Dear Friend, Growing up as an Irish-American in Boston, I’ve become accustomed to the many festivities leading up to St. Patrick’s Day. Since I was a boy, I’ve known every word to every song, and enjoyed singing along. Yet, two Sundays ago I was struck by a song that we don’t often hear in Boston – Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears. I have not been able to stop thinking about it. Working at Rian Immigrant Center, it’s not just the words of the sad old Irish tune that struck me, but rather it underscored the current contradiction amongst those who fail to see the similarities between our Irish immigrant ancestors, and the new arrivals who have come here over the past year. We have seen major news outlets refer to new arrivals as “invaders.” Yet, in these facilities I’ve seen no invaders. Just rooms filled with pregnant women and children, sometimes sitting on cold linoleum floors, not knowing where they’ll be sent next. Consider one such “invader” that went by the name of Annie Moore. In January of 1892, Annie came from County Cork, Ireland to become the very first immigrant to come through Ellis Island. At the age of 17, she brought her young brothers across an ocean, fleeing a home to which they would never return. Annie is a symbol of what it means to be American, and her story is almost exactly the same as so many thousands we see now coming to Massachusetts seeking refuge. The only difference is that Anna was Irish. As we end this St. Patrick’s Day season, please join us in honoring Annie, and all the other new arrivals, with a gift to Rian Immigrant Center's Annual Fund. Your support will enable us to continue to provide legal services, behavioral health, and adult education to immigrant communities everywhere. Please consider making a gift to Rian today because, just as Annie came, so shall others come, and Rian will be there to help. I hope you see Annie’s face in the faces of all new arrivals who have come here, and extend to them that old Irish phrase, céad míle fáilte. Sincerely, Jacob D. Bombard Executive Director DONATE TO RIAN TODAY   At Rian Immigrant Center, we are building a society where all are welcome, and all are valued. Join us today.   Rian Immigrant Center | 1 State Street, Suite 800, Boston, MA 02109 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] powered by Try email marketing for free today!