A New Beginning: Welcoming Our First Arriving Family
This past September marked a significant milestone for HMI as we proudly resettled our first family under our new role as a Reception and Placement Community Partner with Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM). The arrival of this family from Guatemala signals the beginning of an exciting chapter for refugee resettlement in Riverside County, one that expands our work to include families from Central and South America.
Sedef and Lindsey ready to welcome our first family at the airport.
Historically, HMI has focused on supporting refugees from the MENA region, particularly Afghanistan and Syria, as well as Sudanese and Ukrainian newcomers. Now, through our partnership with EMM, we’ve broadened our capacity to welcome families from across the globe. As the only organization located in Riverside County actively resettling refugees, we are deeply honored to play this vital role, helping families rebuild their lives and contributing to a more inclusive and diverse community.
This past September marked a significant milestone for HMI as we proudly resettled our first family under our new role as a Reception and Placement Community Partner with Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM). The arrival of this family from Guatemala signals the beginning of an exciting chapter for refugee resettlement in Riverside County, one that expands our work to include families from Central and South America.
Historically, HMI has focused on supporting refugees from the MENA region, particularly Afghanistan and Syria, as well as Sudanese and Ukrainian newcomers. Now, through our partnership with EMM, we’ve broadened our capacity to welcome families from across the globe. As the only organization located in Riverside County actively resettling refugees, we are deeply honored to play this vital role, helping families rebuild their lives and contributing to a more inclusive and diverse community.
Family's arrival at Ontario Airport with the Resettlement Team.
Preparing for these new arrivals required an incredible team effort. Led by Resettlement Director Sedef Altug, along with Case Managers, Lindsey Escamilla and Ahmad Zaki Ludin, our Resettlement Team, as well as all HMI staff members, underwent extensive training to ensure the highest standard of care. “We wanted to be as prepared as possible, from responsible service provision to understanding the complexities of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program,” said Lindsey. Weekly meetings with EMM guided us as we adapted our programs to meet the evolving needs of our new neighbors.
One of the most significant challenges was finding safe and affordable housing in California’s competitive rental market. “Securing homes for our families was our top priority, and we were fortunate to find landlords who believed in our mission,” Sedef shared. “We continue to educate stakeholders, like landlords and employers, about the benefits of working with refugee families.” This effort was made possible by the support of many generous individuals who worked tirelessly to ensure the family had a safe and welcoming place to call home. Our dedicated team, composed of compassionate individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, united with a shared mission: to welcome our new neighbors and help them rebuild their lives in Riverside. Together, we are creating a community that values inclusion, support, and kindness for all.
Housing was just the beginning. Our team worked tirelessly to gather all the essentials the family would need. “EMM provides a detailed list of necessities, from kitchenware to hygiene products,” Lindsey explained. “Coordinating donations took weeks, but the community came through.” Volunteers like Norette, and supporters like Marilyn from Inland Communities for Reconciliation, helped gather supplies, and local businesses such as Stater Brothers donated gift cards to cover essential items.
HMI Staff helping prep for our first resettlement case.
We are immensely grateful for the contributions made through our Amazon Wish List, but the need for donations remains as more families arrive. “Organizing and transporting larger items, like furniture, has been one of our biggest challenges,” said Sedef. “Currently, we have only a few volunteers for this, and we still need more help to move basic furniture for newcomer families. Thanks to the Women of Faith Interfaith Service Community, led by Jean Arnott, we received essential items like mattresses and a sofa.”
Shortly after the family arrived, California experienced an intense heatwave. The HMI team quickly collaborated with the City of Riverside Public Utilities to ensure the family’s home remained cool and safe. Sedef went above and beyond, cooking a traditional Guatemalan meal for the family on their first night, helping them feel at home. Lindsey, fluent in Spanish, made sure they felt supported and secure, attending to their immediate needs.
In the first few days, Lindsey also accompanied the family to their initial health screening and conducted the necessary home visits to ensure their environment met all standards. Beyond immediate care, the team worked quickly to help the family secure their benefits and EAD (Employment Authorization Document) work authorizations, understanding that self-sufficiency is the ultimate goal within the 90-day resettlement period. “We know how important it is for these families to regain their independence as soon as possible, and getting their work authorizations quickly is crucial to that,” Lindsey noted.
Welcome Signs created by HMI Staff member, Teresa.
“All the preparation, all the planning—it felt like everything was building up to this moment,” Sedef recalled. “But in many ways, it was just the beginning.”
The family— a mother, father, and their three young children—stepped off the plane into a new life in Riverside. From the moment they arrived, HMI was by their side, helping them navigate the transition. The first few days were spent settling them into their new apartment, which had been carefully prepared with all the essentials.
This family’s arrival marks just the beginning of HMI’s expanded resettlement efforts. We are immensely proud of the community’s involvement in making this all possible and look forward to continuing our vital work, ensuring Riverside remains a welcoming place for families from around the world.