Kandelia

01/16/2026

Join Kandelia’s mission to remove barriers to opportunities for immigrant and refugee communities in Seattle! We’re seeking an Administrative Coordinator who will play a key support
role for daily operations across finance, HR, communications, programs, and development. This full-time position is perfect for an organized, detail-oriented team player who thrives in a collaborative, multicultural environment. In this role you’ll gain cross-functional experience and training for all of the behind-the-scenes work that makes our programs possible.

This full-time position offers a generous benefits and vacation package. We especially encourage applications from candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, and who bring multilingual skills or lived experience that connects with the communities we serve.

kandelia.org/careers

12/31/2025

This year, newcomers like Vera, Vidia, Silvia, Merida and Leslie (https://www.kandelia.org/stories/) have faced enormous challenges. They’ve also shown incredible courage, curiosity, and determination. From adjusting to a new country, navigating school in a new language, and pursuing their goals despite uncertainty, they remind us why Kandelia and organizations like us exist: to provide every student the opportunities and support they deserve to succeed.

Your gift today supports Kandelia’s programs: English and digital literacy classes, job readiness, mentorship, and more. More importantly, it ensures Kandelia can be there when our immigrant and refugee neighbors need help navigating unexpected challenges. From connections for legal advice when a caregiver is detained, to financial assistance for groceries after a home is flooded, Kandelia is there to listen and help remove barriers for our students and families.

Donate Now and join Kandelia in support and solidarity with our immigrant and refugee neighbors. https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905

From all of us at Kandelia, thank you!

12/24/2025

Please donate to Kandelia this holiday season and help immigrant students like Merida as they adjust to life and school in Seattle. Your gift provides everything from Beginner English classes to warm clothes for students who aren’t quite prepared for their first Seattle winter. https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905

Merida knew almost nothing about Seattle when faced with the choice of whether to move here—not even how to spell it. Her dad was already living here, and he told her that it rained a lot, that it was cold, and that people were very kind. He also shared that compared to other places in the U.S., Seattle is more welcoming and has more opportunities for immigrants, so Merida decided to make the move and join him.

Merida’s first thought when she arrived? “I’m in a freezer!” When she got off the airplane she was wearing a jacket, gloves, and a hat, and still still she was shaking. “It was like a shock because I’m from a warm climate.” While she’s learned to tolerate the cold, she still thinks Seattle is a bit of a freezer and says her dad was right about the weather.

She also agrees with her dad’s assessment that the people here are kind. “I use public transportation all the time, and I’ve never suffered from racism or felt discriminated against, so that’s why I appreciate Seattle. I think it’s a warm place for me, in this case. How ironic.” Sometimes people are almost too friendly for introverted Merida. “I feel like every time they have the opportunity, they smile at you! Sometimes I’m waiting for my bus and people come up to me and tell me to have a nice day, and in my head I’m like ‘What? I don’t even know you.’’’

At school Merida is enrolled in Running Start, taking classes at a local community college alongside her studies at Seattle World School. Pre-calculus, she says, is “almost a nightmare,” but she needs the credits so she keeps at it. The idea of choosing a career pathway after high school feels daunting. “It’s a big decision I have to make, and I’m afraid of making a mistake.” She’s taking some college classes in the social sciences to help explore her options.

At first, one of her college classes was hard to follow. Her professor used a lot of slang and phrases that Merida found difficult. “At first I didn’t understand anything. The only phrase he said all the time that I understood was ‘You know what I’m saying?’ And I’d think, ‘No, I don’t understand.’” Over time she got used to his way of speaking, and now they’re learning about experiments that are interesting. Merida laughed while explaining how scientists taught a rat to play basketball.

Outside the classroom Merida is creative and thoughtful. She’s often busy these days with high school and college courses, but when she has free time she loves to draw while listening to music, especially rock. “Ninety-five percent of the songs in my playlist are by Queen,” she says. At home, she likes spending time with her family either just talking or watching movies. Their favorites are comedies, she says, especially ones with Adam Sandler.

