International Neighbors

International Neighbors is a 501(c)(3) volunteer organization that works to equip refugee neighbors with the network and skills needed to move from surviving to thriving In Charlottesville. We believe that everyone can thrive if provided with proper skills and networks of support. We strive to foster integration, peace, respect, and love for all cultures and beliefs among the residents in our community. International Neighbors was founded in 2015 by Kari Anderson Miller, a local educator for 17 years. During that time, she gained valuable insight into the lives of refugee students and their families, who had been resettled to Charlottesville from 31 countries. Having been a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand, Kari could empathize with the challenges of learning to speak, read and write a foreign language while acquiring skills necessary to navigate a new society. While some of the refugee and SIV neighbors were achieving success, many were struggling in their new land—even choosing suicide—or returning to the dangers of their homeland. As the international neighbor population of Charlottesville grew to 6%- and knowledge about their existence remained minimal amongst locals- Ms. Miller launched International Neighbors in an effort to expose the challenges endured by “silent citizens” of our town, as well as to unveil the multitude of ways in which our community is more valuable because of them.

At International Neighbors we focus on four essential areas: Home, Health, Community, and Career. Our mission is to equip our refugee neighbors with the network and skills needed to move from surviving to thriving in Charlottesville. We realize this mission through our programs. Of course, the needs of refugees who have fled their home country are enormous. In many cases, our work with them from their arrival through achieving U.S. citizenship is all-encompassing and can’t fully be captured here. Ultimately we strive to be Great Neighbors supporting all of our community to thrive.