HMI 10th Anniversary Gala: Home, Hope, and Humanity

On the evening of Saturday, November 8th, 2025, Human Migration Institute (HMI) commemorated ten years of Home, Hope, and Voices of Humanity with our inaugural gala at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. This once in a decade celebration brought together sponsors, staff, newcomer families, volunteers, and special guests in one shared space of beauty, memory, and meaning.

A Night Rooted in Story & Connection

The gala program blended reflection, storytelling, and cultural celebration. Guests enjoyed dinner catered by Mamma Mia while listening to reflections from the HMI team and stories that illustrated the daily work happening behind the scenes. One of the presentations featured poetry from Stranger Is My Friend, an anthology written by Afghan women in our community in collaboration with the Inlandia Institute. Their voices shared truth, strength, and vulnerability in a way that grounded the room in the lived realities of newcomer women.

The performances throughout the evening brought the themes of Home, Hope, and Humanity to life. Young Ukrainian artists Liza and Anna performed a touching duet and a dance to “Unbreakable.” Melis Yurdakul, HMI’s previous team member and scholarship recipient from Türkiye, energized the room with a vibrant salsa performance, and Negar Haji Kemali captivated the audience with two traditional Iranian dances that blended cultural beauty with emotional depth. These performances were more than artistic moments. They reflected the resilience, heritage, and shared humanity that define HMI’s community.

Honoring a Decade of Impact

Throughout the evening, HMI was deeply honored to receive a series of recognitions that highlighted the breadth of our work over the past decade. Congressman Mark Takano opened the acknowledgments with a certificate from the U.S. Congress and powerful remarks about why he supports HMI’s mission. He spoke about the responsibility we all share to confront violence and injustice and the importance of refusing to stand idly by. His message resonated throughout the room and helped to set the tone for the night.

Riverside County Commissioner for District 1, Jose Medina, a long-time champion of immigrant communities, contributed a warm congratulatory video that was woven into our 10 Year Impact Film. His message honored HMI’s long history of service and partnership within the region.

The City of Riverside then declared November 8 as “Human Migration Institute Day” through an official proclamation signed by Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson. The acknowledgments concluded with a heartfelt tribute from Beth Claassen Thrush, offered on behalf of the University of California Riverside’s Chancellor Hu, recognizing the strength of HMI’s long standing collaboration with the university and its ongoing commitment to uplifting newcomer families.

Stories That Call Us to Action

Many guests shared that although they had heard of HMI before, they had not fully understood the depth of our impact in the Riverside community until that evening. They saw how services become relationships, how relationships become opportunity, and how opportunity becomes lasting stability and independence.

One of the most powerful moments of the night came when a member of our HMI community, Zahidullah, shared his moving personal story. He arrived in the United States under Special Immigrant Visa, or SIV, status after his family members directly supporting the U.S. military in Afghanistan, yet his family is now being detained by ICE in the Adelanto facility. The promised safety extended to them is being jeopardized. His courage in speaking publicly reminded us why this work matters, why advocacy is essential especially in these times of fear and uncertainty, and why our community cannot turn away from the injustices that newcomer families face.

A Space That Reflected the Spirit of the Night

The Cheech Marin Center was a truly stunning backdrop. Its galleries and bold artistic expressions created an atmosphere of elegance, grounding the evening in themes of identity, belonging, and social justice. Surrounded by art that reflects the complexity of culture and community, guests were reminded that every newcomer story is part of a larger narrative about who we are and who we aspire to be.

Deep Gratitude for Our Supporters

HMI extends heartfelt appreciation to the donors whose generosity made this evening and our ongoing work possible. Their belief in our mission strengthens our resolve and expands what is possible for newcomer families in Riverside and beyond.

Friend of HMI
• Ayca Altintig
• Carla Lidner Baum
• Sevgi Yildiz
• Ilge Karancak
• Saime Atakan
• Norette Gilbert

Community Allies
• Agenor Mafra Neto
• Arne Nielsen
• Sahaba Initiative
• Turan Kahraman

Voices for Justice
• Steven Cason and Todd Wingate

Your commitment uplifts the dreams of families seeking safety, education, and the chance to rebuild their lives. We are endlessly grateful.

Looking Forward With Purpose

The evening was not only a reflection on our first decade. It was also a turning point that allowed us to look ahead with renewed purpose. We envision a future where every newcomer is welcomed with dignity, where safety and opportunity are guaranteed, and where community is defined by inclusion rather than borders. As HMI enters its next chapter, we remain committed to building systems of support that empower families to thrive, not just survive, and to become leaders of their own in their new communities.

With Gratitude to the Hands Behind the Night

This celebration was made possible by the months of dedicated planning from HMI staff who balanced the needs of the gala with daily support for clients and families. We extend our deepest thanks to our volunteers for their generosity and leadership. Special appreciation goes to the National Charity League’s mother and daughter teams and the International Justice Mission from California Baptist University for leading dinner service, and to the Middle Eastern Student Center from University of California Riverside for providing staffing support throughout the evening, along with our many other dedicated volunteers and friends who came together to make this gala possible.

A Night That Strengthens Our Resolve

As we reflect on this unforgettable night, we are reminded of how far HMI has come and how far we can go when we move forward together. The stories, performances, and reflections shared that evening were not only a tribute to our first ten years. They were a promise that the next ten will be guided by even greater compassion, courage, and collective purpose.

The HMI 10th Anniversary Gala was not just an event. It was a reaffirmation of who we are and the future we are determined to build.