About Us
Our Mission
Valley Neighbors is a nonprofit organization that welcomes immigrants to the Flathead Valley by connecting them to resources while building community, language, and cultural bridges. We believe immigrants make communities better.
Our Vision
Valley Neighbors strives to foster and sustain a welcoming environment within the Flathead Valley for everyone. We seek to accomplish this work by working with and welcoming immigrant neighbors.
Our Story
In 2021, local citizens organized to form Valley Neighbors of the Flathead to address the needs of immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in the valley and to counter rising anti-immigrant sentiment with love, welcome, and service. As worldwide refugee crises were growing due to wars, famine, climate change, social injustice, and poverty, the Flathead Valley was also seeing increased numbers of immigrant arrivals. At the time, there were no local institutions to help immigrants navigate the complexities of settling in a new homeland. Valley Neighbors stepped up to assist, as neighbors helping new neighbors.
Read more on the Our Work page to learn more about our programs and get involved.
Our Board
Rebecca Miller, Chair
Johnny Ratka Skinner, Vice Chair
Terri Smiley, Treasurer
Cortnie Brooks, Secretary
Ron Gerson
Will Hiatt
Savannah Lust
Dru Rafkin
Who We Work With
Refugees – A refugee is a person outside his or her country of nationality who is unable or unwilling to return to his or her country of nationality because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion (Department of Homeland Security).
Asylees – An asylee is a person who meets the definition of refugee and is already present in the United States or is seeking admission at a port of entry (Department of Homeland Security).
Immigrants – Community members of varying immigration statuses, including documented immigrants, permanent residents, DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, TPS (Temporary Protected Status) recipients, and undocumented immigrants.
