NWSLTTR
December 2020
With Thanksgiving behind us and Christmas and New Year’s on the horizon, we’re well into the holiday season, and this really is my favorite time of year. It’s the perfect chance to reflect on our lives and share meaningful moments with our loved ones. Although this sentiment is beautiful, I understand how difficult this time of year can be for some of the people who New Frontier works with every day. When you seek out a new life in the U.S., it’s not without its sacrifices. If you don’t have the documents you need, you often have to choose between which family you will spend time with or see again — the family you had to leave behind in your native country, or the new family you’ve created here that you might be removed from. Some people leave their native country never knowing if it will be the last time they see their family there, and others are forced to leave this country with the same dread. That’s heartbreaking any time of year, but it can be especially painful to experience during the holidays. I’m fortunate that I haven’t had to permanently leave family behind, but I certainly know the pain of not being around my loved ones during the holidays. I’ve had to spend several Christmases away from my husband over the years when he was serving in the military. During the first year I was a mother, our twin girls were about 7 months old, and I was without my husband that Christmas. I took them to my mother’s house, and we dressed them up and put them in front of the tree for a picture. I video called my husband so he could experience the moment, but instead of it feeling like a joyous occasion that technology made possible for us to spend together, it instead pointed to this gaping hole in my life without him there. It made me so sad, and I missed him terribly. You’ll be home for Christmas
Our twins’ first Christmas, their Daddy away in Afghanistan
I know my own experiences can’t compare to some of the family moments many of our clients have missed. Missing a spouse for Christmas isn’t the same as leaving family behind permanently. But I share this story to let you know I understand the difficulty of a holiday season spent without those who mean the most to you. And that’s why I work so hard to help you avoid experiencing that heartache in the future. For the clients we’re currently helping, this holiday season may still be difficult. The process of gaining the documentation you need to stay with family in the U.S. or have the ability to travel back to your native country takes many months, often years. But if you’re fighting for those rights, you have so much hope to look forward to. You can ask those clients who we’ve helped in years past — they now get to spend Christmas and other holidays with loved ones. They’re able to say, “Yes, I’ll be home for Christmas.” That’s what we’re fighting for, and it’s what you should keep fighting for, too. We’re here to help make it so that country borders and stacks of paperwork don’t keep you from seeing your family when you want or need to see them.
So, wherever you are this holiday season, whomever you may be with or without, remember to cherish them however you can, even if it’s just in mind or spirit. Your loved ones will keep you strong no matter what you’re going through, and New Frontier will keep you hopeful.
–Hillary Walsh
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Meet Kismet a Dentist’s Toothless Therapy Dog
Building a snowman is one of the most picturesque winter activities, which is why snowmen have become a wintertime cultural icon. A snowman appeared on the very first postcards, was the subject of some of the earliest photos, and even starred in silent movies. Frosty may be a happy snowman now, but his ancestors have a much more varied — and sometimes dark — history. The Middle Ages Snowmen were a phenomenon in the Middle Ages. They were constructed with deep thought and great skill because, during a time of limited means of expression, snow was a free art supply that literally fell from the sky. These artistic feats were popular winter attractions for well-to-do couples who wanted to get their fix of temporary art. Snowmen were often created by famous artists, including 19-year-old Michelangelo who, in 1494, was commissioned by the ruler of Florence to sculpt a snowman in his mansion’s courtyard. The Miracle of 1511 In Brussels in 1511, during six weeks of subzero temperatures called the Winter of Death, the city was miraculously adorned with hundreds of snowmen. The spectacle told stories on every street corner — some political and some demonstrating anger with the church, many too risque to speak of. For the people of Brussels, this Miracle of 1511 was a defining moment of artistic freedom. But when spring came and the snow thawed, Not all snowmen have an innocent history. In 1690, former Fort Schenectady in upstate New York was home to a remote Dutch settlement, which was under the constant threat of attack. Soldiers guarded the gates at all times because they were frozen open, but during a blizzard, they left a pair of snowmen to protect the gates while they sought shelter. That’s when 200 French Canadian soldiers and Native Americans approached. Naturally, they were unfazed by the snowmen and the Belgians were left with damaging floods. The Schenectady Massacre Not Just a Corn Cob Pipe and Button Nose The Surprising History of the Snowman
Therapy pets can have a powerful impact on dental patients, especially if those patients have anxiety. “The studies are very clear: People who sit and pet animals have lower blood pressure, and that’s what it’s all about,” Dr. Cameron Garrett told TODAY when the world found out about Kismet.