Every year since Merida enrolled at Seattle World School she has participated in Kandelia’s summer program, where students earn credit towards graduation, practice English, and learn content for core classes. She says the program helped her be more outgoing and open up about things when she was new, and she appreciates that Kandelia staff are really warm and welcoming. The program, run in collaboration with school staff, also helped Merida get to know her teachers before the school year began. She especially valued learning from teachers who have lived the experiences they teach about. A history class about Africa, led by a teacher from the continent, gave her insights she hadn’t had before.

Merida has come a long way since she first arrived in the “freezer” we Seattleites call home. While she’s not yet sure about the career path she plans to pursue after high school, she’s certain about one thing—the advice she’d offer to newcomers in Seattle. “Always have an umbrella or something waterproof.”

With the help of Kandelia and the community she has found here, Merida is finding her way. With your gift, Kandelia can continue providing the classes, mentorship, and encouragement immigrant students need to work towards their dream future. Please donate today and help ensure more students have the support they deserve.
https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905

12/21/2025

When Leslie came to Seattle, she arrived with fear, hope, and a determination to learn English and build a future she couldn’t yet fully imagine. Her story shows courage in the face of uncertainty, and it’s also a reminder of how much support matters when a young person is starting over in a new country. A gift to Kandelia helps provide mentorship, English classes, and career exploration opportunities to help students like Leslie succeed in school and prepare for their future.
https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905

Leslie had one week to decide whether to come to the United States. Her aunt and uncle, already living in Seattle, said they’d support her to come if she wanted to help accompany her two younger cousins. In the end, her goal of learning English was the deciding factor. “Here I’m going to learn English faster,” Leslie says, “There, I’d stay the same.” Still, she was nervous. She’d heard that the U.S. isn’t always welcoming to English learners. “More than anything else, if you come here they judge you for not speaking English.”

Leslie says that when she first arrived in Seattle she was afraid. “I’m not going to lie, I was kind of shaking.” She didn't have very many expectations about Seattle, but when she arrived it all just felt so different from what she was used to. “I’m also from a city, but not like this. When I got here I just saw buildings, buildings, buildings.”

Making friends has made the biggest difference in adjusting to life in Seattle. “When I got here,” Leslie says, “everything was in English. And I was like, ‘What about me, stuck in the corner?’ But then I started to get to know other people from other countries. We talked and I said to myself, ‘I can adapt over time. Let’s give it a chance.’ They told me that I would get used to it, that I would see.”

Even though she’s still fairly new to Seattle, Leslie has found her comfort zone at Seattle World School—a place where speaking English doesn’t feel scary. At home she can get shy or embarrassed trying to speak English, but not at school. “Here, I can be myself trying to speak English. If my classmates don’t understand me, they’ll correct me.” Being at school with others going through the same thing makes it easier.

Kandelia’s programs have also helped. Leslie has taken Beginner English and English Conversation classes, and appreciates that in Kandelia’s classes they get support without judgement. “No matter what level of English someone has at the beginning, they get encouragement that it’s ok and that they can learn,” she says. In Kandelia’s programs she’s focused on her learning goals. “If you come here, it’s for a reason, and you have to study. It’s not like I come here because I want to waste time.”

Leslie has thought a lot about the impact she wants to make in her career one day. She’s most interested in studying law or psychology, both careers where she thinks understanding other people’s perspectives is important. If she pursues psychology she’s particularly interested in supporting teenagers. “I understand how they think,” she says, “I want to support them in those moments when they don't have anyone else, so they don't have to keep things to themselves.” She may be young, but her goals show maturity and a genuine desire to make a difference.

For now, Leslie is taking her time getting used to her new surroundings and figuring out what her life can look like here. Each week, she’s settling in a little more - finding routines, meeting new friends, and gaining confidence in the process. She may not have everything mapped out yet, but she’s built a solid start in the short time she’s been here.

If Leslie could give advice to someone new coming to Seattle, she’d keep it simple: “More than anything, don’t be afraid to come to a place you don’t know. Once you’ve arrived you’ll look back and realize you’ve learned more than you ever expected.” From her own experiences she knows that overcoming the challenges of moving to a new place will make you less afraid about the future.

