{"id":21727,"date":"2024-03-15T09:09:45","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T14:09:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/?p=21727"},"modified":"2025-10-08T09:46:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-08T14:46:38","slug":"chicago-middle-eastern-immigrant-refugee-alliance-womens-empowerment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2024\/03\/15\/chicago-middle-eastern-immigrant-refugee-alliance-womens-empowerment\/","title":{"rendered":"C\u00f3mo una organizaci\u00f3n sin \u00e1nimo de lucro de Chicago crea comunidad para empoderar a las mujeres \u00e1rabes y de Oriente Medio"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69db6c31a8cf9\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doha Lahlah still remembers the worries that weighed heavy on her mind during the days and weeks leading to her family\u2019s move from Jordan to Chicago.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The unknowns of a new place, a language barrier, and leaving behind a support system at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic were concerns that kept her up at night.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe hardest part was imagining what this new life would be like,\u201d Lahlah recalled about the move. \u201cEverything is unique to you. The people. Life. The language. The environment. The air. The weather. It was all hard.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"templatera_shortcode\">\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69db6c31aa3e0\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle small\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone border_color_909090 border_style_solid \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69db6c31aafba\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle large top_margin_20px bottom_margin_20px\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"true\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row-bg-overlay row-bg-layer\" style=\"background: #FFFFFF; background: linear-gradient(90deg,#FFFFFF 0%,#FFFFFF 100%);  opacity: 1; \"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent force-phone-text-align-center inherit_tablet inherit_phone border_top_desktop_1px border_bottom_desktop_1px border_color_FFFFFF border_style_solid \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"fws_69db6c31ab6a7\" data-midnight=\"\" data-column-margin=\"default\" class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row inner_row vc_row-o-equal-height vc_row-flex vc_row-o-content-middle\"  style=\"\"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\"> <div class=\"row-bg\" ><\/div> <\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12_inner col span_12  left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-7 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<h4 id=\"news-that-puts-power-under-the-spotlight-and-communities-at-the-center\"><strong>News that puts power under the spotlight and communities at the center.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates twice a week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div style=\"margin-top: -20px; \" class=\"vc_col-sm-5 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column neg-marg no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\n\t<div class=\"wpb_raw_code wpb_raw_html wpb_content_element\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"_form_1\"><\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.bluelena.io\/f\/embed.php?id=1\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the days after arriving in the U.S., Lahlah, born in Syria before moving to Jordan, recalled trying to balance supporting her family while navigating a new country. Amid the unknown, Lahlah found herself inside the Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance (MIRA) office in West Ridge, getting answers to her family\u2019s pressing questions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nonprofit provides legal services, education, case management, and mental health support to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Middle Eastern and Arab immigrant communities in the Chicagoland area. Last fall, the organization launched a women\u2019s empowerment program to foster community and provide essential life skills. It has <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">been a beacon of hope for women like Lahlah, trying to find stability in a new place.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Through MIRA\u2019s help, Lahlah recently became a sewing teacher at ICNA Relief. MIRA leaders encouraged Lahlah to apply for a grant to help her start an artisan design business.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cMIRA asked us what we needed, which was understanding and guidance in our language,\u201d Lahlah said, noting that sometimes feelings get lost in translation. \u201cIt is comforting and strengthening to know that someone who went through something similar did overcome it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"meeting-the-diverse-needs-of-a-vulnerable-community\"><strong>Meeting the diverse needs of a vulnerable community<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded as the Iraqi Mutual Aid Society by newly arrived Iraqi refugees in 2009, the group formed in response to the challenges faced while adapting to their new lives in the United States. Over the last decade, the organization has evolved to provide many services to refugees and recent immigrants from the Middle East. One of those programs is the women\u2019s empowerment program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MIRA holds monthly sessions for Arabic-speaking immigrant and refugee women, both newly arrived and those who have been here for years. It is a way to encourage women to connect and socialize and learn essential life skills to live a better life emotionally, financially, mentally and physically, said Muntaha Alhindi, a social worker and director of MIRA\u2019s women\u2019s mental health support group.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alhindi understands because she\u2019s been in their shoes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 1999, Alhindi arrived in the U.S. from Palestine. She recalls the difficulty of adjusting to a new country and life. She experienced the same challenges members in the group currently face, such as learning a new language and pursuing an education while raising children.