There’s a new leader at the helm of the Twin Falls refugee center. The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) in Twin Falls has selected Chandra Upreti as field office director.

Chandra has a personal understanding of what people resettling in Twin Falls are experiencing. Born in Bhutan, he experienced displacement at a very young age, fleeing to Nepal as a refugee. After spending 17 years in refugee camps, Chandra was eventually resettled in Twin Falls in 2008, where he found a new home and purpose.

“Being able to advocate for and support others in similar situations allows me to give back to the community that welcomed me,” Chandra said.

Read on to learn more about Chandra, USCRI, and resettlement in Twin Falls.

From Boise featured a beautiful story about Global Gardens, written by Sonya Feibert Kuhn. Visit fromboise.com to listen to or read the story. Get to know more about the farmers, what they value in agriculture, and where you can find their produce. 

Every year, refugees and immigrants relocate to Idaho with valuable educational and career experiences. Transferring those skills and credentials to a new country comes with barriers, however, sometimes causing professionals to leave behind careers they love.

Global Talent, a nonprofit program of the Idaho Office for Refugees, formed 10 years ago to help prevent this brain waste from happening. The program assists New Americans with continuing in their careers, growing Idaho’s workforce of skilled professionals.

Starting this year, Global Talent is increasing its support for employers, too, offering cultural education and guidance.
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Global Talent is proud to announce a $20,000 infusion into this work from JPMorgan Chase. The one-year grant, starting in April 2024, is supporting Global Talent’s work not only with job seekers, but with Idaho employers who are hiring professionals from refugee and immigrant backgrounds.

Jennie Buley has joined the Idaho Office for Refugees as the Project Manager spearheading comprehensive initiatives encompassing housing and Welcome Corps. This will include the implementation of a co-signing program as well as a new national initiative for Private Sponsor Groups. She is also serving on the Housing Committee of the Neighbors United Network.

Jennie is a lifelong Northwesterner, coming from Sandpoint, Coeur ‘Dalene, Seattle, and eventually made her way to Boise where she received her bachelor’s degree in political science from Boise State University.

After graduating in 2018, she moved to Kenya to become the project manager of a local charity focusing on school sponsorship for vulnerable youth. She spent five years in Kenya, fully immersed in the community and working side by side with those the charity sought to serve.

“Serving the children and families of the organization was the honor of a lifetime and something that will stay with me forever," Jennie said.

She relocated back to Boise in 2024 and is excited to join the IOR team and be a part of the impactful work taking place. Serving the underserved, advocating for the overlooked, and championing sustainable change are her biggest passions and values.

In her free time, Jennie is an avid runner, biker, and swimmer; anything outdoors in the sunshine is loved! She loves spending time with family, especially her cherished nieces and nephews.

You can reach Jennie at [email protected].