Leslie’s journey is still unfolding, but the support she’s received has already made a lasting difference. With your donation, Kandelia can continue offering opportunities and community for students who are finding their footing in a new place. Thank you for supporting this work!

https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905

12/17/2025

“To all who are listening today, I want to say this: never underestimate the strength that's born when you love your family and when you dream of a different future.”

Today’s story was written by Silvia, a mother in Kandelia’s Family Program. She shares her experience leaving behind her home country and the support she’s found in Seattle. Your donation this holiday season helps us support mothers like Silvia who’ve made the difficult decision to seek safety and a better future for their children. https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905

We're sharing her story here in Spanish first, and in English below.

Hoy quiero compartir una parte de mi historia. No lo hago solo por mí, sino por todas las personas que, como yo, algún día tuvieron que dejar su tierra para buscar un futuro mejor.

En el año 2018 salí de mi país Venezuela, junto a mi hijo menor. La situación que vivíamos era muy dura: la escasez de alimentos, los constantes cortes de luz, la falta de agua, la inseguridad… Recuerdo que estuvimos tres días buscando carne o pollo y no encontramos nada. Solo queso. Y con eso comíamos todos los días. Esa fue la realidad que finalmente me obligó a tomar una decisión: salir. Dejar atrás a mi familia, mi casa, mi vida. Como tantas familias latinas que, por necesidad, han tenido que comenzar de nuevo en un lugar desconocido.

Primero llegamos a Perú. Luego, en 2022, tuvimos la oportunidad de reunirnos con mi hija en Seattle. Una vez más, salimos con lo poco que cabía en dos maletas, pero esta vez con el corazón lleno de emoción: mis hijos volverían a estar juntos y yo conocería a mi primera nieta. Hoy ya son dos. Sabía que nos esperaba un nuevo reto, nuevas costumbres y un nuevo idioma. Pero también sabía que no estaba sola.

Gracias a mi hijo, conocí Seattle World School y después la organización Kandelia. Allí descubrí algo que necesitaba profundamente: apoyo, guía, acompañamiento. En Kandelia pude estudiar computación y obtener mi primer certificado en Estados Unidos. También estudié inglés, y aunque todavía me queda mucho por aprender, ahora puedo defenderme y avanzar. Porque cuando a las personas se les dan herramientas, pueden transformar su vida.

Por eso quiero agradecer a todo el personal y a todas las personas que hacen posible esta organización. Gracias por creer en los inmigrantes. Gracias por apoyar a las familias latinas. Gracias por ofrecernos oportunidades que cambian el rumbo de nuestras vidas.

Mi historia es solo una entre miles. Pero si algo he aprendido como madre soltera, como latina y como inmigrante, es que sí podemos salir adelante. Podemos luchar por lo que queremos. Podemos aportar a este país que nos abrió las puertas. Y podemos hacerlo con fe, con trabajo, con amor y con la esperanza de que nuestros hijos vivirán una vida mejor.

A quienes hoy están escuchando, quiero decirles: nunca subestimen la fuerza que nace cuando se ama a la familia y cuando se sueña con un futuro diferente. Cada paso, incluso los más difíciles, nos acercan a una nueva oportunidad.

Muchas gracias.

Today I want to share a part of my story. I do this not only for me, but for all the people who, like me, one day had to leave their home in order to find a better future.

In the year 2018, I left my country, Venezuela, together with my younger son. The situation we were living in was very hard: the scarcity of food, the constant cutting of lights, the lack of water, the insecurity. I remember we were looking for three days for meat or chicken and we found none. Only cheese. And we ate that every day. That was the realization that finally forced me to make a decision: to leave. To leave behind my family, my home, my life, like so many Latino families who, by necessity, have had to start new in an unfamiliar place.

First we arrived in Peru. Later, in 2022, we had the opportunity to reunite with my daughter in Seattle. One more time, we left with the little that fit in two suitcases, but this time with a heart full of emotion: my children would be together and I would know my first granddaughter. Today she is already two. I knew what was waiting for us was a new challenge, new customs, and a new language. But I also knew I was not alone.

