You Belong Here Foundation was created to help new Americans 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 over 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 U.S.-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 nearly 30 years of experience, I believe that I am the perfect connector to bridge the gap between immigrants and mainstream society.
I launched You Belong Here Foundation as a response to my calling to help fellow new Americans 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 new Americans 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 build a culture of belonging and inclusive community, 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!
You Belong Here Foundation 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 U.S.-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 nearly 30 years of experience, I believe that I am the perfect connector to bridge the gap between immigrants and mainstream society.
I launched You Belong Here Foundation as a response to my calling to help fellow new Americans 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 new Americans 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 build a culture of belonging and inclusive community, 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!
You Belong Here Foundation and I invite you to join me in this journey.
WHO BELONGS HERE?
1st & 2nd generation New Americans 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 allies 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 Foundation because of my passion to create communities and my calling to help immigrants to live a wholehearted American Dream." |
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