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ourBRIDGE has been hard at work in our community alongside hundreds of immigrant families. Last November, CBP activity in Charlotte left many in our community experiencing fear, but more importantly remarkable courage and hope. In the months since, our team has continued to show up – again and again, working with families, listening closely, and connecting them to critical resources.

Since December alone, we’ve partnered with more than 300 NEW familiesand have been taking walk-ins at our Charlotte is Home Center daily. For context, over the past two years, we typically supported about 350 families in an entire year. This growth reflects both the urgency of the moment and the trust the community places in our team.

I am incredibly proud of our staff’s flexibility, care, and quick response to what families are telling us they need. Our Family Support Team remains a cornerstone of our work and a source of stability, connection, and possibility for families. 

Below, you’ll find a closer look at our Family Support Team’s work, along with a highlight of Thin Thin, who recently celebrated six years with ourBRIDGE! Your support makes this work possible and helps turn moments of injustice into pathways toward belonging and opportunity for all immigrants and refugees in our city.

Thank you for being part of this work.

Salma Villarreal Siraj

Interim Executive Director

On Friday, January 30, we hosted an ourBRIDGE Pop-Up Free Store for families we started working with during the ICE raids in Charlotte.

Families accessed food, diapers, school supplies, household items, toys, medicine, and clothing. In one day, we distributed more than 1,200 pounds of clothing, and worked with 140+ NEW families.

Atrium Health Community Health Workers also joined us to share resources and provide medicine and care kits.

This was made possible through clothing donations from Compassion Closet, Crisis Assistance Ministries, and community members who donated household essentials and warm clothing.

Thank you to the following volunteer groups for organizing donations and helping bring this event together: LatinX Student Union, UNCC Vietnamese Student Association, ALMA (Asociación de Latinos Motivando el Avance), Chi Upsilon Sigma, Lambda Theta Alpha, and Kappa Phi Lambda.

We first met Thin Thin as an ourBRIDGE parent in 2016. In 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, she joined our team and quickly emerged as a leader within the organization.

Through her deep relationships and the trust she had built in her community, Thin Thin strengthened our connection to the Burmese community. During an incredibly uncertain time for many, she became a fierce advocate and trusted leader – helping families access information, resources, support, and positioning ourBRIDGE as a reliable partner for her community.

After that period, Thin Thin stepped into the role of Classroom Facilitator in our afterschool program, while supporting our Family Support Program. 

"Mrs. Thin Thin really shines in her incredible connection to our Burmese community. Mrs. Thin Thin doesn’t just meet parents; she builds real, lasting bonds of trust that bring our families through the doors like never before. Thanks to her, our events are always packed, and our families know they have a true advocate in the building."

– Francina Bolan | East Afterschool Program Manager

This past summer, Thin Thin stepped into the Family Support Navigator role, helping families access crucial resources in their first language, leading workshops, and guiding them through complex systems.

Thank you, Thin Thin! Six years in, your work continues to shape how we show up for students and families at ourBRIDGE.

Volunteer in our Afterschool Program: M-F between 3-6:30pm

Volunteer at our East or South after-school program sites. Individuals will be required to go through an onboarding process which includes a background check and further training.

Amazon Wishlist: Fill the Student Store @ East

Our East site runs a student store, and we need to stock it with goodies! 

Outdoor Cleanup: February 28th, 10a-12p

Open to all: Let’s work together to organize our outdoor and storage space at our East site.

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