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From YouTube: Welcome, Neighbor: Ivonne Smith-Tapia
Description
On the fifth episode of Welcome, Neighbor, you can hear Ivonne Smith-Tapia's story. Her experience has been instrumental to her success as the new Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services at Jewish Family & Community Services.
A
Hi,
everyone
hi.
How
are
you
so
glad
you
are
here
good?
Thank
you,
I'm
so
ex
of
course.
Of
course,
I
am
excited
for
our
conversation
and
I
hope
again.
This
is
just
first
of
many
right,
even
out
of
the
recording,
but
we
just
spoke
with
leslie
some
time
ago
and
I'm
excited
to
talk
to
you
because
you
are
the
future
right
of
refugee
resentment
and
agency,
and
thank
you
for
giving
us
the
opportunity
to
speak
to
you
about
this
first.
A
B
So
hello,
everyone
and
my
name
is
yvonne
smith
tapia
and
I'm
not
from
pittsburgh.
As
you
can
notice,
in
my
accent
I'm
from
colombia
in
south
america
and
we
moved
to
pittsburgh
because
of
my
husband's
job.
He
found
a
good
job
opportunity,
and
so
we
moved-
and
it
was
maybe
eight
years
ago
and
we
haven't
left.
A
Oh,
that's
incredible!
It's
a
finale!
Also,
I'm
just
so
excited
to
talk
to
you.
I
forgot
to
introduce
myself
to
people
hey
guys
thanks
sean
aquinto
here,
and
I
manage
our
welcoming
pittsburgh
initiative
from
mayo,
padua,
as
you
can
see,
I'm
excited
for
our
guest
and
it
was
like
I'm
just
gonna
jump
right
in
but
anyway.
So
thanks
ivan
okay,
you've
been
here
for
eight
years,
and
you
came
here
from
colombia
because
of
your
husband's
job.
A
B
So
before
moving
to
pittsburgh,
I
was
working
very
actively
in
colombia
in
different
areas.
I'm
a
cultural
anthropologist,
so
in
colombia,
anthropologists
have
the
opportunity
to
connect
organizations,
government,
especially
organizations
and
government
programs
that
want
to
work
with
communities,
but
don't
know
how
so
anthropologists
give
them
the
kind
of
tools
and
strategies,
and
we
create
programs
to
allow
them
to
understand
the
needs
of
the
community
to
make
sure
that
both
the
community
and
the
agencies
and
government
are
finding
some
wins
and
benefiting
for
the
programs
that
are
going
to
be
implemented.
B
So
that
was
kind
of
my
background.
I
work
with
community
development.
I
work
with
diverse
communities
in
colombia
within
colombia
and
I
had
that
background.
So
when
I
moved
to
pittsburgh,
it
was
quite
difficult
to
find
a
job.
I
think
he
in
my
experience.
Hopefully
all
things
have
changed,
and
hopefully
immigrants
and
refugees
are
not
facing
these
barriers
as
often,
but
it
was
hard
for
me
to
find
a
position
because
of
my
experience
for
over
10
years
was
in
colombia.
B
So
then,
that's
kind
of
like
my
background
and
then
before,
like
when
I
moved
here,
so
I
decided
to
do
an
msw
to
for
several
reasons,
one
to
prove
to
people
that
I
had
like
a
university
from
the
united
states
in
my
resume,
but
also
to
and
kind
of
to
reaffirm
people
like.
I
know
some
things,
but
also
to
really
to
get
to
know
the
city
to
get
to
know
the
needs
and
to
understand
better,
my
new
home.
So
it
was,
I
think,
a
great
decision
and
that's
actually
how
I
came
to.
B
A
And
that
is
amazing
how
we
came
full
circle
yeah
we
started
as
an
intern
and
now
look
you're
the
director
of
this
program.
That
is,
that
is
incredible,
and
so
I
actually
now
the
question
is
a
little
bit
funny,
because
now
I
understand
why
refugee
resentment,
I
mean
you're,
a
cultural
anthropologist
for
anyone
listening
and
you're
like
what
can
I
study?
B
If
I
can
say
something
more
around
that
it's
I
yes
in
colombia,
we
have
been
dealing
with
an
internal
conflict
for
so
many
years,
so
I
experienced
that
part
in
a
personal
way
as
well.
In
colombia.
We
have
a
lot
of
internal
displaced
people
that
are
forced
to
leave
their
homes
in
the
countryside
and
move
to
other
cities,
but
also
to
leave
the
country
and
find
refugee
status
in
other
countries.
So
I
grew
up
in
with
an
internal
conflict
with
violence
and
and
things
that
are
really
close
to
my
heart.
B
I
so
to
me
moving
from
that
context
to
working
here
with
refugee
and
immigrants
is
really
also
a
personal
issue
that
I
have
a
commitment
when
I
was
working
in
colombia
with
people
that
were
displaced,
but
also
now
working
in
another
country.
I
understand
from
a
personal
experience,
as
well
as
an
immigrant
what
it
really
means
to
live
in
another
country,
even
though
my
conditions
are
different,
but
I
have
like
this
professional
kind
of
knowledge,
but
also
like
a
personal
connection
to
these
issues.
