RISNW, Lynnwood Food Bank, Verdant, and LPD team up for wellness pop-up event
LYNNWOOD—Scores of passenger vehicles wrapped around the Verdant Health Commission building in Lynnwood on Monday afternoon with those from immigrant communities concerned about food insecurity in the wake of federal immigration enforcement actions throughout Puget Sound. “A lot of immigrant refugee families have self-terminated their benefits,” Van Dinh-Kuno, Executive Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services […]
Everett refugee advocacy nonprofit will “stay in the fight” in 2025
“A few people told me not to talk to the news,” Van Dinh-Kuno chuckled. “They said to watch out, because Trump’s people might see it and go after us! But I don’t care…it’s important to speak.” Dinh-Kuno is the Executive Director of Refugee and Immigrant Services Northwest (RISNW), a nonprofit “multi-service organization” that provides a […]
Edmonds College celebrates World Refugee Day
LYNNWOOD—The Refugee and Immigrant Services NW held its second annual World Refugee Day on Thursday, June 20, at Edmonds College featuring guest speakers, multicultural performances, and an assortment of delicious foods representing the various cultures that make up Snohomish County’s diverse population. The event was emceed by Betty Koteles, Edmond College’s Latino Outreach Specialist, and […]
Jim Smith departs in legislative ‘blaze of glory,’ Sutton’s call for audit passes
LYNNWOOD, Wash., December 13, 2023—In their final meeting of the year, the Lynnwood City Council passed their mid-biennial budget and added new agenda items for the incoming council next year. The budget passed without any further discussion in a 6-0-1 vote with Councilmember Josh Binda abstaining. As was previously reported, since Lynnwood operates on a […]
Helping over 400 Ukrainian families find peace in Snohomish County
ARLINGTON, Wash., August 21, 2022—Farhad, his wife Natalia, and two children, lived relatively simple lives in their home city of Odessa, Ukraine. Farhad worked as a cabinetmaker and Natalia worked teaching English at a nearby elementary school. They were your typical Odessan family but, on February 24, 2022, everything changed. Farhad was on his way […]
Lynnwood recognizes December 18 as Refugees and Migrants Day
LYNNWOOD Wash., December 15, 2021 – Monday was a historic day for the City of Lynnwood. For the first time in its history, the city issued a proclamation making December 18th Refugees and Migrant’s Day in Lynnwood. Councilwoman Altamirano-Crosby read the proclamation aloud during Monday’s City Council Business Meeting, first in English, then in Spanish. […]
Afghan Refugees’ Plight in Lynnwood
As refugees from Afghanistan arrive in Washington, the Lynnwood Times took the opportunity to speak with the Executive Director of Refugee & Immigrant Services Northwest, Van Dinh-Kuno, a beacon of hope and strength to so many on their journey to rebuilding their lives. For more than thirty years, Director Dinh-Kuno has led refugee services in […]
