You Belong Here was created to help women be seen, be heard, and belong.
FOUNDER PORCIA'S STORY
In Taiwan, I was a well-known child actor. Yet when I arrived in America with my parents forty years ago, I felt like a nothing – like I no longer existed or belonged to anything.
I did not choose to start over in a foreign country, learn a new language, find new friends, adapt to a new culture. I did not choose to live life as an outsider.
Growing up in mostly white communities in Colorado was not easy, especially before I mastered the English language. Doing it on top of navigating through my teenage years was even more challenging. Completing university, constantly trying to manage the landmines of expectations and projections was exhausting, but I survived and thrived.
I struggled through professional advancement without native-born parents’ guidance or access to the rules of the game at work - or a seat at the table. As a foreign-born professional, I had no mentors to help me establish business networks. Yet I became a nonprofit innovator and leader. With twenty years of experience, I believe that I am the perfect connector to bridge the gap between immigrants and nonprofits.
I launched You Belong Here as a response to my calling to help fellow immigrant women live a wholehearted American Dream. I believe civic engagement sparks a sense of belonging – and that this response is the essence of true leadership. This is urgent action - having immigrants at the table and in positions of power is essential in today’s political era, racism, and xenophobia. I want to share my personal stories – of triumphs, lessons learned, effective strategies to help you find your personal passion, to create a purposeful life and vocation.
Will you share your story with me?
I am a flaming optimist who believes in the goodness of people.
I believe we are equal despite our birthplace, skin color, accents, class, education, and other perceived differences. I know we can create new stories together!
I believe that You Belong Here and I invite you to join me in this journey.
I did not choose to start over in a foreign country, learn a new language, find new friends, adapt to a new culture. I did not choose to live life as an outsider.
Growing up in mostly white communities in Colorado was not easy, especially before I mastered the English language. Doing it on top of navigating through my teenage years was even more challenging. Completing university, constantly trying to manage the landmines of expectations and projections was exhausting, but I survived and thrived.
I struggled through professional advancement without native-born parents’ guidance or access to the rules of the game at work - or a seat at the table. As a foreign-born professional, I had no mentors to help me establish business networks. Yet I became a nonprofit innovator and leader. With twenty years of experience, I believe that I am the perfect connector to bridge the gap between immigrants and nonprofits.
I launched You Belong Here as a response to my calling to help fellow immigrant women live a wholehearted American Dream. I believe civic engagement sparks a sense of belonging – and that this response is the essence of true leadership. This is urgent action - having immigrants at the table and in positions of power is essential in today’s political era, racism, and xenophobia. I want to share my personal stories – of triumphs, lessons learned, effective strategies to help you find your personal passion, to create a purposeful life and vocation.
Will you share your story with me?
I am a flaming optimist who believes in the goodness of people.
I believe we are equal despite our birthplace, skin color, accents, class, education, and other perceived differences. I know we can create new stories together!
I believe that You Belong Here and I invite you to join me in this journey.
WHO BELONGS HERE?
IMMIGRANT WOMEN and THOSE WHO IDENTIFY WITH and EMBRACE IMMIGRANTS.
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Feeling like outsiders at meetings because of your accent, skin color, education, class, race or ethnicity
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Sharing a deep hunger to making a difference in the world but not sure where to start
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Yearning for something more – more life clarity, more significance, more meaningful work or second act
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Searching for a diverse tribe of women who accept you for who you are and celebrate each other’s differences
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"I decided I had to launch You Belong Here because of my passion to create communities and my calling to help women to live a wholehearted American Dream." |
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