Northwest Conference on Resettlement Awards 2024

The community nominated 20 individuals and organizations for the Collaborator for Success and Welcoming Community awards at the 2024 Northwest Conference on Resettlement, celebrating those who are doing exemplary work to elevate opportunities for community ‎members from refugee and immigrant backgrounds to thrive and belong.

Have a nomination for our 2025 event? Please submit here.

In Memorial

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Tara McFarland  worked at the Twin Falls refugee center for nearly 20 years and improved the lives of countless individuals. She passed away this year at the age of 48, leaving a void that is felt deeply among her team, her clients, her family and friends, and her community. As the center’s director has shared, Tara’s unwavering commitment, compassion, and leadership have left a lasting impression on us all. Tara's  legacy and impact will continue to live on, as every life she touched is a ripple that continues to grow and bring light and healing.

Collaborator for Success

Recognizes individuals for their outstanding contributions to create a connected, compassionate, and welcoming community that honors and includes neighbors from refugee and immigrant backgrounds.
Dr. Scott Smith - Award Winner
Dr. Scott Smith is a retired physician and professor emeritus at the University of Washington.

Several years ago when Scott met a pair of brothers who were doctors in their home country but faced too many barriers to practice medicine in the U.S., he decided to do something about.

He formed the Global Talent Docs cohort at Global Talent, which provides in-depth guidance and mentorship to healthcare professionals from refugee and immigrant backgrounds.

Scott knows the ins and outs of navigating the arduous tests they must take and the competitive residency process they must go through. This takes years of study and is expensive.

Through Global Talent Docs, Scott has worked with 40 individuals from ‎‎20 countries since 2019. Seven are now practicing medicine, mostly in the Treasure Valley, three are in residency, while others have secured jobs in the healthcare field or are still studying and doing observerships. 

Scott has also worked on state and national levels to reduce the systemic barriers, examining state efforts around the country. In 2023 and 2024, he introduced bills to the state Legislature to allow for apprenticeships in place of residencies which passed with overwhelming bipartisan support and he has been working hard to set up an apprenticeship. Idaho may have the first apprentice physician in the country start this fall!

​For your innovation, determination and collaborative efforts, we’re honored to present you with the Collaborator for Success Award!
Hashmat Nabeel - Award Winner
Painting by Yidan Guo, framed by Finishing Touch Frame Gallery
Hashmat, originally from Afghanistan, started working with Agency for New Americans in March of 2023 as an immigration assistant. He completed all his immigration trainings and was promoted to immigration specialist position in July 2024.

Over the past two years resettlement agencies in Idaho and around the country have worked very hard to help their Afghan clients apply for permanent immigration status. Part of the process required medical exams.

At the time when Boise was experiencing a lack of civil surgeons, Hashmat took the initiative to find a solution. He collaborated with a civic surgeon from Burley who came to Boise for immigration clinics and assisted around 60+ Afghan parolee clients complete their medical exams for their adjustment of status applications.

Hashmat was recently accredited through Department of Justice, and he has been working hard to help Afghan parolee community through their immigration processes, assisting clients every step of the way.

Besides doing his job at high quality, Hashmat is ready to help his colleagues at Agency for New Americans with other tasks too -- from moving clients, cleaning storage units and transporting clients for their appointments.

Hashmat is a dedicated and great team member. His example of working diligently, day in and day out, and facing challenges with a creative mindset, is an inspiration.
Tony Franklin
Tony Franklin serves as the Site Manager at SBM Management Services within the Micron building.  

He is described to have a heart of gold and a deep commitment to the refugee community. 

Tony has hired on former refugee team members at the Micron building and goes above and beyond his job description to find ways to support them in building a life in Boise.  

His influence on newly arrived refuges is profound. He aims to make them feel more welcome and provide them with opportunities to build careers. 

​Tony’s example is an inspiration to all of us to make a positive impact in our communities, without the expectation of reward or compensation. 
Protais Muzungu
Protais and his family resettled in Boise at the end of 2015. By 2016 he began working full-time at IRC.  

