Valley Neighbors of the Flathead

Welcoming immigrant neighbors to the Flathead Valley. Join us:

[Ryan Busse @ryandbusse]

Meanwhile in Montana….

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

What a privilege to meet and learn from this woman of quiet strength who models valuing every human life so beautifully. https://t.co/2ncX5kPZOW

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

Grateful for the fact-checking in this article, and hopeful that before statements are hastily sent out in the future, more care is taken. https://t.co/VApf9UvK3O

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

@Galinaleigh Last comment. I am the board chair and I grew up with a single mom, picking up food at the food pantry, and washing the plastic silverware at Wendy's so we could reuse it. I'm doing better now, but I am no stranger to the struggle to keep up with cost of living now.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

OVERWHELMING support of the community at Kalispell City Council tonight. About an hour of local citizens speaking up and saying what their new immigrant neighbors mean to them, how much they add to the community, demonstrating people did not believe the inflammatory rhetoric ...

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

@Galinaleigh I don't need to go back and forth. But I do want you to know that many of our volunteers struggle with the changes in the Valley too. And many also give of their time and money to help other organizations that serve the needs of people who have been here a lot longer.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

@Galinaleigh Nope! :-)

[Shelter WF @Shelter_WF]

When politicians stoke anti-immigrant fear and resenstment it has a ripple effect. This harms everyone in a community. Shelter WF has recieved a message w/wild claims around illegal immigration & housing. Misinformation damages efforts for real actionable solutions.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

Our hearts are full. While there will still be challenges ahead, we rejoice in the support of our community.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

People didn't believe the cynical political stuff because they actually know us. They've worked with us. They know our new neighbors. We've visited their church basements.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

Grateful for this careful reporting: https://t.co/buJp2pXL6L

[Shelter WF @Shelter_WF]

Be weary of anyone trying to blame the most vulnerable people for the housing crisis we experience in MT. When ppl use these individuals as scapegoats they are deflecting&distracting from real solutions. Rhetoric matters &has real consequences for the most vulnerable individuals.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

@Xanthipppe Thank you for asking. Generally speaking, immigrants come to Kalispell for the same reasons anyone else does: it's beautiful, it's a good place to raise a family, they know someone here, or there is work.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

As sometimes occurs, this week, we were made aware of an immigrant family in need after their arrival and responded by providing them assistance in accordance with our mission and the support of our community.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

Thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement and support for immigrant neighbors, as well as the financial support. We have always been a small group driven by dedicated community members who have opened their hearts to give.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

Some helpful fact-checking here. https://t.co/IPJ4610AGU

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

We are saddened that our organization and the vulnerable families that we work with are being targeted and used for political gain through ill-informed and false statements made by some of our state’s elected officials.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

Books like these can help you respond to this conversation with more truth and humanity. We also encourage you to counter dehumanizing rhetoric wherever it is found--whether in your own political party or "the other guys."

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

To resist easy, false narratives, let's better learn the history of the humanitarian crisis occurring at the southern border of the United States. We'd encourage you to read Jonathan Blitzer's powerful and thoroughly absorbing book Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here.

[Valley Neighbors of the Flathead @VNFlathead]

Resettling in a new country is an act of courage and strength. There is so much we can learn from immigrants!