A
I'm
just
going
to
imagine
not
not
be
naive,
but
let's
say
five
years
from
now.
What
is
one
policy
that
you
want
to
see
be
implemented
and
it
could
be
government?
It
could
be
corporations
that
maybe
would
help
move
the
work
of
refugee
resettlement
forward,
and
you
could
answer
as
being
the
current
director
or
even
as
again
with
your
masters
in
social
work
and
and
other
places
that
you've
worked.
What
is
something
that
you've
seen
has
been
a
huge
hurdle.
B
For
instance,
if
you
find
a
job
like
it's
a
entry-level
job
for
a
refugee
family
that
employer
that
company
is
not
really
thinking
of
the
other
aspects
of
the
refugees
life,
it's
not
thinking
that
this
person
will
benefit
from
learning
english.
But
do
I
that's
the
schedule
that
I'm
providing
for
this
employee
allowing
him
or
her
to
attend
esl
classes?
B
So
for
me
it's
how
policies?
How
can
we
implement
policies
that
allow
us
better
to
connect
businesses
with
the
government
programs
with
the
services
that
the
organizations
like
as
resettlement
agencies
provide,
but
also
the
other
supports
that
they
have
access
to
right
like
they
can
have?
They
is
not
because
we
don't
have
a
lack
of
services
in
many
ways.
The
services
are
there,
but
are
not
really
communicating
with
each
other.
B
A
No,
that
that
makes
a
lot
of
sense
about
him,
I'm
thinking
of
of
isaac
right
for
those
immigrant
services
and
connection,
that
is
this
five
agency
work
and,
and
what
you're
saying
is
make
me
think
of.
Can
you
imagine
isaac
for
all
of
this
partners
that
you're
talking
about
right?
Where
you
have
human
services
transportation
corporations
government,
just
like
the
streamlined
process
of
isaac,
allows
you
to
communicate
with
all
of
these
partners
at
once,
rather
than
dealing
with
individuals
right.
That
is.
B
B
So
if
you
have
someone
that
is
really
someone
directing
an
office
or
a
a
person
in
human
resources
that
it's
that
knows
more
about
refugee
and
immigrants
and
understands
the
barriers
and
has
this
awareness
and
sensibility
to
work
with
diverse
communities,
things
move
better
right
or
you
can
make
progress
faster
and
easily,
but
it's
because
that
person,
but
if
that
person
lives,
then
you
are
like.
Oh
my
god
now
I
have
to.
B
The
train
again
because
the
processes
are
not
there,
things
happen
because
of
that
person,
willingness
and
it
happens
across
every
industry.
So
I
think
that's
why
I
think
more
structural,
more
processes,
because
that
shouldn't
depend
on
me
or
you
or
that
human
resources
person
it
should
be
in
the
company's
values
right.
A
B
A
A
I
want
to
switch
gears
a
little
bit.
I
want
to
talk
about
you
personally
right.
You
came
into
this
work
as
director
and
as
director
you
you're
carrying
a
lot.
I
mean,
I
think,
I'm
trying
to
remember
time
back,
I
think
lizzie
said
I
mean
gscs
has
grown
a
lot
like
you're
carrying
a
team,
different
apartments.
A
I
just
want
to
dig
into
that
a
lot,
especially
I'm
coming
from
somewhere
personal,
where
I'm
thinking
wow,
you
know,
like,
I
feel
like
there's
this
juggle.
I
know
we've
talked
a
little
bit
about
as
a
mom,
where
you
just
you're
going
to
give
your
heart.
I
mean
just
talking
to
you.
You
can
tell
you're
passionate
about
this
and
because
of
that
passion,
and
because
of
that
personal
connection,
you're
going
to
give
your
all
to
this
work,
but
yet
you
have
a
family.
You
have
an
incredible
young
boy
as
well.
A
B
I
wouldn't
be
in
this
role
without
the
support
of
my
family
and
my
husband
also,
but
my
extended
family,
my
mom,
and
dad,
because
I'm
still
in
a
waiting
list
for
childcare
and
of
course
there
are
child
cares,
but
some
child
care
is
available
but
childcare.
It's
a
it's
an
issue
and
with
covet
and
all
of
this
pandemic
situation,
I
think
for
parents
it's
harder
to
make
the
decision
to
send
their
kids
to
just
anywhere
just
because
they
have
an
opening.
B
Now
parents,
as
me
and
my
husband
are
thinking-
is
this
daycare
safe?
Is
this
daycare?
Has
the
ventilation
that
they
need
to
have
is
that
they
can
has
the
ratio
between
kids
and
and
and
teacher
the
way
that
it's
safe
and
some
of
the
trackers
don't
have
them.
So
I
took
a
break
from
the
workforce
last
year
because
I
decided
that
I
didn't
have
the
in
that
time.
My
parents
here
with
me
and
I
didn't
want
to
send
lucas
to
a
child
care.