Protais is a supreme role model in the way he lives, his character, parenting, work ethic and his kindness and respect for others!  

He has diligently planned the path to success for his family, from buying a home to obtaining his U.S. citizenship. 

​As a caseworker, he assists newly arrived families. After families have settled into the community, he continues to help people navigate unfamiliar systems.  

Protais is trusted, respected and humble. He seems to have the ability to move across social boundaries that others cannot.  

​Protais is a person that stands for love, trust and honor
Youssef Belhadj
Youssef is a 16-year-old senior at Capital High School. He’s a dedicated volunteer at the state Veterans Home and a coach for athletes with disabilities. 

After learning more about refugee resettlement in Boise and connecting personally with a new Syrian family in town, Youssef applied for and received a “Heartwarming Grant” from Hershey’s corporation. 

​He used the funding to launch “Fill the Gap,” a project that involved writing welcome letters in different languages and filling gift bags with books & games to be given to refugee children in Boise.   

Youssef worked with several local organizations and recruited dozens of students from different ethnic, faith, and socioeconomic backgrounds, including students with special needs. He engaged many students who had come as refugees from the Multicultural Club to write welcome notes in their first language.  

The students collected over 1,000 items and assembled more than 350 gift bags with welcome letters. Youssef hopes the books and games help relieve stress felt by kids when they first arrive and are in temporary housing, and also teach them about their new home. 

​Youssef is caring mentor and a true leader. You are creating a brighter future for all of us. 
Aisha Malyamungu
​Aisha, a Community Advisor at USCRI Twin Falls, is an exemplary community leader who arrived in the United States as a refugee nearly a decade ago.  

​Aisha has been an integral part of USCRI Twin Falls for many years, initially as a volunteer and now as a Community Advisor.  

Her contributions have been instrumental in fostering a supportive and welcoming environment for refugees and immigrants in Idaho. Through her work, Aisha has significantly enhanced the quality of life for these communities, ensuring they receive the support and resources necessary for a successful transition to life in the United States.  

Her personal journey from being a refugee to now advocating for the needs of others in similar situations is a testament to her resilience and passion. Aisha’s remarkable ability to connect with and empower her community members truly sets her apart as a leader and a champion for her cause. 
Noel Lupumba
In just three months as a case manager at the USCRI Twin Falls resettlement agency, Noel has demonstrated extraordinary dedication and impact. He has successfully resettled 70 new refugees, each time going above and beyond to ensure that these individuals feel welcomed and supported in their new environment. He embodies the essence of a true community leader.  

Noel's professional skills as an electrician have been an incredible asset; he has addressed the electrical needs of many families, ensuring their housing is safe and secure.  

He has built strong relationships with property managers, finding housing solutions for incoming refugees. 

​Noel is ready and willing to respond to needs that come up – from housing to groceries to medical needs.  
He has not only helped several families find a place to call home but has also nurtured a sense of belonging and hope. Noel’s impactful contributions truly reflect the spirit of unity and compassion in our community. 
Rev. Jenny Hirst
Jenny Hirst serves as the Community Schools Coordinator at Taft Elementary School in Boise and also as a Minister for Collister United Methodist Church.  

Jenny was nominated for being a creative and enthusiastic collaborator, bringing all kinds of people together to make some incredible community projects happen.  

During the pandemic, Jenny created a YouTube series called Turning Pages which showcased a variety of BIPOC Idahoans talking about their children's favorite books. She wanted her students (largely formers refugees) and others to see themselves in the stories of successful Idahoans talking about the power of books and reading. 

At Collister church, she brought the congregation together to partner with LEAP charities to build 2 single family homes on the church property. The homes currently house families from refugee backgrounds. The church has supported them with care packages and other needs.  

The church is also home to a Congolese fellowship, and the two communities regularly come together for activities and support. 

At Taft, Jenny has partnered with the community to bring creative services to the students, from haircuts, to a community clothing store where kids can shop for free), to a pop-up farmer's markets with craft booths for families to sell their wares. 

