Fundraising Story: Navigating New Beginnings For Female Immigrants

Twelve years ago, I immigrated to Silicon Valley, filled with hope and dreams. But my journey began not with grand ambitions but with a simple mission: to find work. Together with my immigrant husband, we walked door-to-door in San Francisco, not to pitch our startup idea but to beg restaurants to hire my husband and me as waiters or dishwashers.

With only $300 left in our pockets, my husband—an MBA graduate from London—and I—a recent social media graduate in America—found ourselves in a daunting situation. The long job application processes felt like endless waiting. We were ghosted by recruiters and had no credit cards to cushion our fall. At that time, Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash were just concepts in someone’s mind; we had to rely solely on our feet and determination to navigate this new world.

We couldn’t ask our parents for financial support, and with every passing day, we raced against time to pay our bills. We stepped into every restaurant, from fast food to fine dining, only to be met with responses like, “Go apply online!” or “You’ll hear from us if…” But how could we afford to wait?

We couldn’t wait either. Life began at the end of our comfort zone, and the turning point came when we finally heard a ‘YES’ from one restaurant. I can still feel the joy that overwhelmed me—screaming, jumping, and crying with happiness when my husband secured that job. In that moment, happiness was hidden in the kitchen of a restaurant, where we realized that our perseverance had paid off.

Only those who have had to restart from zero can truly understand that happiness. Only those who have fallen and risen again can relate to the challenges we faced. But with every hurdle, we learned resilience, adaptability, and the importance of community.

This experience ignited a passion in me to create something meaningful. I founded Femigrants to build a community for immigrant women, connecting them to the resources I desperately needed back then. I wanted to offer support, motivation, guidance, inspiration, and professional connections to help them find jobs relevant to their experience.

Today, I am launching the "Navigating New Beginnings: Support for Immigrant Careers" fundraising campaign to support our new training program for new immigrants. With your generous contributions, we can empower newcomers to integrate into their communities, navigate the U.S. job market, and gain essential skills to restart their careers in America.

Join me in creating pathways for immigrant women to thrive.

Your donation will change lives, just as support from a community would have changed mine back then.

Our Goal

By the end of this year, we aim to raise $10,000 to launch "The Integration Lab: Cultural & Professional Integration for Immigrants". This new program will support newcomers and immigrants in their journey toward successfully integrating into their communities and workplaces.

Beginning in early 2025, the two-month program will provide essential training to 50-70 new immigrants. It will include sessions on community integration, cultural adaptation, and building long-term relationships. Participants will also learn to craft a compelling self-pitch in 30 seconds and gain self-confidence in job interviews.

The program is designed to not only help participants understand and navigate cultural differences but also to help them regain their confidence after facing the challenges of relocation. Through workshops on effective communication and networking strategies, participants will have the opportunity to connect with accomplished immigrant and local leaders. This support will empower them to build the foundation for thriving careers in America and foster a sense of belonging in their new environment.

Fundraising Goal:

With a target of $10,000, our collective contributions will empower "The Integration Lab: Cultural & Professional Integration for Immigrants" Program to:

Launch Community Integration Workshops that guide newcomers through the cultural expectations and nuances of their new communities.
Establish a Skills Development Program that emphasizes critical areas such as cultural adaptation, effective communication, and building long-term relationships.
Develop an Empowerment Hub offering resources, guidance, and a robust support network to help immigrant participants regain confidence and advance in their careers.
Host Networking Events designed to facilitate mentorship and support connections between immigrants and local leaders, easing the transition into new professional environments.

As a thank you for your generosity, in early January, when we start the program:

• $500+ donations will be recognized on our website
• $1,000+ will be featured on our website and newsletter (1K+ subscribers)
• $2,500+ additional to the website and newsletter, you will receive a dedicated post to my 26K followers and be recognized at our annual forum in February 2025

*You can stay anonymous if preferred

Why Your Contribution Matters:

Every dollar you contribute helps pave the way for immigrant individuals to successfully adapt to their new lives in the U.S. Your support goes beyond providing resources—it creates opportunities for dignity, growth, and hope. Here’s how your contribution will make a meaningful impact through The Integration Lab program:

Community Integration Workshops: Your donations will help newcomers navigate the cultural expectations of their new communities, fostering understanding and connection.
Cultural Adaptation Training: Contributions will fund workshops that focus on critical skills such as self-pitching, interview confidence, and building long-term professional relationships.
Skills Development Initiatives: Your support enables us to provide training in effective communication and networking strategies, equipping immigrants with the tools they need to succeed.
Integration Support Resources: Donations will also help create a robust support system that offers guidance and mentorship, ensuring participants can confidently engage in their new workplace dynamics and community interactions.

Together, we can make a significant impact!

About Femigrants Foundation

Launched in 2017 by the Founder Aytakin (Ika) Aliyeva, Femigrants Foundation is a global community (501c3 nonprofit org) of diverse female immigrants in businesses, startups, and tech. At Femigrants, we connect global immigrants to business and career growth opportunities through unique events and customized training programs.

Guided by the motto #TogetherWeRise, we strive to educate, inspire, connect, and empower immigrant women from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and experiences. The Femigrants Foundation has successfully organized over 100 events, attracting thousands of attendees and involving hundreds of dedicated volunteers. We have provided a platform for more than 100 successful and influential immigrant leaders in the fields of startups, investment, and corporate leadership, while also collaborating with over 50 corporations and local businesses owned by immigrants.

Our impact has resonated widely, earning national and global media coverage, with features in prominent outlets such as Forbes, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, AP News, London Daily, and many others. Aytakin Aliyeva won double gold Awards in Women Changing The World 2024 in London and was personally supported by Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess, for her endeavoring work and contribution to support and empower immigrant women.

The Femigrants Foundation is a tax-exempt organization. We are pleased to provide any necessary documentation to facilitate this process.

Your generous support not only helps us empower immigrant women but also offers you the opportunity for potential tax benefits.

Thank you for helping us build a brighter future for new immigrants!

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Navigating New Beginnings: Support New Immigrants To Better Integrate and Grow

By Femigrants Foundation

Navigating New Beginnings: Support New Immigrants To Better Integrate and Grow