The final Inland Empire Refugee Forum of 2025, co-hosted by HMI and Lifting Humanity, brought partners together for a reflective and timely discussion on the experiences of Afghan newcomers in the region. From community statements and state department updates to meaningful conversations on women’s education and an engaging Refugee Challenge Card activity, the forum highlighted both the challenges faced this year and the collective commitment to continued progress in 2026.

This past weekend, HMI showed up in full force across Southern California, carrying forward our mission of dignity, belonging, and hope for displaced families. From expert panels and community dialogues at CBU, to a philanthropic gathering in Mission Viejo, to a vibrant Alternative Gift Fair in Riverside, our team and partners spent three days strengthening connections, uplifting refugee narratives, and sharing the impact of our work. It was a weekend filled with heart, learning, and community, a reminder that when people come together with compassion, real change takes root.

In Torbalı, the children have so little—no shoes, few clothes, no toys—yet what they share with us is immense: laughter, trust, and a generosity that humbles. One boy quietly gave away his only snack to the toddler in his care; a young girl, now too old for playtime, drew a house with a garden—a home she’s never had; a toddler learned a spider song in a language he didn’t know, but understood through joy. These small, luminous moments remind us why HMI is committed to building something lasting: a safe classroom, steady teaching, and a place where hope can take root.

On September 20th, HMI hosted Peace Day 2025 at the Arlington Library alongside ICFOR and the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity. The event brought together community members and partners to celebrate peace, unity, and hope, with the support of local organizations dedicated to justice and compassion.