Our StoryOur story began early in January 2017, when SHConnections founder, Merritt Groeschel received a phone call asking her to assist a couple of Syrian refugee families in suburban Maryland. These families, and others like them, were resettled in small clusters allowing them to learn from one another, but many were struggling to learn English quickly enough to get a job. When added to the language barriers, it was clear that navigating a new system of government, schooling, healthcare and social services could easily become overwhelming. In the prior year, Merritt had helped sponsor a Syrian refugee family through her church. Church members, friends and neighbors from all different backgrounds had pitched in together to provide the family with a warm welcome and support. You can watch an award-winning documentary about that Syrian family’s resettlement journey here. Through this experience, Merritt knew that friendship and community involvement could ease the transition for new families. Very quickly a small group of volunteers, recruited from networks of neighbors, friends, schools, and closeby churches and temples, mobilized to help the Syrian families. Soon, with the news of this group spreading by word of mouth, more refugees from Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan, also reached out for help. In May 2017, Solutions in Hometown Connections (SHConnections) was formally launched as a volunteer led and run organization. |
M E E T O U R T E A M
Our Founders
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Merritt Groeschel
President & Founder Merritt founded SHC to extend services that empower refugee families in Maryland and the metro DC area. She began as the leader of her church’s effort to resettle a refugee family from Syria, and through that experience was inspired to initiate a one on one tutoring program to other local English learners. She is passionate about working with new members of the community, sharing local knowledge and a love of metro DC. Merritt volunteered as tutor, mentor and employment coach, personally touching over 40 families; while also mentoring volunteers, groups and diverse faith communities working with refugee families. Merritt is President of SHC working to shape SHC programs, goals and vision for the future, building thriving futures and giving families tools to succeed in their communities.
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Kate Talbot
VP Operations & Finance, Founding Director Kate’s 12 years of experience in the non-profit field include work for a foundation that encouraged civic engagement through social media and for an education fund supporting students at inner-city Catholic schools. It wasn’t until a friend invited Kate to help tutor English to resettled refugees, that she saw first-hand the challenges newcomers face extending well beyond language barriers. Every day Kate is inspired by the kindness, generosity and warmth of the people and families she assists.
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Yasmina Mudarres
VP Programs & Outreach, Founding Director Welcoming refugees to our community and helping families resettle in the U.S. is an immensely personal mission to Yasmina, whose father’s family comes from Syria. A two time immigrant with a background in advancing advocacy, policy and service delivery programs, she understands that navigating U.S. social programs is challenging for specialists, let alone for newcomers. Yasmina started volunteering with refugee families in 2016 and quickly responded to the opportunity of forming Solutions in Hometown Connections in 2017.
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Sarah Simmons
Director of Education Sarah joined SHC because she loves seeing newcomers discover all the possibilities that may not have been available to them before. As a teacher, Sarah believes that education empowers families and individuals to develop communication skills and gain a deeper understanding of American values and culture. For over 20 years, she has taught English, history, government, and art to teens and adults. Sarah hold two masters degrees in education and history as well as a certificate to teach TESOL/TFEOL/ ESOL. She enjoys creating classes that are fun and challenge students to think deeply and ask questions that cause ripples.
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Loan Nguyen
Founding Director As a refugee whose family fled post-war Vietnam in 1979, Loan cares deeply, and continuously advocates, for refugees and immigrants from all walks of life. Loan wants to ensure for all refugees, a transition and path forward in America that is supported by friends and community. Loan practices environmental law and regulation with the federal government, and volunteers for a variety of civic and pro bono organizations outside of her professional practice of law.
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Kate Carpenter
Secretary & Founding Director Kate Carpenter has volunteered to assist refugee families since 2016. She helps identify opportunities within the community to assist families with their needs. These may range from summer camp scholarships for newly arrived children, to medical professionals willing to donate their services for critical procedures not covered under Medicaid.
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Our Partners
SH Connections works with a broad range of community partners to meet family and individual needs as well as to identify opportunities that would not otherwise be easily available to newcomers. These include government agencies, nonprofits and local businesses and services such as those featured below.
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Partner Spotlight
Prince George's County Memorial Library System
SHConnections and Prince George's County Memorial Library System have developed a new partnership to provide educational activities to English Language learners and their children. Contact info@shconnections.org for weekly event information.
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