Welcome to Mozaic’s November Newsletter!
As the leaves turned and we embraced the cozy days of fall, Mozaic was bustling with enriching activities and meaningful events. From professional development workshops to heartfelt community gatherings, November was a month of growth, connection, and support. Here’s a recap of what we accomplished together:
Professional Career Development Workshop
On November 3rd, we launched our much-anticipated Professional Career Development Workshop in partnership with ChinUp. Participants learned vital job search skills, including résumé building, interview preparation, and networking strategies. This program empowers refugees and asylum seekers to confidently navigate their professional journeys in the U.S.
Participants came from all over the DMV area, with some spending two hours on public transportation to take advantage of these free workshops. Kudos to the participants for their dedication and commitment!
Thank you to our professional career coach, Nidal Khaznadar, from ChinUp for the invaluable insights, empowering attendees to take confident steps toward their career goals. There are three more sessions in December and another session in January. We can’t wait to learn more alongside our participants.
Culinary Training in Progress
Mozaic Kitchen is pleased to be training a newly arrived refugee, who has prior experience in food preparation, to build a sustainable future. Falafel, Hummus, and more are the main themes of food our chef will be serving soon.
Giving Tuesday Mozaic Campaign Launch – Seeds of Resilience
Beginning of November, Mozaic launched the ‘Seeds of Resilience’ campaign to support our culinary training program for newly arrived refugees. Supporting this program will provide refugees with a chance of training and build an independent career.
You can support this efforts here
IMF Giving Campaign Launch
We are thrilled to have been invited to the launch of the IMF Giving Campaign on November 7.
The campaign kicked off with an event that saw generous contributions and enthusiastic participation. Mozaic was honored to have been able to present to IMF staff and leadership about our work, and shared savory and sweet delights made by refugee chefs trained by the Mozaic Kitchen program.
Donate to the Mozaic Kitchen here
Transport Orientation for New Families
Welcoming new families is at the heart of Mozaic’s mission. We are grateful to one of our volunteers for helping our recently arrived refugee family of six navigate and learn to be independent by using the public transportation system. They learnt to check for public transport routes, schedules and more! These practical tips, and personalized assistance to help families feel at home in their new surroundings. They also helped arrange for him to sit for his knowledge test for his Driver’s Learner’s Permit.
If you are keen to volunteer to support the refugee community, sign up here
GWU The Black Atlantic Class
We were honored to have been invited by George Washington University’s The Black Atlantic Class to share about the work that we do.
This engaging course explored the rich cultural and historical connections across the Atlantic, fostering a deeper understanding of Black heritage and its global impact. The session emphasized the importance of community building and shared stories of resilience and hope.
Welcome Lunch
Our Welcome Lunch was a delightful gathering where newly arrived refugee women were introduced to the Mozaic community. These wonderful ladies brought delicious food which they lovingly cooked and broke bread over warm conversations, and newly-formed friendships.
The ladies were also treated to a free shopping event, where they picked out the clothes that they liked for free. It was a delight to see them heading home with bags of clothes (many were new pieces with tags) and a bag full of hygiene items donated by generous donors.
It was wonderful to see so many new faces and to celebrate the diversity that makes Mozaic so special. Food has a unique power to break barriers, bringing people together across cultures and differences to share stories, traditions, and understanding around the table.
To support the Mozaic Kitchen Program – Seeds of Resilience, click here.
Sewing Class
Creativity thrived in our Sewing Class this November! Participants learned essential sewing techniques, from basic stitches to more advanced projects. The class not only provided a fun and relaxing environment but also equipped members with valuable skills they can use in their daily lives. We can’t wait to see the amazing creations that come out of this talented group.
Donate to support Mozaic’s Sewing Studio today
ESOL Class
Language is a bridge to opportunity, and our ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Class played a crucial role in empowering our refugees. The class focused on improving conversational English, reading, and writing skills, helping participants gain confidence and better integrate into the community. We are very grateful to our dedicated instructors and enthusiastic students!
Visit by Kids In Need of Defense (KIND)
This month, Mozaic had the honor of hosting staff from Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) for a meaningful visit to our center. The meeting provided an invaluable opportunity to exchange ideas and explore potential avenues for collaboration. Together, we discussed strategies to better serve vulnerable communities, particularly children and families in need of legal and social support. The conversation highlighted shared goals of empowerment, advocacy, and holistic care. We look forward to building on this dialogue to create impactful programs and partnerships that address critical needs and strengthen our collective mission.
Supporting Another New Family
We recently assisted a newly arrived family in furnishing their home, demonstrating our commitment to empowering refugees by hiring them to help furnish homes for other refugees. Our dedicated movers follow a detailed roadmap: collecting furniture donations, picking up items from Mozaic storage, and delivering, installing, and organizing them in the new apartment. Providing a warm, welcoming space for a new family is the first step in offering vital mental and emotional support.
Thank you to the generous donors and committed volunteers for giving this family a warm welcome.
Donate here to support our cause
