THE GOOD IN PEOPLE

The Good in People

By Sara Gomaa, Welcome Workshop Coordinator, Miry’s List

“America isn't only the negative news we hear from the outside but has a lot of good that I’ve seen and felt firsthand.”

I remember the day when I first arrived at LAX Airport on January 26, 2017, at 1:15 pm. I was thinking, "How can California be my last destination when I was informed before I would take a flight that lands in Columbus, Ohio? Not only have I lost all links I made in Ohio before traveling to America, but how will I face a blurry future in California where I know nobody?" Then, a few hours later, waking up in a motel, I opened my eyes to the breaking news on TV saying that former President Donald Trump declared a Travel Ban on all refugees.

A few days later, I met an American lady named Miry Whitehill. I was initially skeptical about trusting a volunteer coming to offer help at a motel in Glendale full of recently resettled refugees, mostly from Muslim communities. But seeing her warm, smiling face and receiving the warmest hug made me think this was just one person's act of kindness. But, two days later, another American couple called me and offered me a home to stay in for thirty days at no charge. They asked for nothing even though they gave me a priceless experience of being and feeling welcomed in their home. I told myself, "These are rare humans who happened to connect with me to counteract the hateful atmosphere looming over the United States after the Refugee Ban. With time, I met more and more Americans through Miry's List New Arrival Supper Clubs who want nothing but to say welcome and offer a helping hand, whether by helping to connect to a social network or seek employment opportunities. Since then, I've acknowledged that America isn't only

the negative news we hear from the outside but has a lot of good I’ve seen and felt firsthand.

In 2021, I officially joined the Miry's List Dream Team as the Welcome Workshop Coordinator. I've seen more and more goodness from the team members who represent so much diversity of backgrounds and cultures to the Volunteers of all ages who love to welcome our new arrival families. They write Welcome Cards, make sweet drawings of affection, sort and deliver donations, and pack Welcome Kits with love. They take the time to ask for a family's specific needs, translate, act as an ambassador to help crowdsource and fulfill a wishlist, assist with tutoring, and donate clothing and useful items for our families. All these efforts allow families to function comfortably so they can focus on starting a new life without worrying about basic needs.

To all those who have supported Miry's List's work, I LOVE YOU. I THANK YOU for every action you've taken to spread love. The word "thanks" seems too tiny and inadequate to communicate how much goodness you've added to the world to support our cause and our new neighbors.

And thank you for answering the very first question that I had when I landed at LAX. Now it's clear that I was meant to come to the Golden State because I was meant to witness the good that you've all shown and continue to show. I was meant to meet everyone who's helped at the Welcome Workshop and their continued generosity and love.

God Bless you All.