Welcomers
The Welcomers Stories
In the spring of 2019, I spent a month working with refugees in Leros, Greece. This came after years of volunteering with immigrants across New York City. During this time, I’ve been fortunate to meet amazing people who work at the heart of these communities to make a difference.
So I’m delighted to feature a new series called The Welcomers. These are the trailblazers creating new businesses, organizations, and opportunities that help refugees and immigrants build successful lives in this country. Their stories are important and inspiring.
What makes The Welcomers special? Well, in addition to helping others, they welcome the kind of change that shapes and supports our communities. They identify solutions where others may see problems, and they believe in ideas that strengthen human ties. I’m really excited to feature these community leaders here and I hope you’ll enjoy getting to know them.
Kitti Murray is the founder and CEO of @Refuge Coffee Co, in Clarkston, Ga.
Known as the most diverse square mile in America, Clarkston is home to refugees representing over 45 countries and speaking some 60 languages. Local restaurants here serve everything from shawarma to samosas.
Kitti launched her business in 2015 with a desire to build community and support her refugee neighbors. Refuge Coffee offers on-the job training including living wage and full-time hours to local refugees.
Refugees here receive barista and hospitality training, but they also learn about work culture in this country. Through a teaching and mentoring program, Kitti helps them plan for the future.
Carmen Paulino is a Manhattan-based fiber artist, or yarn bomber, who uses her art to beautify and strengthen the community
In 2019, she launched a project called The Community Heart in which she invited people in community centers to make crochet squares that she then wove together into huge hearts, symbolizing diversity and unity. “What made it so welcoming,” says Carmen, “is that we had people who were immigrants and people who are American come together and create such beautiful art.” Together, they produced five hearts that she displayed across the city.
“Our mission is to Employ, Empower and Encourage”
Elizabeth founded Tandem Quilting in 2017 and works with refugee women who settled in and around her community of Clarkston, Ga. Members of Tandem’s team originate from countries such as Burma, Afghanistan and Syria. Together, they make beautiful custom quilts, baby quilts, woven wall hangings, quilted notecards, and more recently, facemasks.