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"fws_69db6c31ad7ae\" data-midnight=\"\" data-column-margin=\"default\" class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row inner_row\"  style=\"\"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\"> <div class=\"row-bg\" ><\/div> <\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12_inner col span_12  left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col child_column no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone border_bottom_desktop_1px border_color_000000 border_style_solid \"   data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"vc_separator wpb_content_element vc_separator_align_center vc_sep_width_100 vc_sep_pos_align_center vc_sep_color_black wpb_content_element vc_separator-has-text\" ><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_l\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span><h4 id=\"read-more-of-our-coverage\">Read More of Our Coverage<\/h4><span class=\"vc_sep_holder vc_sep_holder_r\"><span class=\"vc_sep_line\"><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-inline-posts\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-inline-posts-container pk-inline-posts-template-list\"\n\t\t\t\tdata-columns=\"1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article id=\"post-18956\" class=\"post-18956 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail category-arts-culture tag-shouly\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-outer\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"entry-thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-overlay pk-overlay-ratio pk-ratio-landscape\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-overlay-background\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2023\/04\/06\/chicago-rap-shouly-music-album\/\" class=\"pk-overlay-link\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1\" height=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/20230331_Bilal-QA_Web_01.jpg\" class=\"attachment-pk-thumbnail size-pk-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<header>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"pk-title\"><a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2023\/04\/06\/chicago-rap-shouly-music-album\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Chicago Rapper Shouly Explores His \u2018Double Identity\u2019 and Challenges Arab Stereotypes<\/a><\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"pk-post-meta\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pk-meta-author meta-author\"><span class=\"author vcard\"><a class=\"url fn n\" href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/author\/diane-bou-khalil\/\" title=\"View all posts by Diane Bou Khalil\">Diane Bou Khalil<\/a><\/span><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"sep\">\u00b7<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"pk-meta-date meta-date\"><a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/es\/2023\/04\/06\/chicago-rap-shouly-music-album\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">abril 6, 2023<\/a><\/span>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\t\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .post-inner -->\n\n\t\t\t<\/div><!-- .post-outer -->\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69db6c31b14c2\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI had full-time classes at UIC and a full-time internship at Arab American Family Services,\u201d Alhindi said. \u201cI used to go home after work and classes very tired. I would prepare a meal for my kids, eat together and then sit in my living room, help them with their homework and do my own homework, too. Because English is not my first language, it was hard for me. Whatever homework would take an American student one hour, it would take me four or five hours.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remembering some of those challenges is why Alhindi created the women empowerment group, to provide a support system to navigate these challenging spaces and dismantle the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stigma of mental health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alhindi introduced counseling and individual therapy sessions to MIRA two years ago because her clients expressed a dire need for Arabic therapy sessions. \u201cWe were not even funded [by any] grants, but I volunteered to do it because there was a need.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On a recent Wednesday, more than a dozen women gathered in the office for a workshop on financial wellness. During the session, Alhindi and Ekram Hanna guided the women through a two-hour-long session on personal finances, budgeting, and an overall orientation for new arrivals on essential ordinances in Illinois.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69db6c31b248c\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1280\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_03-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Ekram Hanna helps lead MIRA\u2019s women empowerment session with an orientation for new arrivals on Feb. 21, 2024. Hanna is MIRA\u2019s director of development and arrived in the U.S. in 2012 from Iraq with her husband and two daughters.<\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Diane Bou Khalil\/Borderless Magazine<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69db6c31b31d2\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Alhindi, MIRA offers various workshops and tailors support to the diverse needs of women and their families.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like Alhindi, Hanna, MIRA\u2019s development director and certified mental health first aid instructor, came from Iraq with her husband and two kids in 2012 on a Special Immigrant Visa.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many women and families are facing barriers with finances, language, culture, health, education and domestic violence. The women empowerment sessions are supposed to provide resources and information to address causes of stress while educating women to alleviate some of the anxiety and mental health challenges, Alhindi said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rana, a Syrian refugee who temporarily lived in Jordan before coming to Chicago, has attended workshops and community events since she learned about MIRA in 2022. Since the women\u2019s empowerment group launched last fall, Rana said it has helped her learn new skills, such as paying bills and learning about women\u2019s health. She said the support from MIRA transformed her life and helped her become an entrepreneur in two years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8220;They listened to me,\u201d Rana said. \u201dComing from a war then going to a foreign country \u2026 you vent to them, and they listen, and you are mentally and emotionally relaxed,&#8221; Rana said. &#8220;Ekram asked me what my dreams were, and I told her my dream was to open a business selling sweets. So she sent me to Muntaha.&#8221;\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rana started her own catering business. Rana and Lahlah have promoted their businesses at community bazaars organized by Alhindi.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MIRA has helped provide guidance and support on how to start a business for women like Rana, Alhindi said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThey need this push because they don&#8217;t have any family or friend support here. Sometimes you have to be that friend or family and show them support,\u201d Alhindi said.