Dear Colleagues:
This week’s election—and the 2016 presidential campaign—exposed deep divisions in our society and the need to mend our social fabric.
In the face of a deeply divided nation, all of us have a responsibility to do more, to reach outside our circles, to engage in tough conversations—and ultimately, to find common ground. We must do all we can to protect the fundamental rights and dignity of every person, regardless of where he or she was born. Now, more than ever, philanthropy must assert bold leadership and live up to its ideals of equity, diversity, and inclusiveness.
With your support and involvement, GCIR will strive to create space for candid and constructive dialogue that brings communities together, bridges racial and economic divides, and begins the process of healing. We will partner with diverse allies to support immigrant and refugee families and communities at the local and state level—and guard against the erosion of civil rights and liberties at the federal level. And we will remain steadfast in our mission of uplifting the contributions and addressing the needs of immigrants and refugees, while strengthening ties between newcomer and native-born communities.
This is a defining moment in our nation’s history. Let us stand together in defiance of hate and intolerance—and forge a path to a more hopeful and inclusive future for all.
On behalf of all of us at GCIR,
Daranee Petsod
President