Elena's Light

Three weeks away! 🧑⚖️📑 We are excited to host our fourth "Know Your Rights" presentation, focusing on the legal rights of asylum seekers in Connecticut. This presentation is designed to empower asylum seekers with essential knowledge about their rights, providing clarity in navigating complex legal systems. Access to accurate legal information is vital for protecting individual rights, particularly for vulnerable populations facing significant legal and social challenges. We believe that education and awareness are key to ensuring fair treatment and fostering a supportive community. We invite legal professionals, advocates, and community members to join us and help spread the word. Your involvement can make a difference in the lives of those seeking protection. 🔖Tuesday, September 24th at 5 PM EDT 💻Zoom (Register for free through our Linktr.ee) For more information, contact us at: [email protected]. #AsylumSeekers #LegalAid #RefugeeSupport #ElenasLight #KnowYourRights #CTNonprofits #LegalRightsMatter

Elena’s Light invites you to our fourth "Know Your Rights" presentation. This event is designed to help asylum seekers in Connecticut gain a deeper understanding of their legal rights, with guidance from experienced local immigration lawyers and legal aid organizations. Sign up today. 🧐 📢 Why Attend? [] Gain clarity on your legal protections as an asylum seeker.  [] Receive free advice tailored to your unique situation. [] Interpretation services provided to ensure full participation. [] Date: Tuesday, September 24th, 5pm EDT [] Location: via Zoom Previous attendees have shared how this presentation made them feel more confident in figuring out how to better help their situation. Don’t miss this opportunity. Check out our previous #KYRPresentions here on our page, https://lnkd.in/ehFwJXKv For more details, contact us at [email protected]. #LegalRights #AsylumSeekers #CommunitySupport #CTNonprofits #KnowYourRights #Elena’sLight

Learn About Your Legal Rights as an Asylum Seeker- This September, Elena’s Light will host its fourth "Know Your Rights" presentation, focused on legal rights for asylum seekers in Connecticut. Local immigration lawyers and legal aid organizations will be there to offer free advice and support- making sure you understand your rights. 🔴 Save the Date When: Tuesday, September 24th Where: 5 pm EDT on Zoom Whether you’re new to the process or looking for more information, this event is here to support you. Interpretation services will be available to help everyone fully engage. Sign up and stay updated: [https://lnkd.in/eJmKQGDB] For more information, contact us at [email protected]. #AsylumSeekers #LegalAid #RefugeeSupport #Elena’sLight #KnowYourRights #CTNonprofits

"Fereshteh Ganjavi vividly recalls the moment her heart sank upon hearing the news that Herat and Kabul, Afghanistan, had fallen..." As part of #AdvocacyDays24, Elena's Light was privileged to co-host a press conference with We Are All America. Partners, @Maine Immigrant Rights Coalition, @USCRI Vermont, and CHIRLA also hosted events. We brought together forcibly displaced individuals, community leaders, and immigration advocates to underscore the critical need for the Afghan Adjustment Act and other policies aimed at strengthening the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and asylum system. We extend our gratitude to Lucy Gellman from the The Arts Council of Greater New Haven for her thoughtful coverage of this important work. You can read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eJTSrYwg. #AdvocacyWorks #WeAreAllAmerica #ProtectNewcomers #NewAmericansWelcome

🇦🇫Today marks three years since the fall of Kabul—a moment that changed countless lives forever. We think of the families torn apart, the women whose freedoms were stripped away, and those who still suffer under oppressive conditions. And we especially think of our Afghan Allies who risked everything to aid American forces and are now stuck in limbo in the U.S. In commemoration, We Are All America co-hosted 4 press conferences🎤 with @maineimmigrantrights @uscrivt @elenaslight1 and @chirla_org as part of #AdvocacyDays24. Forcibly displaced people, community leaders, and immigration advocates, came together to highlight the urgent need to pass the #AfghanAdjustmentAct, along with other policies that would strengthen the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and asylum system. Our grief drives us to fight for a future where safety, justice, and dignity are ensured for all. ✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

