Jennifer Miller has been part of the Heartland Alliance family for nearly 30 years. Her initial interest in the organization was sparked by our housing work in Chicago and Wisconsin. About those early days, Jennifer said, “I started out as a community organizer. And through that experience, I started to understand how critical housing is. Eventually, I left to work for a company that helped set up neighborhood housing services. Through them, I worked with Heartland for many years.”
In 2012, when Heartland Alliance International (HAI) launched, Jennifer had moved from a casual volunteer to a well-known supporter and community member of the Alliance. Reminiscing on the Alliance’s international expansion, Jennifer shared, “by this time, I had become friends with staff and had heard the organization was launching an international branch. I had always been interested in humanitarian efforts around the globe, so for me – it felt like the perfect fit. And today, I can say confidently that HAI has given me far more than I can ever give back.”
Through HAI’s international learning exchanges, Jennifer traveled to Burundi, Rwanda, Congo, Sri Lanka, Colombia, Mexico, and Haiti to meet with participants, volunteers, and staff on the frontlines of various crises. About the learning exchanges, Jennifer said, “the trips not only demonstrate what’s happening on the ground, but also what’s happening in HAI’s programs themselves. We take the time to visit the countries HAI is active in to examine if the programs need to be tweaked a bit to account for cultural differences or changing migration patterns, for instance. The trips engender much more than just passion, but an intimate understanding of how connected our world is.”
During our conversation with Jennifer, it became clear that HAI’s Marjorie Kovler Center has inspired and informed her perspectives on humanitarian work. “The Kovler Center for survivors of torture is truly HAI’s foundation,” she said. “The way the Kovler Center takes people through the healing process has taught HAI how to implement it’s programming. Kovler empowers and enable asylum seekers to reclaim their lives here in Chicago. And now, HAI is employing that same healing model in other locations around the globe, like Rwanda and Colombia.”
When we asked Jennifer which learning exchange with HAI moved her the most, she said, “if if I had to pick, I would say visiting Rwanda was the most poignant because it was right after the genocide. Many of the people we spoke with had gone through an experience that no one should ever, ever have to go through. It was inspiring to see people find the strength to rebuild their families and recreate meaning and self-worth. I realized that without taking a holistic approach to care, we may never accomplish what’s best for society.” ”
Finally, for our readers who want to get involved in philanthropy or humanitarian work, Jennifer shared some key takeaways. “First, I think reading books about people who are in vulnerable situations is essential. While some may be fiction, their foundations are true, and the horrors and the successes are also true. Second, I would suggest visiting a local nonprofit. Volunteer regularly, and get to know the staff, so you can also meet participants and hear their stories directly. Lastly, I recommend Charity Navigator for research purposes to ensure you’re supporting the cause that aligns most with your interests, values, and beliefs.”
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