Meet Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho
Purpose
Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho celebrates the skills, perspectives, and cultural contributions of immigrants, refugees, and all people in our region, driving economic prosperity and enriching our community.
Mission
Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho celebrates the skills, perspectives, and cultural contributions of immigrants, refugees, and all people in our region, driving economic prosperity and enriching our community.
Vision
Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho celebrates the skills, perspectives, and cultural contributions of immigrants, refugees, and all people in our region, driving economic prosperity and enriching our community.
Process
Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho celebrates the skills, perspectives, and cultural contributions of immigrants, refugees, and all people in our region, driving economic prosperity and enriching our community.
Why did we
come together.
In 2015, a small but vocal group of residents and outsiders began speaking out against our community’s refugee population. National bloggers picked up on the local movement, amplifying the message negativity, hatred, and racism far beyond Idaho. The negativity grew to include the immigrant labor force.
We were caught off guard, believing that our community gives everyone a sense of belonging, especially refugees. We did not know how to respond to divisions within our community or to the unwelcome national attention.
We can do better. In 2016, a diverse group of community leaders met and committed to find solutions that would bring us together. The result of many discussion and difficult conversation was the Unity Alliance of Southern Idaho. We reflect our community’s support of our diverse city that is made up of refugees, immigrants, and asylum seekers.
Board Members
Matt Hicks
Board President
Captain for Twin Falls Police Department
Daragh Maccabee
Board Vice President
CEO at Idaho Milk Products
Alejandra Hernandez
UASI Executive Director
Ray Parrish
Board Treasurer
Communications Director, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
UASI Board
Our Goals:
Our Goal is to have Representation from the entire Magic Valley (we are almost there)
Board Representation
- Business
- Education (school districs and college)
- Local Government
- Law Enforcement
- Faith Based Organization
- Non-profit Organization
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- Former Representative Clark Kauffman
- Former Representative Sally Toone
- Representative Chenele Dixon
LAW ENFORCEMENT
- Captain Matthew Hicks | Twin Falls
BUSINESS
- Daragh Maccabee | Idaho Milk Products
- Bob Naerebout | Dairymen’s Association
- Riley Barney | Idaho Dairymen’s Association Communications and Marketing Specialist
Non-Profit Organizations
- Roy Villasenor | Community Council of Idaho
- Chandra Upreti | Community Outreach CoordinatorUSCRI Twin Falls
- Mujesira Kljucanin BSN, RN, NE-BC | St Luke’s Health System
EDUCATION
- Samra Culum | Professor College of Southern Idaho
- Emily Nelsen | Retired Educator
FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS
- Ray Parrish | Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- Miranda Irby | Twin Falls Reformed Church
- Asmaa Albukaia | Muslim Faith Representative
- Rick Naerebout (CEO- Idaho Dairymen’s Association)
- Con Paulos (Con Paulos Chevrolet)
- Alex Castaneda (South Central Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)
- Chief Craig Kingsbury | Twin Falls