OUR 4 PILLARS

CULTURE AT MIRY’S LIST: OUR 4 PILLARS

Our first pillar is GRATITUDE, felt in everything we do. We don’t simply recognize someone’s differences...we appreciate and value who they are. You can recognize the value of a human being at any time, for any reason, and the impact for that individual is expansive. Studies show that when people feel appreciated they are more productive, focused, healthier, engaged, and are much more likely to stay with their companies. Feeling appreciated motivates a person to make things better, find more to be thankful for, and it ripples out. For someone who has been systematically marginalized and invisible for many years, being seen is restorative, healing, and gratifying. We incorporate gratitude from the top down, and it extends into our approach with families, recognizing the individual for who they are, not what they do.

Our second pillar is CIVILITY, encouraging the demonstration of kindness. The effects are more competent and developed leaders. Research shows that people who are civil perform better, are viewed as more competent, and are more likely to be seen as leaders. By empowering people to be role models, they develop themselves and are motivated to improve their world in everything they touch.

Our third pillar is CHOICE, reminding us to celebrate and honor our ability to choose. We are independent, unique individuals who proactively opt-in to our lives. The culture of choice became central to Miry’s List first in our approach with families, naturally developing throughout our organization. We examined the shift in individuals experiencing resettlement - the moment and moments they go from a survival mentality to a sense of place, purpose, safety, and consent. This shift into choice is a turning point for individuals and families experiencing resettlement. When you’re a refugee, you are expected to wait in line, stay quiet; you’re told what to do and where to go. You’re operating from a place of survival, which is an instinct, not a choice. A healthy mind does not choose to survive, a healthy mind survives.

So our practice became asking, “how can we help?” to empower people to choose for themselves. When people are put in situations where they can make decisions for themselves, their mindset changes from “receiver of charity” to “empowered active participant.”

Our fourth pillar is PRESENCE, acknowledging everybody’s seat at the table. We are here. Together. We are here for our families. Our families are here, and we can help. We are honored to be entrusted with the opportunity to help. Our slogan “Ana Huna,” is Arabic for “I’m Here.” Ana Huna is for our families to declare when they arrive, they have waited so long and have had to withstand unthinkable violence and trauma. But they made it, and they’re here, and they’re home. Ana Huna is for our community to proclaim, “we are glad you have come, and we are here for you.” The resettling refugee community were forced out of their home countries due to violence, racial and religious persecution, xenophobia, and homophobia. A declaration of presence proactively counteracts the effects of systematic marginalization and shame associated with migration. We are here and we all belong.

(From left to right) Evan Kleiman, Maritza Gualy,, Miry Whitehill, Cyndi Otteson, Katie Kildow, (Seated) Abeer Alfirafi

Photograph by Christina Gandolfo