Felicia (NY, NY)

“My mom, who has unbelievable courage and power, constantly pushes me beyond mediocrity. She always asks, ‘If you don’t have an education, who will hire you?’ My mother has been a wonderful part of my life. Without her, I’d be broken.” – Felicia is a temporary resident at the New York Foundling Crisis Nursery. 

Each year, the New York Foundling serves over 27,000 children, youth and adults in need through efforts that strengthen families and communities and support each individual in reaching his or her potential. The organization’s Crisis Nursery, the only city-licensed emergency care facility of its kind, provides a safe and loving place for children to stay while parents respond to short-term crises that could otherwise turn into a disaster. Find how you can make a difference with the New York Foundling here.

Stephanie (Portland, Maine)

“I’m from Guinea, West Africa where a woman’s role is to be married after high school and serve her husband.  My grandmother always told me this is my future and if I kept fighting, I would be killed. I told her, ‘I’m already dead. I may be breathing, but this is no life to live if you can’t follow your dreams.’ If I were with my sisters in Guinea right now, I would tell them, ‘Never think your dreams are impossible. I don’t know what it will cost you, but be strong, be positive and know you can achieve anything.’” 

Stephanie is a resident at Hope House, Maine’s only dedicated residential program for asylum seekers. As immigrants work to transform their lives, they are provided educational, legal, social, and leadership-focused programs to increase their success in work and independent living. Learn how you can make a difference here.

Karen, CEO of Hope Acts (Portland, Maine)

“I worked with an immigrant from Congo, Africa and I apologized to him for everything that was going on during this very scary, political time. He grasped my hand and said, ‘I don’t care about what is going on in America or with the president. I believed in the American dream when I waited 12 years to get here while living in a refugee camp. I still believe in that dream, and nothing about your politics is going to change that.”

Hope House is Maine’s only dedicated residential program for asylum seekers. As they work to transform their lives, immigrants are provided educational, legal, social, and leadership-focused programs to increase their success in work and independent living. Learn how you can make a difference here.

Armand, house manager at Hope House (Portland, Maine)

“When I see immigrants succeed, it gives me strength and encourages me to continue my work at Hope House, Maine’s only dedicated residential program for asylum seekers.  As the house manager for Hope House, it’s my responsibility to help immigrants adapt to their new life with the organization. It feels amazing to see immigrants grow, learn English and gain confidence. I love my job because I used to be in their position. Back in my country, I was a graphic designer, but when I came to America it was impossible for me to find a job because I didn’t know English well. Even though I am educated, people treated me as unintelligent. Thanks to Hope House, I have an apartment, speak English fluently, have a job and help so many others achieve their dreams.” 

Hope House is Maine’s only dedicated residential program for asylum seekers. As they work to transform their lives, immigrants are provided educational, legal, social, and leadership-focused programs to increase their success in work and independent living. Learn how you can make a difference here.

Felicia (NY, NY)

“I would rather be smart and educated than pretty and not know a thing.” – Felicia is a temporary resident of The New York Foundling Crisis Nursery.

Each year, the New York Foundling serves over 27,000 children, youth and adults in need through efforts that strengthen families and communities and support each individual in reaching his or her potential. The organization’s Crisis Nursery, the only city-licensed emergency care facility of its kind, provides a safe and loving place for children to stay while parents respond to short-term crises that could otherwise turn into a disaster. Find out how you can make a difference with The New York Foundling here. 

Karen, CEO of Hope Acts (Portland, Maine)

“I love what I do because the immigrants I work with at Hope Acts are so very worthy and grateful. They’re not just refugees or immigrants, they are really standup human beings who deserve to succeed. Their journey to America wasn’t easy, yet they still keep going. They’re intelligent,  courageous, and determined. I believe we’re (Hope House) making leaders and we’re going to place these leaders back into our community and they’ll give back tenfold.”

Hope House is Maine’s only dedicated residential program for asylum seekers. As they work to transform their lives, immigrants are provided educational, legal, social, and leadership-focused programs to increase their success in work and independent living. Learn how you can make a difference here.

 

Jeanne d’Arc (Portland, ME)

 “Living at Hope House is like living with my family, we share our lives together.  The support I receive here, I would’ve never had back in my country. If I wasn’t living at Hope House, I don’t know where I would be. Maybe the homeless shelter again? Life is unbelievably hard at the shelter.”

Hope House is Maine’s only dedicated residential program for asylum seekers. As they work to transform their lives, immigrants are provided educational, legal, social, and leadership-focused programs to increase their success in work and independent living. Learn how you can make a difference here.

Felicia is currently staying at the New York Foundling nursery (NY, NY)

“The New York Foundling provides kids the opportunity to redeem their happiness and to gain an education from teachers and mentors who push us past mediocrity. Mrs. Moore, a New York Foundling English teacher, gave me the encouragement and power to learn more and be a better writer. Now, I love English and want to be a teacher because education is very important.  We need to learn about powerful girls like Malala, who was shot because she insisted on going to school. To all the great, diverse females, we should be grateful that we don’t face challenges like Malala’s, but, it is still important we learn of her story.”

Each year, the New York Foundling serves over 27,000 children, youth and adults in need through efforts that strengthen families and communities and support each individual in reaching his or her potential. The organization’s Crisis Nursery, the only city-licensed emergency care facility of its kind, provides a safe and loving place for children to stay while parents respond to short-term crises that could otherwise turn into a disaster. Find how you can make a difference with the New York Foundling here.

Joshawn, a social worker at the New York Foundling (NY, NY)

“My goal for all the families is to help them keep their families together and enable the parents to provide for their kids independently. I’ve always wanted to be a social worker because I grew up watching my grandmother take in so many kids in need – whether they were family or not. The house was always full of children who quickly formed a strong bond with my grandmother because she genuinely cared for them. And you can tell when love is real or not, she truly loved those kids.  I am the woman I am today because of her.”

Each year, the New York Foundling serves over 27,000 children, youth and adults in need through efforts that strengthen families and communities and support each individual in reaching his or her potential. The organization’s Crisis Nursery, the only city-licensed emergency care facility of its kind, provides a safe and loving place for children to stay while parents respond to short-term crises that could otherwise turn into a disaster. Find how you can make a difference with the New York Foundling here.

Stephanie (Portland, ME)

“In Guinea, West Africa, women are expected to be wives without a college education. Your place is to cook and take care of your husband. I wanted more than this role. My dream is to go to school, have a career and to live life on my own terms. I finally left Guinea a year ago and now live at Hope House, Portland ME. When I first arrived at the house, Carolyn the Program Coordinator, sat down with me and asked what my goals were and created a plan for me to achieve them. I was speechless! No one has ever asked me that question. It’s a relief to know I’m not taking this road alone. I am so proud of myself because I know, with Hope House, I will accomplish all I dream of.  I’m more excited than ever to be in a classroom and study.”

Hope House is Maine’s only dedicated residential program for asylum seekers. As they work to transform their lives, immigrants are provided educational, legal, social and leadership-focused programs to increase their success in work and independent living. Learn how you can make a difference here.