This week, hundreds of advocates across the country are meeting with their members of Congress in their home states and urging them to #ProtectNewcomers. We know that #AdvocacyWorks, and we are calling on Congress to strengthen protections for people seeking safety and to uphold our nation’s tradition of welcoming newcomers. As the anniversary of the fall of Kabul approaches, our team, alongside refugee and immigrant community leaders, will hold an event today in New Haven, CT which will feature directly impacted constituents sharing their personal stories to advocate for critical immigration policies. This gathering is part of We Are All America’s National Advocacy Days, where organizations nationwide are pushing for more inclusive and humane immigration policies. #AdvocacyDays24 #WeAreAllAmerica #NewAmericansWelcome @npnewamericans @RCUSA_DC @weareallamerica

We are happy to announce that Fereshteh Ganjavi has been named a finalist for the Impactful Woman Award by FOX61 and @unitedwayinc. The Impactful Woman Award celebrates female leaders whose mission is to uplift and empower other women, demonstrating true mentorship and dynamic energy. This year, Fereshteh is recognized alongside Ashleigh Backman of the Connecticut Bar Foundation and Jacqueline Ford from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families, Hartford Central Office. Lizzie (@itsmelizzieb) explained that these awards were established to honor individuals in the community who often go unrecognized despite their significant impact. This is the second year of hosting these awards, and we are incredibly proud of Fereshteh for her dedication and the ripples of change she creates in our community. We are also grateful for their commitment to highlighting the incredible work happening in Connecticut. We look forward to seeing @Keithmcgilvery for an interview soon! Check out the official announcement: https://lnkd.in/eG2qPFTK Help us continue Fereshteh’s work in empowering women in our community. Consider becoming a part of the mission today. #ImpactAward #EmpoweringWomen #CommunityLeaders #ElenasLight 📷 Lighting the Future: Award Ceremony 2024

We are excited to share that Elena’s Light participated in the 2024 North American Refugee Health Conference (NARHC) held in Minneapolis, MN from August 5 to 7, 2024. Our Health and Wellness Coordinator, Zaharaa Altwaij, presented a compelling poster on how our driver’s education program for refugee women enhances their social integration and access to healthcare. This innovative approach sparked interest among attendees who were eager to learn about the development and success of our curriculum. "NARHC was also a great opportunity to connect with various health care providers, social workers, and community organizers and learn some of their best practices," said Zaharaa. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our work and to learn from the inspiring community at NARHC. Together, we continue to make a difference every day. #NARHC2024 #RefugeeHealth #CommunityIntegration #ElenasLight

Imagine the power of driving for a refugee woman. At Elena's Light, our DMV Permit Course goes beyond driving lessons- it's a pathway to independence and new opportunities. This summer, was an inspiring journey for our Adult Learner Students in our bilingual Driving Education and Permit Testing Prep Course. These lessons, tailored to various educational backgrounds, build confidence and open doors to possibilities #Education is at the heart of Elena's Light. Your support allows us to offer these courses free of charge, fostering community growth and personal development. Be a part of this transformative journey. Your involvement helps sustain impactful programs like our DMV Permit Program, making a real difference in the lives of refugee and immigrant women and children. #ElenasLight #Driving #RefugeeSupport #ImmigrantSupport #Connecticut

Are you passionate about language #education and supporting refugee communities? Applications are open now [see our profile] 🎁. We are seeking dedicated individuals to join our team for the Fall semester. By joining us, you'll enhance your teaching and communication skills & engage with diverse cultures. Your work will have a meaningful impact, helping refugees and immigrants improve their English skills, confidence, & interpersonal skills to help them to achieve personal and professional success. Responsibilities include conducting engaging and interactive ESL lessons, providing constructive feedback, and collaborating with other tutors and program coordinators. Read the full application through the link on our profile and share with anyone who would be a perfect candidate. #Nonprofit #ESLTutor #VolunteerOpportunity #CulturalExchange #Education #RefugeeSupport