B
So
for
me,
the
balance
is
not
really
a
balance
and
I
think
it's
important
for
women
and
also
for
fathers
to
talk
about
that,
because
I
think
that
it's
an
illusion
and
women
are
pressured
to
say
that
they
have
balance
between
life,
personal
life
and
work
and
that's
the
idea,
the
benchmark
and
then,
if
you've
seen
me
or
like,
if
a
woman
seems
that
they
are
being
working
too
hard.
The
advice
is
you
need
to
find
personal
time
for
you
and
self-care
like
when?
How?
How
is
that
going?
That's.
A
B
B
B
A
A
It
takes
a
village
right,
that's
what
you're
saying
it's
a
it's,
a
village
that
allows
you
as
a
working
mom
to
do
what
you
do
right
so
again.
It
leads
me
to
this
question
as
the
new
director-
and
this
is
probably
a
lot
of
pressure,
feel
free
to
be
like.
I
am
so
freaked
right
now,
but
like
what
is
like
your
first
order
of
business,
you
know
all
of
these
challenges.
A
B
Know
I
haven't
gotten
that
far
because
my
first
goal-
the
first
thing
that
I
want
to
do,
is
that
I
want
to
experience
the
programs
that
we
are
currently
have
in
place
to
see
how
they
work,
because
I
have
read
a
lot
of
documents.
I
have
been
in
meetings,
but
I
want
to
really
experience
the
way
that
families
experience
or
the
way
that
staff
are
implementing
the
program.
B
B
Excited
for
that,
because
it's
going
to
be
my
first
time
being
part
of
that
process,
so
I
am
very
excited.
So
that's
one
of
my
first
goals
and
my
second
goal
is
to
listen.
I
I
am
lucky
that
I
joined
a
strong
organization
with
a
strong
team,
so
I
don't
arrive.
I
didn't
arrive
to
this
position,
thinking
that
I
am
the
one
that
knows
more
and
and
knows
like
the
solutions.
B
I
am
working
with
a
team
that
is
very
good,
that
they
have
expertise
and
they
have
knowledge.
So
my
second
goal
for
the
first
few
months
is
to
listen
to
them
to
hear
what
they
their
the
barriers
that
I
also
see
in
this
work
and
their
goals
that
they
have
and
as
a
collective
group
identify
what
are
the
priorities
and
of
course
we
already
have
some
ideas
and
priorities,
but
I
I
don't
want
to
start
saying
like
these
one.
B
A
That's
well
said
you
actually
answered.
That's
it.
The
first
rule
of
order
is
one
experience,
the
organization
right
from
the
very
beginning
to
how
he
even
gets
to
to
your
table.
I
think
that's
that's
true
signs
of
a
leader
that
you
are
of
a
great
leader
and
to
rely
on
on
your
team,
and
you
have
a
great
team,
an
incredible
team.
So
that's
exciting.
A
So
I
want
to
ask
you:
how
could
people
like
follow
or
get
in
touch
with
you
as
a
person
they
want
to
learn
from
you
even
follow
again
the
things
that
you
said
you
want
to
see
happen
like
communities
playing
a
huge
role
in
the
resettlement.
How
could
people
look
forward
to
hey
when
is
the
opportunity
going
to
be
posted
so
as
a
family
as
an
individual?
I
want
to
help.
Is
there
an
email?
Is
there
something
people
could
sign
up.
B
I
think
the
best
ways
to
follow
jfcs
in
their
social
media-
they
are
very
active
in.
We
are
very
active
in
sharing
on
facebook
and
instagram
and
twitter,
the
news
of
all
of
our
programs,
not
only
refugee
resettlement,
but
also
the
work
that
we
do:
mental
health,
youth,
the
career
development
center
and
all
of
the
other
departments
that
we
have
within
the
organization
and
I'm
trying
to
be
more
active
on
my
social
media,
especially
linkedin,
because
I
think
that's
a
good
platform
to
really
share
things
about
work.
B
And
so
I'm
there
have
been
trying
to
post
more
and
and
be
more
active.
But
I
think
the
best
way
we
actually
have
like
a
genius
sign
up-
and
I
I
don't
know
if
we're
saying
it
right,
I'm
saying
it
right.
It's
like
at
list
when
we
for
when
a
refugee
family
arrives
to
to
pittsburgh.
There
are
so
many
items
that
we
need
to
get
for
them.
B
So
if
people
want
to
donate
or
want
to
buy
any
of
the
items
or
even
give
us
a
gift
card
that
will
be
lovely
and
the
organization
share,
those
on
facebook
and
social
media,
and
we
tell
them,
there
is
a
new
family
arriving
from
iraq
or,
like
we
tell
a
little
bit
of
the
family
and
those
are
the
things
that
you
can
sign
up
to
to
buy.
And
then
our
team
coordinates
with
every
person
to
make
the
process
smooth
for
them
to
get
the
things
to
the
family.
A
B
A
On
sweet
talk
on
instagram,
okay,
so
different
ways
and
again,
if
you're
not
on
social
media,
follow
yvonne
on
linkedin
and
you
look
at
the
information
you
need
as
well
so
ron.
Thank
you
so
much
for
your
time
before
I
let
you
go.
Is
there
any
last
minute
comments?
Anything
you
want
to
say
before
we
let
you
go.