Elevating Migrant Leadership: Building Inclusive Futures

Chicago, Illinois

Alianza Americas’ mission is to create an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable way of life for migrant communities living in the United States and across the Americas. They are committed to empowering community leaders, government agencies, labor organizers, and faith-based communities, to work transnationally to provide a more dignified and just way of life for all people living in the Americas.

Their program, Instituto de Liderazgo, is providing training and opportunities for Latin American and Caribbean immigrants leading community-based organizations to become more civically engaged at different levels of society.  

“Leadership development is critical to our mission and vision of creating a more equitable and sustainable world for Latin American and Caribbean immigrants.  We are thrilled to partner with WES to continue empowering and elevating immigrant voices, recognizing it as a key driver of transformative change in our communities.”

– Dulce Guzman, Executive Director

New Haven, Connecticut

Havenly’s mission is to build the community power of women seeking refuge from colonized or occupied lands. They provide job training, education, and organizing opportunities at their café and community center in New Haven, Connecticut. Havenly’s vision is to build a community of refugee and immigrant women leaders that can transform their future and the future of their communities for the better, thriving in a more just future of their own creation.

Havenly will bolster their six-month training program, English language and civic education resources, and organizing opportunities for refugee women at their café and community center. 

“Havenly is thrilled to partner with the WES Mariam Assefa Fund to deepen our work elevating the visions and dreams of refugee and immigrant women in Connecticut and beyond. With funding dedicated to leadership development and civic participation, we will have a unique opportunity to invest in creating social change for the long-term.”

– Caterina Passoni, Executive Director   

Jackson, Mississippi

The Immigrants Alliance for Justice and Equity (IAJE) invests in building the capacity of working-class Latinx and Indigenous immigrant communities in Mississippi through economic empowerment and social justice advocacy. IAJE’s vision is to create racially equitable, environmentally sustainable, economically just, culturally appropriate, and just policies to transform the lives of Mississippi’s working-class Latinx and Indigenous immigrant communities.

Their initiative, Nuestro Mississippi, brings together community leaders, artists, business owners, and organizational members to engage in arts and civic engagement initiatives that disrupt the dominant narratives about immigrants. 

“Empowering migrant leadership is not just about inclusion; it’s about harnessing the unique strengths and perspectives that drive innovation and resilience. This partnership will amplify voices that have long been unheard, fostering a future where every community thrives through shared leadership and collective impact.”

– Lauren Lewis, Operations and Grounding Support 

Indianapolis, Indiana

The Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance (IUYA) is a youth-led organization committed to empowering undocumented youth to achieve high levels of education, influence public policy, and overall improve the quality of life of undocumented communities in the state of Indiana.

IUYA’S mentorship program is created by and for youth who are undocumented or have families who are undocumented, empowering newcomers through community building and support services. 

“As a grassroots organization, we are often left behind from the national immigrant rights conversation. Through this partnership, we can connect with organizations nationwide to learn what strategies and outreach tactics have worked to address the continuous criminalization of our community, and fight for immigrant rights in Indiana like driver’s licenses, instate tuition, respect and dignity for all.” 

– Mari Luna, Executive Director 

Riverside, California

The Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective (IEIYC) creates a safe space for immigrant youth in the region where they can express themselves and achieve their full potential, regardless of their status or any identity that intersects with being undocumented. The IEIYC’s mission is to engage youth around equal access to higher education, professional development, and advocacy for immigrant justice in our communities.

The IEIYC is running a fellowship program for low-income, first-generation undocumented youth to build skills and explore professions in the local social justice field.  

“Through this new partnership, we are increasing hands-on, professional development opportunities for immigrant youth to become civically engaged, build robust peer support networks, and spearhead local campaigns that advance immigrant well-being. The Immigrant Youth Fellowship will allow youth to develop their leadership by gaining new skills in advocacy, learning how to navigate the workforce as an immigrant youth, and engaging in meaningful work. Together, we are building power with the next generation of leaders to drive policy changes that prioritize the needs of immigrant communities, so that all Inland Empire families can thrive.” 

– Marlene Chavez, Storyteller 

Macon, Georgia

Lubunga Pan African House for Community Services (LUPAHCS) provides capacity building and empowerment through formal and informal education, advocacy, and cultural orientation to Congolese migrants and refugee-led organizations. 

