HMI in Community: Representing Our Mission Locally and Globally
This month, HMI had the privilege of standing in two powerful spaces, one on an international stage in Athens, and one here in California, both united by a shared purpose: uplifting refugee communities through education, wellness, and opportunity.
From global conversations on peacebuilding to local discussions on academic success for newcomer youth, HMI showed up as both a listener and a leader. Our staff carried forward the heart of our mission: creating pathways to dignity, belonging, and hope for families navigating displacement.
Rotary ICC Peace Conference – Athens, Greece
HMI was honored to be represented in Athens, Greece, where our director, Dr. Selin Nielsen, spoke at the Rotary ICC Peace Conference. Here is her firsthand reflection on the themes, discussions, and impact of the gathering.
“Last week, I had the honor of representing HMI at the Rotary International Inter-Country Committees Regional Conference in Athens, a convening centered on Peace and Public Image. In a city where ancient history and present-day life meet, the theme of peace felt especially alive and deeply relevant to our work.
I spoke about HMI’s education initiatives for Syrian children in agricultural refugee settlements in Torbalı, Türkiye. Our conversation focused on positive peace, not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of opportunity, fairness, and hope. For children who spend their days working in fields and living in tent settlements, even a simple lesson on a blanket can open new possibilities. With volunteer teachers, donated materials, and outdoor classrooms, these early efforts are creating pathways to stability, confidence, and connection.
I also shared stories from our Girls Back to School program with Turkey Volunteers, where young women, once forced to leave school due to early marriage, long work shifts, or family pressures, are now graduating from university with degrees in fields like business, nursing, and computer science. Their journeys remind us that when girls learn, communities transform.
Leaving Athens, I carried a renewed sense of responsibility and gratitude. Peace grows in classrooms, in fields, and in the choices we make to invest in someone’s future, whether in Torbalı or Riverside.”
Support this work: hmir.org/donate
More about the conference: rotaryathensummit2025.com
Pathways to Success Conference – UC Davis
Our Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI) and Ukrainian Newcomer Support Program (UNSP) teams represented HMI at the Pathways to Success, Advancing Academic Performance, and Successful Integration of Refugees Conference, hosted by the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Health (CIRH) at UC Davis.
This was CIRH’s second annual gathering, building on the momentum of last year’s “Inclusive Education” event. The conference brought together educators, practitioners, community leaders, and researchers to focus on the wellbeing and academic success of Afghan and Ukrainian refugee students in California.
The sessions centered on:
Assessing the current situation of refugee school-aged children and their academic progress
Exploring new strategies to support mental health and resilience
Improving wellness approaches for students and families
Identifying innovative ways to make educational programs more inclusive and accessible
Our team highlighted HMI’s achievements and community reach of the Afghan Refugee School Impact (ARSI) program, the Afghan Newcomer Support Program (ANSP), and the Ukrainian Newcomer Support Program, along with the partners who help make these efforts possible.
This conference was a powerful reminder that community support, trauma-informed education, and culturally responsive programs are essential to helping newcomer youth build confidence and succeed in their new environments.
These two conferences, different in scale but deeply aligned in spirit, reminded us that the work of supporting refugees happens everywhere, in fields and classrooms, in policy rooms and community centers, across continents and right here at home. Together, they reflect the breadth of HMI’s impact and the commitment of our team to represent our community with compassion, expertise, and vision.