Garrett’s dental practice employs the adorable 13-year-old Chihuahua rescue as a therapy animal that patients can hold and pet while they get dental work done. Kismet’s life has not been easy. The Muttville Senior Dog Rescue has invested thousands of dollars into Kismet’s health — they diagnosed her with heart disease, removed a cancerous tumor, treated a hernia, and removed all of her teeth due to periodontal disease. Yet, Kismet remains a very sweet dog. She never barks and loves back scratches and being held. It’s especially amazing that the toothless Kismet found such a perfect new home with dental professionals! This past July, Cameron Garrett and his wife, Debra Garrett (a hygienist), adopted Kismet into their home as well as their dental practice. The serene dog has provided a special experience for patients who come for exams, cleanings, and even root canals. Of course, some patients are scared of dogs. In those cases, Kismet relaxes behind a closed gate. But over 98% of patients happily take Kismet on their laps while they undergo their dental procedure. Cameron Garrett told CNN, “Quite honestly, as a dentist, I’m as much a psychiatrist or psychologist as anything else. Kismet has allowed us to have another tool in our toolbox.” They can even use the toothless pup’s story to teach patients about the effects of periodontal disease. Getting love from patients also helps Kismet. “She just wants to be with us,” Debra Garrett explained. The new owners suspect that she was abused in the past and is still recovering from that trauma. “When she is on a patient’s lap, she’s providing them comfort, but she’s also getting comfort. It’s hard for me to describe how nice it is for me to be looking at her while I’m working. It’s just a win-win all the way around.” Our hearts are officially melted. It’s only fitting for a pet hero to have heroic owners, too!
ruthlessly invaded the settlement. Building a snowman seems like a simple and charming activity, but after learning about its surprising history, you might find those piles of snow seem a little more complicated and a lot more meaningful than before.
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We Want to Hear Your Story Exactly as It Should Be Told
One of the most gut-wrenching challenges that nearly all immigrants face is the fear of not being able to communicate. When you come to the U.S. from another country, never having spoken anything but your native language, figuring out how you’re going to make connections and get the help you need is daunting. Communication is everything to humans — without it, we can’t survive. That’s why we always make sure communication is the first thing our clients know they can count on when they come to New Frontier for help. Many of our clients are originally from Spanish-speaking countries, but no matter where you come from or what language you speak, we’ll find a way to make sure your voice is heard. We have members on our staff who speak Spanish, English, and Punjabi, as well as connections outside our office with those who speak even more languages. There’s nothing more powerful than representing yourself through your own words. We can help you make your declaration and tell your story in the words most familiar to you so you can truly speak about those things that are most important to you.
We’ve had so many cases that were successful because our clients were able to communicate freely. We’re honored to be able to provide that sense of relief for you when we all sit down together for the first time and hear about your situation. We want to give you the freedom to speak to us exactly how you need to. Don’t be afraid to seek out help because of language barriers. We have never let them stop us before, and we don’t plan on letting them stop us now. We break down that barrier every day and connect with our clients in the ways most comfortable for them. The way you speak is representative of your culture and heritage — things we never want you to lose sight of. Working with New Frontier means working together to bridge the gaps between all the wonderful cultures that make up this country, not trying to minimize the culture you’ve always known. So, if you need our help, reach out to us and let us know. We’re here and ready to listen.
Word Search
Carol
Family
Holly
Sledding
Cheer
Gift
Peace
Snow
Cocoa
Holiday
Shovel
Turquoise
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INSIDE
Family Means Everything for the Holidays
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Meet Kismet, a Dentist’s Toothless Therapy Dog The Surprising History of the Snowman
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Communication Is Everything to Us
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Spotlight on Sara Ruiz
Meet Sara Ruiz Making Marketing Truly Meaningful
Sara Ruiz is New Frontier’s marketing manager who also works closely with our sales team. She has been crucial to helping people connect
When you’re all about connecting with people and showing them how you can help, the holiday season is especially meaningful. “Our December marketing campaign is ‘I’ll Be Home for Christmas’ because that concept is what immigration law is all about,” Sara explains. “We want to make it so that people can see their family — wherever they may be — when it matters most. There’s nothing more beautiful than learning about families reuniting after years apart. No matter when that happens, it’s like coming home for Christmas.” Nothing is more important to Sara than family. “I’m so close with not just my immediate family, but also my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, too. I couldn’t imagine being away from them for 20 years or more, like some of our clients have been. So, I cherish my time with them every single day and work hard to help our clients do the same.” If you have any questions about your status, Sara is ready and waiting to connect with you through social media, email, or by phone. New Frontier wants to help make your holiday season special, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
with us and understand all the ways we can help them, but this work quickly became about so much more than that. “For many clients, I’m their very first point of contact when they ask a question through our social media pages,” Sara explains. “From that moment, a relationship starts to develop, and building on that relationship together is what makes each case special.” Before coming to New Frontier, Sara worked in sales and marketing for an industrial company. “I understood what marketing could do for a business, but I didn’t understand the incredible tool it can be for connecting with others in a meaningful way,” she says. “Working with New Frontier has shown me how much marketing can actually help people. My vision of it has changed. It’s a chance to give back to people and teach them how to protect and help themselves. It’s not about money. Immigration isn’t just some international transaction of people. It’s too important to think about that way.”
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