Our History

    • Inspired by the viral image of Alan Kurdi, we hold our first Peace Walk.

    • Afghan families in Riverside make blankets for Syrian refugees.

    • Glocally Connected (GC) is officially formed.

    • Represented at Istanbul Human Security Conference.

    • First ESL class launches in Riverside.

    • Host cross-cultural workshops and collaborate with UCR.

    • Establish the Syrian Refugee Forum to unite local humanitarian efforts.

    • First Certificate Ceremony for Afghan women learners.

    • Open our first office in Riverside.

    • Expand international partnerships with refugee settlements in Türkiye.

    • Receive recognition from the Sabaha Initiative.

    • Dr. Nielsen speaks at the United Nations Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.

    • Provide food boxes, hygiene supplies, and online ESL classes during COVID-19.

    • Refugee families sew masks to protect the community.

    • HMI Community mobilizes to evacuate Afghan families and welcome newcomers after the Taliban takeover.

    • Dr. Nielsen works with those fleeing Kabul to connect them to safety in the U.S. and around the world.

    • Launch Ukraine Crisis Fund and strengthen mental health programs.

    • Partner with UCR to promote literacy for refugee families.

    • Name officially changes from Glocally Connected to Human Migration Institute (HMI).

    • New office grand opening in Riverside.

    • Host inaugural Riverside County Refugee Forum.

    • Become a Reception & Placement Community Partner with EMM.

    • Welcome our first resettled family through federal partnership.

    • Host World Refugee Day Picnic, and Thanksgiving and expand local programs.

    • Launch Afghan and Ukrainian Newcomer Support Programs.

    • Join Global Giving platform.

    • Celebrate 10 years of HMI: a decade of home, hope, and humanity.

Since 2015…

What began with a single image of tragedy in 2015 grew into a decade of impact. When our founder, Dr. Selin Nielsen, saw the heartbreaking image of a young Syrian refugee boy washed ashore, she felt compelled to act. From that moment, a vision took root: to create a community where refugees and newcomers are welcomed with dignity, compassion, and support.

In September 2015, we held our first Peace Walk, gathering neighbors to walk together in solidarity with refugees worldwide. Shortly after, Afghan refugee families in Riverside began making blankets for Syrian refugees, and Glocally Connected, as we were first known, was born. By October 2015, we were representing our fledgling organization internationally, speaking at the Istanbul Human Security Conference.

In 2016, we launched our first English as a Second Language (ESL) class, planting the seeds for what would grow into our robust local programs. We collaborated with universities, churches, and humanitarian organizations, held cross-cultural workshops, and convened the first Syrian Refugee Forum, a coalition dedicated to improving the lives of newcomers. This year marked our first Certificate Ceremony, celebrating Afghan women gaining confidence and language skills.


Over the next few years, HMI deepened its roots both locally and globally:

  • In 2017, we hosted our first interfaith iftar, built community through events like Peace Day and family picnics, and began highlighting refugee stories through panels and advocacy work.

  • In 2018, we moved into our first office, officially becoming a home base for our work. Partnerships expanded internationally, especially with refugee communities in Türkiye, where we helped provide education and resources to children in camps.

  • By 2019, our advocacy reached new heights when Dr. Nielsen spoke at the United Nations Global Refugee Forum in Geneva.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 challenged us in ways we couldn’t have imagined. We pivoted to provide food boxes, hygiene supplies, and online ESL classes, while refugee families sewed masks to protect our community. Even during crisis, we found ways to serve — reminding us that resilience grows strongest in the face of adversity.

In 2021, as the Taliban took over Afghanistan, we mobilized quickly to evacuate families and welcome newcomers arriving in Riverside. This period was a testament to the power of community action and global solidarity.

By 2022, HMI was responding to crises worldwide — from launching an emergency Ukraine Crisis Fund to expanding mental health resources for refugees. That year, we also began building stronger local partnerships to ensure refugee children and families had access to education and social-emotional support.

In 2023, a major milestone: Glocally Connected became Human Migration Institute (HMI), a name that reflects the global reach and local heart of our mission. We opened a new office in Riverside, launched essential wellness programs, and hosted the inaugural Riverside County Refugee Forum, creating a space for collaboration and advocacy across the region.

2024 was transformative. We became an official Reception & Placement Community Partner with Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), one of only ten national resettlement agencies. This partnership allowed us to directly welcome families arriving in Riverside County, expanding our impact beyond Afghan and Syrian communities to serve newcomers from all over the world. We also celebrated milestones like our World Refugee Day Picnic and Friday Learning Center growth, continuing to make space for education and joy.

Now, in 2025, we celebrate ten years of service. From local ESL classes to global advocacy, from a single Peace Walk to welcoming families through federal resettlement, HMI has grown into a beacon of hope. This year, we launched newcomer support programs for Afghan and Ukrainian families, joined Global Giving, and continue to serve refugee families both here in Riverside and abroad in Türkiye.

As we look back, we honor every refugee story, every volunteer, and every partner who has walked alongside us. And as we look forward, we carry our founding belief into the next decade:
Strong communities start with good neighbors.