Voices of HMI: The People Behind The Mission
Meet Tomma
Q: What inspired you to join HMI and work with refugee communities?
I was moved to become involved with HMI after my first Airport pickup. As I stood waiting with the brother and sister that I was picking up, we began to talk. I saw the strength and fortitude in their eyes. I heard their story and felt a real connection. The following week Selin asked me to help with job placement services. I knew it would be a great way for me to connect with this community.
Q: How has your background or previous experience shaped the work you do at HMI?
Because my work background is so eclectic, from the private sector to public education, it makes it easy for me to provide many options for my clients. Additionally, I was raised in a very politically active family that connected me to multiple cultural experiences.
Q: Can you describe your role at HMI and how it contributes to the organization’s mission?
My current role at HMI is Career Navigator. I provide career support and directed education for each of my clients.
Q: What part of your job do you find most meaningful or rewarding?
The most rewarding part of my job is the connection with my clients. It fuels my interest in the cultural experiences of my clients. Additionally, I get great satisfaction in seeing the outcomes for my clients.
Q: Can you share a success story or memorable moment that reminds you why this work matters?
I think this job is less about the grand memorable moments and more about watching the evolution of your clients as they navigate a new and complicated system. They become stronger and more self-sufficient. That provides me with great satisfaction.
Q: How does your team/department support one another in serving refugee families?
Our team is a close-knit small group that is always there to provide support when it is needed.
Q: What are you most excited about for HMI’s future?
I'm excited to see HMI reach its full potential. HMI is a great asset to the Riverside Community and surrounding areas. Refugees and immigrants make our communities stronger, more interesting and bring our worlds together. HMI serves to highlight all of these assets.
Meet ANastasiia
Q: What inspired you to join HMI and work with refugee communities?
Being a Ukrainian newcomer to the US myself, I feel the struggle of other immigrants. I want to be of service to the community, sharing my knowledge and experience in emigration and integration into a new country.
Q: How has your background or previous experience shaped the work you do at HMI?
My background in IT startups helps me build and maintain close relationships with both service providers and beneficiaries to ensure effective community integration. I use my strong client-facing and negotiation skills, manage beneficiary data, progress reporting, and outcome monitoring.
Q: Can you describe your role at HMI and how it contributes to the organization’s mission?
As a Ukrainian Community Liaison, I serve as a bridge between Ukrainian newcomers who are seeking various assistance and the service providers, local employers, and educational institutions. My role is to remove the language and cultural obstacles and represent HMI in cross-sector meetings, workshops, and grant initiatives.
Q: What part of your job do you find most meaningful or rewarding?
Seeing any success of my beneficiary, no matter how small or big the achievement is.
Q: Can you share a success story or memorable moment that reminds you why this work matters?
Being with the beneficiary at DMV when she passed her exam was a very happy moment for me.
Q: How does your team/department support one another in serving refugee families?
We are constantly learning from each other and sharing any potentially helpful information for all our beneficiaries.
Q: What are you most excited about for HMI’s future?
The work we’ve already done to help Afghan and Ukrainian newcomers access education and build futures in the U.S. is powerful, but I believe we’re just scratching the surface. So much more ahead!