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"a-mental-and-emotional-support-system\"><strong>A mental and emotional support system<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For these women, MIRA\u2019s empowerment group has also provided a much-needed support system to process ongoing trauma from abroad.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many individuals who left Syria, Iraq and other countries experiencing dire socioeconomic challenges or war have been <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/2023\/12\/20\/gaza-palestine-israel-war-ceasefire-protests-chicago\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">triggered by the images emerging from Gaza.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Alhindi emphasized the importance of upholding community support during such times.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAfter six-year-old Palestinian-American boy Wadea Al-Fayoume was fatally stabbed by his landlord, some of my clients were afraid to leave the house with their kids,\u201d Alhindi said. \u201cOne of my clients didn\u2019t come in for four weeks and wanted to talk on the phone instead because she was scared for her and her son\u2019s safety.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many have admitted that their children have been subjected to bullying from their peers and teachers for being Palestinian but are afraid to report it to their school\u2019s administration, Alhindi said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MIRA has been providing resources to ensure these women and their families feel supported during this time, Alhindi said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAnother client told me she got yelled at on the street to take off her scarf and to go back to her country,\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alhindi said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the face of discrimination, Alhindi emphasizes that these women have rights. \u201cA right to defend yourself against discrimination,\u201d she said, noting racism against Arabs and Muslims in schools must be taken seriously. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf you face any discrimination and racism, you have the right to record it. If you don&#8217;t have the right resources, I tell them to contact me, and I will connect you with the right resources and the right support.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69db6c31b431c\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row article-image\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-12 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"img-with-aniamtion-wrap center\" data-max-width=\"100%\" data-max-width-mobile=\"default\" data-shadow=\"none\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" >\r\n      <div class=\"inner\">\r\n        <div class=\"hover-wrap\"> \r\n          <div class=\"hover-wrap-inner\">\r\n            <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-with-animation skip-lazy \" data-delay=\"0\" height=\"1280\" width=\"1920\" data-animation=\"fade-in\" src=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02.jpg\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-240x160.jpg 240w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-900x600.jpg 900w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-1500x1000.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-1245x830.jpg 1245w, https:\/\/borderlessmag.org\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/2024.03.05_MIRA_Web_02-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1450px) 75vw, (min-width: 1000px) 85vw, 100vw\" \/>\r\n         <\/div>\r\n      <\/div><span class=\"vc_figure-caption ccfic-text media-caption\">Alhindi said her advice to her clients is to understand that they have a right to defend themselves against discrimination. <\/span><span class=\"media-credit\">Diane Bou Khalil\/Borderless Magazine<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<div id=\"fws_69db6c31b511e\"  data-column-margin=\"default\" data-midnight=\"dark\"  class=\"wpb_row vc_row-fluid vc_row\"  style=\"padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; \"><div class=\"row-bg-wrap\" data-bg-animation=\"none\" data-bg-animation-delay=\"\" data-bg-overlay=\"false\"><div class=\"inner-wrap row-bg-layer\" ><div class=\"row-bg viewport-desktop\"  style=\"\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"row_col_wrap_12 col span_12 dark left\">\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-8 wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col padding-3-percent inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n<div class=\"wpb_text_column wpb_content_element \" >\n\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alhindi is eager to plan upcoming women empowerment sessions. She hopes her clients will take the lessons and teach others, form lasting friendships, and make a long-term successful adjustment to a new country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cComing here to these women&#8217;s sessions once a month is like a celebration to me,\u201d said <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reem <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Al Delatti, another attendee from Homs, Syria. She lived in Egypt for 15 years before coming to the U.S. in June of 2022 with her husband, two kids and her parents.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since arriving, Al Delatti said she spends most days caring for her ailing parents. The women\u2019s empowerment group has connected her with her community and created a bond of sisterhood with leaders like Alhindi. While her time is occupied with navigating the U.S. and caring for her parents, Al Delatti already sees opportunities to grow personally and professionally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The group has planted those seeds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cNinety percent of the time, I&#8217;m taking care of my family and parents,\u201d she said.\u00a0 \u201cBut one day, I will be like Rana, doing my own business.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n\n\t<div  class=\"vc_col-sm-2 vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs wpb_column column_container vc_column_container col no-extra-padding inherit_tablet inherit_phone \"  data-padding-pos=\"all\" data-has-bg-color=\"false\" data-bg-color=\"\" data-bg-opacity=\"1\" data-animation=\"\" data-delay=\"0\" >\n\t\t<div class=\"vc_column-inner\" >\n\t\t\t<div class=\"wpb_wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>La Alianza de Inmigrantes y Refugiados de Oriente Medio (MIRA) puso en marcha el pasado oto\u00f1o un grupo de empoderamiento femenino para fomentar la comunidad y ense\u00f1ar habilidades esenciales para la vida.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":21671,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[318],"tags":[554],"coauthors":[211],"class_list":{"0":"post-21727","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-culture","8":"tag-mira"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How A Nonprofit Empowers Middle Eastern Refugee Women &#8211; 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