Jenny is the kind of person who is always asking, "What does our community need?" and then, "How can we help meet that need?" She brings enthusiasm and creativity with a mindset of "everything is possible!"  

​Jenny is  warm, loving, and joyful; the kind of person everyone wants to be around and work with because she makes everything fun (even when there are challenges and obstacles).  
Salome Mwangi
Salome Mwangi is an incredible example of someone who demonstrates positive community involvement that improves the lives, relationships, and ‎diversity of Idaho.  

Originally from Kenya, Salome moved to Boise over 20 years ago, earned her bachelor’s degree from Boise State University, and worked for many years for the Idaho Office of Refugees as the Refugee Speakers Bureau Coordinator. She is an accomplished trainer and owns her own business, Mwangi'z Inc.  

Salome serves as an interpreter in several languages and regularly assists families that are new to the area.  

She is an excellent public speaker who shares about the importance of storytelling and educates others, acting as a cultural broker who brings people together to explore the benefits of diversity and human connection.  

As an active member of several Board of Directors, including the Idaho Food Bank, Salome's service to others benefits countless individuals and families throughout Idaho. 

Salome volunteers at the Intercultural Living Library events at Boise State, encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones as they engage with respect and curiosity when meeting refugees and others from various cultures. She works with volunteers and storytellers from various backgrounds as they prepare to share their stories with the public. 

​Salome brings people together and assists them in creating intercultural connections, regardless of their backgrounds.
Diane Demerest
Diane Demerest served as the grant director for Jannus for nearly a decade, writing and supporting grants for many programs that serve refugees.  

In the last four years alone, Jannus has applied for over 350 grants with over $80,000,000 in value. With Diane’s writing skills and stewardship of the application process, Jannus has enjoyed an extremely high award rate. 

Even behind the scenes, Diane played a key role in securing grants to support programs serving refugee populations. Her kindness and expertise have helped countless people obtain the resources needed to make a meaningful impact. 

Diane has made a huge difference on the lives of so many people during her time at Jannus. We will miss her, and we wish her all the best in her new chapter. ​
Lindsay Hansen
Lindsay Hansen is the Chief Operating Officer of Property People, a local real estate company. 

Lindsay has been a key advocate for creating safe, affordable housing for Idaho’s refugee and immigrant communities. At Property People, she has spearheaded initiatives to ensure that vulnerable populations, including refugees, have access to housing that provides both security and a foundation for their future success. 

She collaborates with organizations like LEAP Housing and NeighborWorks Boise to create opportunities for community members to thrive.  

Beyond her professional role, Lindsay spends her time advocating for children aging out of foster care and promoting improvements in Idaho’s mental health system.  

What makes Lindsay stand out is her ability to bring people and resources together to address some of Idaho’s most pressing social issues. She leads with compassion, integrity, and a genuine desire to see others succeed. 
Jodi Larson- Farrow
Jodi is the Integration Specialist at Agency for New Americans. From time she started as a volunteer at IRC and then as an ANA employee in 2009, Jodi has been working hard to welcome refugees and their families in our community. 

In her role, Jodi conducts cultural orientations, weekly job readiness classes, women's program classes and youth classes in collaboration with Boise School District.  

Jodi has been collaborating with Boise School District through youth program and working with Borah High School, Hillside Junior High and recently with Boise High School teachers and English learners' students. She provides opportunities to learn about neurobiology of trauma, problem-solving skills, healthy relationships, gender-based ideas, human rights and relaxation.  

For the last three summers she collaborated with summers program and took students on field trips to Capitol building, museums, zoo, botanical garden and these field trips for most of students were their first field trips in their lives. Jodi tried to show students their new community that they can share with their families and friends. 

​Jodi is a selfless and compassionate person and great teacher, mother, gigi and exceptional resettlement worker. Her work is more than a position to her. She embodies the spirit of this award and this conference as she makes every move from a place of compassion.  
Rama Deen & Tanta Inc
Rama Deen has worked for more than 20 years to improve the lives of former refugees through advocacy, humanitarian work, and counseling.  She is a ​Licensed Clinical Social Worker who helped strengthen refugee counseling and services at Tidwell Social Work Services. Recently, Rama founded TANA Inc. in partnership with refugee women leaders 

TANTA is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women and girls who define and champion their own solutions to empowerment.  

