is just around the corner, and this year's celebration is approaching quickly! To honor this important occasion, we are seeking a substantial number of volunteers. Your support and involvement are essential to ensure that our event runs smoothly and effectively. Join us in commemorating this special day and making a positive impact on our refugee and immigrant neighbors.

Volunteer sign-up form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeo-OYyIWRCVebwjXRuyQMrJO863LdN2RJZa_twVWoOZmxWCg/viewform

A special shoutout to Wanderlust Spirits who created the yummy drinks menu for our special evening Mothers Across Cultures fundraiser.

We want to extend our gratitude to the Empire Health Foundation for generously providing the beautiful space for our Mothers Across Cultures Fundraiser. They have supported our work wholeheartedly and we are grateful for their partnership in creating opportunities for refugees and immigrants to call Spokane home.
The big day is tomorrow, so you have one more day to get a ticket and come celebrate with us!

Mothers Across Cultures A celebration of motherhood as experienced by families from the many cultures in our community, benefitting the work of RICS.

Our Mothers Across Cultures Fundraiser is 2 days away. You still have time to grab a ticket. Tickets will not be available at door!

We want to thank the businesses that support us by donating items/services to the silent auction, to make this event exciting!

One more raffle prize that you can win if you come to the Mothers Across Cultures Fundraiser evening this Friday evening.
This hammock was donated by our Board Chair Luisa Orellana. It is a very special item, handmade by a villager in El Salvador and purchased by Transitó Orellana while she went on her missions there.

A beautiful basket created for you to win at the silent auction by Refugee Bath Co. They craft awesome bath bombs that can be shipped anywhere - https://www.refugeebathcompany.com/

You can still get your tickets for our Mothers Across Cultures if you had over to the event page.

Flourish Botanicals donated this gorgeous basket with eco luxury vegan hair care and skincare products for the silent auction.
Two days until the event - did you get your ticket?

Here are the exciting raffle prizes you'd get a chance to win if you come to the Mothers Across Cultures Fundraiser this Friday. Do not delay buying your tickets!

Our board member Bipasha Biswas donated a 5 course Indian Dinner for 6.

Here are the exciting raffle prizes you'd get a chance to win if you come to the Mothers Across Cultures Fundraiser this Friday.
Our board member Victorya Rouse donated an autographed, library binding copy of her book with a wooden book stand and reading light.
Also a framed pencil and ink drawing of a family by a student, with a hand written copy of their story (24 x 36 inches).

Let us introduce you to the amazing Sweetworldcakes and Blue Bug Bakery who are providing the yummy desserts for our Fundraiser Mothers Across Cultures.
Did you get your tickets?

This gorgeous painting by the Ukrainian artist Elizabeth Shchukina can be yours if you participate in the silent auction during our Mother's Across Cultures Fundraiser event.
You have only 3 days left to buy a ticket, so head over to our event page right now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mothers-across-cultures-tickets-872163834507?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Another silent auction item - a wonderful basket, created by our Board member, Stoja Hercegovka, full of Bath and Body Works products to add some scent in your self-care routine. It would be an amazing Mother's Day gift, so hurry up and buy your event tickets at the event link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mothers-across-cultures-tickets-872163834507?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

Emran Restaurant is our dinner host for the Mothers Across Cultures Fundraiser. Go check them out to see the delicious food you will be treated to while celebrating motherhood with us on May 10th.
Our Board member Sousan Rasuli and her family carefully selected all the special items in this basket for the silent auction, sourced by Emran Restaurant and Market. You can see what else they offer at their location 1817 N Division St, Spokane.

6 days left to the Mothers Across Cultures Fundraiser.
We want to thank Elz Tastes & Tea Market for their generous donation of selected teas, a gift certificate and a coupon to make for a great tea basket for the silent auction. And to make it a complete package, our Board member Aruna Bhuta donated two sets of vintage and rare tea cups with saucers. You don't want to miss this opportunity to win this tea basket - it would be a wonderful present to any tea lover.

Our Mothers Across Cultures Fundraiser event is a week away. You still have time to grab a ticket.

We want to thank the businesses that support us by donating items/services to the silent auction, to make this event exciting!

Lisa Modrell Photography has kindly offered a photography package of your choice. Lisa has a gift to tell stories about love and connection with her photography. Thank you Lisa Modrell Photography for your support of our mission to support and empower refugee and immigrant communities by providing services, fostering community bonds, and advocating for refugee and immigrant rights​ in the Inland Northwest

Our first community volunteer training session yesterday in partnership with Manzanita House and International Rescue Committee was a huge success. The training’s central focus was “walking alongside as a volunteer.”

Shout out to our Refugee and Immigrant Wellness team who presented on a trauma-informed approach to our work. Stay tuned for developments, and we hope to see you at an upcoming training!

Mothers Across Cultures https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mothers-across-cultures-tickets-872163834507

Mothers Across Cultures event tickets are selling fast. Get yours today! Tickets start at $25 for a delicious international meal including catering from Emran Restaurant, a photography exhibit and performances celebrating motherhood in Spokane, and some incredible silent auction and raffle prizes you won't want to miss!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mothers-across-cultures-tickets-872163834507

Join us as we gear up for World Refugee Day! Don't miss out on the opportunity to grab your exclusive World Refugee Day tee shirt before the event on June 15th! These shirts won't be available for purchase at the celebration, so secure yours now. Plus, by purchasing one, you're not only showing your support but also contributing to the incredible community members who are tirelessly working to make this event unforgettable. Every tee shirt sold helps us in our mission to uplift and empower refugees worldwide. Get yours today and wear it with pride, knowing you're making a difference!

Get your T shirts here: https://www.bonfire.com/world-refugee-day-2024-exclusive-tee/?utm_source=copy_link&utm_medium=campaign_page&utm_campaign=world-refugee-day-2024-exclusive-tee&utm_content=default

Join us for this special evening celebrating motherhood!
Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mothers-across-cultures-tickets-872163834507

What do artificial turf, fashion jewelry, and home maintenance products have in common?

More than you think! All of these products can contain toxic chemicals. Yikes.

The Washington State Department of Ecology is reducing toxic chemicals in the products you use through our Safer Products for Washington program.

Ecology starts by researching toxic chemicals and the products that have them. But there are millions of products out there! Take our quick survey to help us decide which products to research next.

The survey is linked below. Burmese, Tigrinya, Arabic, Persian, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Swahili are among the languages that are included. Thank you!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WASaferProducts

January recap: Kids Connect

The Kids Connect program kicked off the new year with a focus on well-being, personal growth, and healthy habits. Throughout the month, students engaged in various activities designed to promote physical activity, healthy eating, and the development of positive habits.

New Year Resolutions:
The program began with an exploration of New Year resolutions. Kids were encouraged to reflect on their goals and aspirations for the coming year. Through engaging discussions and creative exercises, they set personalized resolutions, fostering a sense of purpose and self-improvement.

Healthy Snack Sessions:
Nutrition took center stage as kids participated in sessions focused on healthy eating habits. The student ate nutritious snacks. The goal was to instill an understanding of the importance of making healthy food choices for overall well-being.

Stay Active, Stay Healthy:
Physical activity was a key component of the Kids Connect program. Through a variety of fun and energetic activities, students were encouraged to stay active. From fun games to sports activities, the program aimed to make exercise enjoyable while emphasizing the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle.