Elena's Light

We’re thrilled to officially join the We Are All America (WAAA) team as the newest organizer in Connecticut! It’s an honor to collaborate with a community-driven initiative that brings hope and action to so many. #ElenasLight #WeAreAllAmerica #RefugeeSupport #OrganizingMakesChanges Fereshteh Ganjavi

We’re excited to highlight a special moment from the Wonderful Books and Blooms event at James Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford. 📚🌸 Our newest team member at Elena's Light, local author @Laura Noe, was invited to speak at this event, where she shared her experiences with attendees. Laura’s heartfelt discussion about her book and her journey, especially her travels with her son, deeply resonated with the audience. Her insights reflect the values we hold at Elena’s Light—the power of personal stories to foster understanding and growth. The event also featured the Branford Garden Club, whose stunning floral arrangements, inspired by local authors, beautifully merged literature and art. 🌷📖 While this event celebrated Laura’s achievements, we are thrilled to have someone of her caliber and vision as part of our team, strengthening our efforts to support refugee and immigrant women and families. #LocalAuthors #Community #NonProfitTeam #Storytelling

Navigating immigration issues can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. Join us tomorrow, September 24th, for an important Know Your Rights event, featuring esteemed immigration lawyers Ben Haldeman and Lauren Petersen, along with key legal aid organizations. This session will provide critical insights into your legal rights and connect you with the support you need to take the next step confidently. Whether you, a friend, or a colleague could benefit from understanding the complexities of immigration law, this is a great opportunity to gain expert guidance. 🔗 Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/eJmKQGDB Share with your network to spread the word! #AsylumSeekers #LegalAid #RefugeeSupport #ElenasLight #KnowYourRights #CTNonprofits Lauren Cundick Petersen Ben Haldeman

"Stereotypes are not just about what people think about someone else based on prejudices. They can lead to material policies and actual harm." The dangerous and racially charged falsehoods being spread by far-right groups are intended to dehumanize our Haitian brothers and sisters and incite fear for political gain. Unfortunately, this is not the first time politicians and the U.S. government have attempted to scapegoat the Haitian community to justify anti-Black immigration policies. In this clip from We Are All America's "Disproportionately Displaced" series, Dr. Marlene Daut, Professor of French and African Diaspora Studies at Yale University, and Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of the Haitian Bridge Alliance, discuss a dark episode in the history of the Haitian diaspora: when the CDC falsely declared that Haitians were carriers of AIDS. They reflect on the damaging lies spread in the 1970s about the Haitian community, the irreparable harm those lies caused, and how stereotypes can have long-lasting impacts against marginalized communities. You can listen to the full episode here: https://lnkd.in/g4n8-kgD

On September 12th, Elena’s Light gathered at Dwight Hall with partners to kick off another year of critical discussion and engagement for improving health services for refugee communities. Our goal is to ensure that care is accessible and culturally responsive for those adapting to new healthcare systems. PCORI’s approach emphasizes involving all stakeholders in every step of the process to create equitable changes and guide future improvements. Yale School of Medicine, Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, CRIW - The Collective for Refugee & Immigrant Women's Wellbeing, Dwight Hall At Yale, Jewish Family Services of Greenwich, Southern Connecticut State University, KIAN foundation, NeighborWorks New Horizons IRIS: Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services #PCORI #RefugeeHealth #CommunityPartners #HealthcareAccess #YearTwo

Meet the Experts 👩⚖️👨⚖️ Get expert guidance from local immigration lawyers like Ben Haldeman and Lauren Petersen, as they break down key legal rights and offer crucial support. Whether you’re seeking asylum, legal advice, or community support, this event is for you. 🗓️ September 24th Join us for this important conversation and empower yourself with knowledge. 🔗 Register: [https://lnkd.in/eJmKQGDB] #KnowYourRights #ImmigrationLaw #LegalAid #CTNonprofits #ProfessionalDevelopment

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: advocacy@elenaslight.com. #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 grants@elenaslight.org. #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 advocacy@elenaslight.com. #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