About Us

Engaging Communities, Bridging Gaps, Changing Lives

Who are wе?

Regardless of how you arrived in this country, how long you have been here, where you came from, or your immigration status, you don't only deserve a warm welcome but also an easy way to navigate this system. At Immigrant Guide, we work with immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers to rebuild their lives by providing access to social service resources and information through technology and engagement. We have taken this uроn оurѕеlves tо uѕе thе proliferation of tесhnоlоgу аnd thе роwеr of the digital world tо рrоvidе ѕuрроrt whеrе аnd whеn it iѕ nееdеd.

We are a 501c3 non-profit organization founded in 2018 that has been missioning to build a more resilient community of immigrants and refugees. It has continued its work by facilitating vital access to information and resources to the community members in the most vulnerable positions.

Our Mission

Our mission iѕ tо build a stronger, independent, and more resilient community of immigrants and refugees by celebrating culture and heritage and providing access to resources.

Our Viѕiоn

Our vision is a society of immigrants and refugees with respect, dignity, and ability to reach their full potential

Our Story

The Immigrant Guide Mobile Application was inspired by the life experiences of one of our Founder members Mpiima Mugambe when he migrated to the United States in 2012. He believes that the challenges he faced then are no different from other immigrant experiences when they leave their home countries for new lives, hence the need for a central mobile social service platform that offers knowledge and support to the immigrants.

Cora Jessup and Cossette Belle later joined Mpiima in the fall quarter of 2018 at the School of Social Work, the University of Washington, to adopt the idea for a class project under the mentorship of their instructor. Through the Community-Centered Integrative Practice Class, the three conducted a community needs assessment which informed the specifics of the mobile application and social service programs, thus the birth of Immigrant Guide.

Context

When asylum seekers, refugees, immigrants, and migrants arrive in their new countries, they have to adjust to a new culture and society. This is an overwhelming process. Upon arrival, some refugees and asylum seekers are detained and sent to jails where they await their fate. Depending on their case, some asylum seekers can be held for months or years before they are released into society and connected with a sponsor or family.