July 2023

South Dakota Voices For Peace
 
The Monthly


Mission:  South Dakota Voices for Peace builds power and enables healing in immigrant refugee, and Muslim communities by amplifying their voices in solidarity with all who dismantle bigotry and racism.

Vision:  We imagine a South Dakota that is diverse, inclusive, and anti-racist.

SDVFP has four programming areas: Education/Training, Outreach/Civic Engagement, Legal Services, and Rapid Response. 
Here are some of our exciting areas of impact:

LEGAL VICTORY!

We are excited to announce that two of our clients, José and Douglas, have received their work permits! They can now legally work and assert their right to fair wages. We are so proud of them and our incredible legal team, who help clients like this every day on their pathways to a better life.

Thanks to Nitza (the woman sitting), who is an incredible community ally! She supports and advocates for young immigrants by becoming a guardian for them, helping them on their pathway to U.S. citizenship.

We are so happy for José and Douglas, and know that they have a bright future ahead!

SDVFP is the only organization providing FREE legal immigration services to children in immigration court and immigrant survivors of crime. It is only through your generous support that we are able to share success stories like these! THANK YOU!

You can support our legal services department by making a donation here: https://www.sdvfpeace.org/donate.html 

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

With the recent Medicaid unwinding, many South Dakotans have lost healthcare coverage. If you or someone you know has been disenrolled in Medicaid, we want to hear your story! We have staff members who can communicate in Spanish, Arabic, and Dinka, or we can also find a translator! Your story can be shared anonymously. 

For more information, contact Gigi at [email protected]!

Over the past six months, our multilingual outreach team has connected with over 600 people to share information on Medicaid Expansion, Medicaid Unwinding, and the Affordable Connectivity Program! They have been busy in and around the city of Sioux Falls networking, canvassing, and participating in community events. Gigi and Voug are able to connect with community members in Arabic, Dinka, and Spanish.

If you know of any events that we could do community outreach at, please contact Gigi at [email protected]

We have a TON of outreach events coming up in the month of August! Stay tuned to our social media to keep up to date!

Learn more about our outreach efforts here:

Affordable Connectivity Program: https://www.sdvfpeace.org/acp.html

Medicaid Expansion: https://www.sdvfpeace.org/medicaid-expansion.html

AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM

We are continuing our work with the Affordable Connectivity Program! Learn more at: https://www.sdvfpeace.org/acp.html or contact Ashlyn at [email protected]

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Jen, our Chief Operations Officer, gave two of her presentations at the South Dakota Education Association Conference at Augustana University. Jen gave an awesome presentation about creating inclusive classroom environments for religious minorities. She also gave her bystander to UPSTANDER intervention training, which empowers listeners to disrupt incidents of hate and bigotry. Jen is an amazing and engaging speaker!

If you are interested in having Jen give either of these presentations, please email her at [email protected]

STAY COOL with HOT SWAG!

Our online store is open!  You can either pick up your purchases here at our offices or choose to have them mailed to you! All proceeds from our online store directly benefit our organization! 

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION