Volunteer Spotlight: Laura Mcbride and Tom Tichy

Laura McBride and Tom Tichy are two of our volunteers in our Cleveland office that we would like to recognize for their hard work. Building upon the notion of helping others, Laura and Tom are firm believers in the idea of welcoming New Americans to the United States. A former refugee himself, Tom immigrated to the United States from the Czech Republic in 1997, and recently became a citizen. Tom and Laura feel strongly about providing for the community; they understand that refugee resettlement and integration have been politicized in recent years, which is why they want to do their part to support the program. Laura’s experience as an attorney helps her navigate the various bureaucratic processes that can be viewed as otherwise daunting experiences. Having kids of their own, the couple was more than equipped to mentor a family. Through our mentorship program, Laura and Tom have been working with a Syrian family since October. The couple was paired with the family to practice English, show them around Cleveland, and offer general support. The family has enjoyed trips to the zoo and to Mapleside Farms, a local apple orchard that frequently hosts family friendly festivals and events. In addition to these excursions, the couple regularly hosts dinner and game nights. Time is also spent reviewing tasks such as sorting through mail and understanding bills. It is very clear that the couple has a strong relationship with the family built on trust and have become integral to the success of the family and the US Together mentorship program. The couple exemplifies what it means to welcome families who are beginning a successful journey as New Americans.