LUPAHCS will use the Elevating Migrant Leadership funding to bolster their current efforts in technical and vocational training programs, social service awareness, and community support to promote civic awareness and engagement. 

“When we elevate migrant leadership, we not only empower individuals, but we also uplift entire communities and create lasting change. Migrant leaders bring unique perspectives that can reshape industries, policies, and communities, fostering a world where diversity drives progress.”

– Watema Emmanuel, Chief Financial Officer 

San Diego, California

Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA) works at the intersection of Black, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian immigrant and refugee communities impacted by racial and ethnic profiling, religious discrimination and Islamophobia, increased government surveillance and law enforcement harassment, and barriers to healthy housing and family-sustaining jobs.  

PANA will bolster its organizing, policy, and civic engagement programs that engage thousands of the San Diego region’s refugees and immigrants through voter education campaigns, direct support, and legal services.  

“In 2023, our community purchased 2.2 acres of land in San Diego’s historic refugee community, the future home of our Refugee & Immigrant Cultural Hub. Working in partnership with our community members, we’re creating affordable housing and civic spaces that keep our families and communities rooted, act in their power, and in control of their future. This community-owned and stewarded project will enable us to continue to deepen our organizing and leadership development, pilot exciting policy reforms at the regional level, scale our policy work to have an impact at the state and national level, and most importantly, continue to respond to and learn from the ongoing needs of our diverse communities.”

– Rahmo Abdi, Director of Organizing and Campaigns 

Des Moines, Iowa

Refugee & Immigrant Voices in Action (RIVA) advances the lives of immigrants and refugees through collaborative action, advocacy and leadership development. RIVA envisions an Iowa where immigrants and refugees are seen and respected as the primary actors in their communities and have the resources and expertise they need to support their peers in living healthy, productive, and meaningful lives.

RIVA works with immigrants, refugees, and migrants in Iowa to increase immediate access to services, support systems change by advancing the leadership of immigrant advocates, strengthen community-led organizations, and build relationships of trust and solidarity.  

“Through our partnership with WES, RIVA will be able to cultivate more leaders, who in turn will help their communities access essential services, build the skills they need to navigate complicated systems, and pursue flourishing, meaningful lives with their loved ones. As refugees and immigrants ourselves, we know our communities best and are the best positioned to empower one another’s success. By supporting and elevating one another and pooling our knowledge and resources, we can achieve our dreams for ourselves and our families—contributing to the well-being of everyone in our state and our country.”

– Henny Ohr, Executive Director, RIVA  

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Welcoming Center works to open doors of economic opportunity for immigrants of all education and skill levels and build immigrants’ individual and collective agency to address barriers to integration and wellbeing. The Welcoming Center collaborates with its participants, a broad spectrum of organizations, and public and private sector institutions to advance learning, shape policy, and grow the economy. 

The Convocatoria is an advancement of The Welcoming Center’s Immigrant Leadership Institute, designed to foster dialogue and enhance civic engagement of participants from all over the world regarding the challenges affecting immigrant communities.  

“Participating in The Welcoming Center taught me that I am not less intelligent for not knowing a language well, but that I am very capable of still being the person I was in my country with the same and better capabilities to achieve whatever I set my mind to do.”  

– Nicole Kruger, from Chile and graduate of the Immigrant Leadership Institute Cohort 13  

Chicago, Illinois

We Are All America is a nationwide campaign dedicated to supporting immigrants, refugees, and migrants, with a particular emphasis on marginalized racial, ethnic, and religious communities, particularly Black, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, South Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities. The organization works to uphold and strengthen our nation’s commitment to welcome and protect those seeking freedom, safety, and refuge in the United States.  

We Are All America is leading a national movement driven by refugees and immigrants, advocating for more welcoming policies and practices at both federal and state levels through mobilizing public support, countering nativist forces, and establishing organizing infrastructures. 

“Through this partnership, we are deepening our commitment to expanding our training programs, workshops, and resources, ensuring more immigrants and refugees can benefit from our leadership pipeline model. By effectively amplifying the voices of those with lived experiences, we are driving transformative change in our communities, both locally and nationally. Together, we are shaping a future where immigrant and refugee leaders play a pivotal role in creating an inclusive and equitable America.”

– Fatima Saidi, Director, We Are All America