Thanks to my son, I met Seattle World School and later, the organization Kandelia. There I discovered something that I needed profoundly: support, guidance, companionship. At Kandelia I could study computing and get my first certificate in the United States. I also studied English, and while there is still a lot for me to learn, now I can advocate for myself and advance. Because when people are given the tools, they can transform their life.

That's why I want to thank all the staff and people who make this organization possible. Thank you for believing in immigrants. Thank you for supporting Latino families. Thank you for offering us opportunities that change the course of our lives.

My story is only one among thousands. But if there's anything I have learned as a single mother, as a Latina, as an immigrant, is that we can get ahead. We can fight for what we want. We can contribute to this country that has opened doors for us. And we can do it with faith, with work, with love and with the hope that our children will live a better life.

To all who are listening today, I want to say this: never underestimate the strength that's born when you love your family and when you dream of a different future. Each step, including the most difficult, moves us closer to a new opportunity.

Thank you so much.

12/10/2025

Our immigrant and refugee students are full of potential, and like all students they need and deserve support and access to opportunities. Please donate to Kandelia and help provide the resources and programs our young people need - especially in these uncertain times.

Read on for our second story in Kandelia’s Roots & Routes series, where we share about Vera, his love for animals, and the future he’s working towards.

Animals have always played a central role in Vera’s life. Growing up on a relatively remote island, he collected animal figurines and rescued stray dogs, cats, and even turtles. “We lived in a rural area,” he shares, “so people would purposely dump puppies and kittens near our house. Every time we would go out, we would hear meows and tiny barks, and we'd rescue them.” Throughout his life Vera has cared for countless animals, but perhaps the most important was Ocho, a beloved dog named after the number 8 for the round shape of his body. “Ocho was a really huge part of my childhood, a friend of mine,” he shares. When life felt hard or the academic pressure (common in the Philippines, Vera says) felt like too much to handle, Vera took comfort in Ocho.

Vera’s parents first introduced the idea of moving to the United States when he was in ninth grade, framing it as an opportunity for better education and future prospects. At the time, he resisted the idea, unsure it would ever actually happen. It wasn’t until the move was weeks away that it all became real. When his family flew to the U.S., it was Vera’s first time leaving the Philippines and all his loved ones. It was especially hard leaving Ocho, who had recently developed a brain tumor. Despite seeing multiple veterinarians, trying progressively stronger medications, and hand feeding Ocho when he was weak, the dog’s health grew worse.

The move to Seattle was a huge change. “At first, I didn’t like Seattle,” he said, describing a traumatic experience being yelled at by a stranger on the street. This has been a theme with many newcomers we talk to. Seattle’s unhoused population is a sad and unfamiliar thing to most people coming from other countries. All together, the city felt intimidating and unfamiliar, a sharp contrast to the safe, rural environment he had known before.

Despite the challenges, he quickly found a sense of belonging at Seattle World School. “I liked it because the community being built here is so amazing and diverse,” he said. “It’s my first time being around people who don’t speak my language, but they also faced the same struggles I did, which gives a sense of comfort.”

Vera has been an active participant in Kandelia’s programs, even performing as a singer at Kandelia’s Back to School Fair. He thinks of Kandelia as a resource alongside the school that can help in a lot of different areas. “If the school cannot provide it, there's Kandelia,” he says. “Everyone is welcomed, and those who have similar interests get to be in the same room, which is good because it builds community.” Vera is currently participating in Kandelia’s Student Success Coaching program where he gets guidance on job applications and support planning and making progress towards his goal of becoming a veterinarian.

Apart from high school and Kandelia programs, Vera also takes part in the Running Start program, taking college courses alongside his high school studies. When he can, he finds time for hobbies like gaming and watching K-dramas and anime.

During Vera’s first months in Seattle, back home in the Philippines Ocho had to be put to sleep. The experience was heartbreaking for Vera, who had hoped to be able to see Ocho on his next visit. Losing such an important part of his life strengthened Vera’s commitment to becoming a veterinarian, so he can help other animals and their owners in similar situations.