TANTA received an Idaho Department of Health and Welfare grant to work through Neighbors United to address issues affecting refugee resettlement and wellbeing and improve service providers’ capacity to serve refugees.  

Rama has devoted countless hours to growing TANTA from a small group of locals to a nonprofit organization with 67 leaders in its network. These leaders reach out to nearly a dozen distinct refugee communities and provide women, men, and youth with realistic and appropriate solutions to the problems they face on a daily basis.  

​Welcoming Community

Recognizes ‎businesses and organizations who go above and beyond to create a community of belonging, share ‎opportunities and resources that lead to collective success, and celebrate and value diversity.‎ 
Learning Lab - Award Winner
​Painting by Yidan Guo, framed by Finishing Touch Frame Gallery
The Welcoming Community Award winner is an organization that has been operating for over 30 years.  

Learning Lab work with over 400 students and 300 volunteers each year to create meaningful connections that change lives. 

Learning Lab offers free, personalized education programs on literacy, GED prep, English Language learning, and citizenship test preparation. 

After all these years the model is the same – neighbors helping neighbors. People who otherwise might never have met are able to form lasting bonds rooted in mutual respect, curiosity, and kindness.  

Thank you to Learning Lab’s team of professional educators and your many volunteers for opening up doors to success and belonging to everyone in our community. Thank you for making connections that last a lifetime. 

Many of your students have had to adapt to circumstances outside of their control, and providing that ownership over their education is a huge stepping stone to their future success and fulfillment. 

​Your dedication has created a culture of belonging that resonates far beyond your classrooms. 
Envision Sight and Lions Clubs International

​Envision Sight and Lions Club International have helped address a crucial gap in healthcare in Idaho. While refugees often receive Medicaid upon arrival, it does not cover eye health services. 

Envision Sight and Lions Clubs International have stepped in to provide accessible eye care and glasses. Their efforts equip people for a successful start in Idaho.  

Thank you for your partnership, outreach, and inclusion.  

You’ve created a space where people learn that they matter and that they belong to a community built on respect and dignity.  
Glocal Community Partners
Glocal Community Partners has been Involved for many years in Boise, helping with housing, language, furniture, friendship, baby showers, and more. Beyond that, they come alongside people to create friendship and understanding. 

Imagine you’re new to a country and about to have a baby, and the community puts on a baby shower to celebrate with you and gift you with what you’re going to need in this next phase of life.  

Or you’re moving into your first apartment in an unfamiliar city, and a group of volunteers shows up to help move in the furniture. 

​Glocal and their volunteers have provided this ray of light and friendship to so many families in the Treasure Valley over the years, and we thank you for your genuine demonstration of love in action.  
Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho
Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls provides programs in language education, cultural orientation, and skill-building that empower former refugees to adapt to their new environment.  

Unity Alliance enriches the community as a whole by fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all residents.

They also offer tailored training to businesses and nonprofits to enhance social responsibility and foster a workplace culture that encourages community engagement. 

​Thank you for your dedicated work to strengthen community ties and equip former refugees to find a solid footing in a community that understands, cares, and works together. 
SB Studios - Boise
SB Studios helps people share their stories through podcasting. They are a big help in the production of the Mosaics podcast that is run by the Idaho Office for Refugees. 

​SB Studios bring the stories of many refugees and immigrants to life through podcasting.  They foster an environment that allows for conversation to inspire and encourage members of the community from newly arrived refugees to longtime residents. 
City Club of Boise
Since 1995, ​the City Club of Boise has hosted more than 400 events on a variety of subjects, creating meaningful dialog in the community.

City Club’s public discussion forums bring awareness of and support for refugees in the Treasure Valley. The forums feature the voices of people who have experienced refugee resettlement firsthand.

Thank you, City Club, for your work to deepen connections between Treasure Valley residents and new Americans.

Award Nominations - 2025