Like many newcomers, Vera’s first year in the U.S. was marked by loss, but also new experiences, new connections, and new possibilities. Navigating all of these changes is a little easier when students can connect to a supportive community. Your donation this holiday season helps make this possible. Thank you for supporting Kandelia, and students like Vera.

https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905

12/02/2025

Kandelia serves immigrant and refugee communities in Seattle, and every day we get glimpses into our community’s lives. This storytelling series gives our supporters a look into the journeys of our families and how they landed in Seattle. These stories show the differences, similarities, humor, and sometimes heartbreak shared between our students and families. We believe that sharing these stories help make our community stronger and help us show up for each other in times of adversity (like literally right now).

We hope you enjoy their stories, and please donate to support Kandelia’s work!

Kandelia’s students and families come from all over the world. Each arrives in Seattle under different circumstances and for countless reasons, but almost all share one thing: the hope for a future full of opportunities.

Vidia didn’t know what to expect when she first arrived in Seattle. Her family had spent years in the resettlement process, moving first from her home country of Iran to Turkey. She spent six years in Turkey, but her memories there are not necessarily fond—shaped by racism and a feeling of not belonging. After six years, her family finally moved to the United States.

Vidia was connected to Kandelia soon after arriving in Seattle. In her earliest days at Seattle World School, where Kandelia’s programs are based, she remembers getting lost on the way home after Kandelia’s English class. The bus routes were confusing, and her phone died so she couldn’t navigate on her own. A Kandelia staff member stayed and helped her find her way, taking the bus with her to make sure she got home safely. For Kandelia, small moments like these reflect what community means: showing up for immigrant and refugee youth not just in classrooms, but in everyday life. It’s about building trust, stability, and belonging, so students can focus on being students. Since then, Vidia has been part of several Kandelia programs, including after-school English classes, summer school, and the food access program.

Once in Seattle with her family, Vidia stayed for a short time with relatives in a small, crowded apartment. Those early days were difficult, not knowing the city or how to get around. Things began to change when her family moved in with a host family who helped them adjust to their new life. “She was a really nice lady,” Vidia says of her host. “She showed us around. We went to some parks, some beaches. She really helped us, like getting our IDs and documents and things. It was really fun staying at her house. It really felt like I was in the United States.”

Now, a few years later, Vidia is busy working towards her future. A high school senior enrolled in Running Start, she spends her days balancing college courses, high school classes, and a part-time job. Vidia has big dreams for her life. She hopes to go to a good university and eventually to law school. “I just want to be a leader, you know,” she shares while talking about what’s next. She is already a leader at school, participating in student government for the past two years. Outside of school, Vidia shares that she enjoys at-home dance breaks and “the cozy vibes…getting hot chocolate…sleeping with the sound of rain,” embracing the comfort of small, simple things as a counterpoint to a life that’s been full of change.

Seattle has offered a new beginning that has started to feel like home for Vidia. “The opportunities I have here… I can do Running Start, going to high school and also college, and have job opportunities,” she reflects. Kandelia programs reinforce this foundation, offering not just classes like English and job readiness training, but also opportunities for community building and connection.

Like Vidia, all of our students deserve support and access to opportunities. Kandelia removes barriers for immigrant and refugee youth and their families, ensuring students like Vidia can pursue their education, discover their passions, and shape their futures. Please donate to Kandelia to help make this work possible.

https://kandelia-bloom.kindful.com/embeds/7f253142-ed97-497a-bca0-e29b66c02905

*The student who shared their story for this piece chose to be anonymous - their name has been changed here.

11/25/2025

There's still time to apply!

Join our team! Multiple positions open. Learn more at kandelia.org/careers

11/14/2025

Join our team! Multiple positions open. Learn more at kandelia.org/careers

11/05/2025

English.
This is an invitation to all families with students in Seattle public schools. It's your opportunity to strengthen your finances, clarify doubts, and achieve your goals.

Spanish.
Esta es una invitación para todas las familias con estudiantes en las escuelas públicas de Seattle, Es tu oportunidad para fortalecer tus finanzas, aclarar dudas y alcanzar tus metas.