MANCHESTER, NH — Granite State Organizing Project is looking for some timely community support as one of their own needs to raise $5,000 by the end of the week to continue on in her work as the organization’s Family and Economic Security Organizer.
Viola Katusiime, who came to GSOP in 2014 as a graduate student from Antioch University, has become an integral part of the team, from her work with kids who live in Elmwood Gardens, to participation in community action events around the city, and outreach to those in need of assistance. Katusiime is here in the United States on an extended student visa, and she will have to leave the country next year unless GSOP can obtain a work permit known as an H1-B visa, for her stay on. While GSOP has funding to pay her salary, there are no grant funds that can be used for the fees involved in filing for the visa and associated legal fees.
The H1-B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows U.S. companies to hire professionals from outside the U.S. for a designated period of time. Katusiime’s application needs to be filed by April 1 in order for her to have a chance at receiving the extension, says Saray Jane Knoy, GSOP Executive Director.
“Viola is a great asset to the community and to GSOP. She has built strong relationships across the diversity of Manchester and we want to keep her working with us — we hope we get the H1-B visa. My understanding is that the U.S. issues only 80,000 per year, and they are generally all snapped up the day the application period
begins on April 1,” Knoy said.
Contributions are fully tax deductible and can be mailed to GSOP, 383 Beech St., Manchester NH 03103 or online via Paypal.
About GSOP: Granite State Organizing Project brings our community together by uniting religious congregations, labor unions and concerned individuals to improve the quality of life in New Hampshire. GSOP believes that every person has the right to be included in decision-making processes within their community. GSOP starts with our shared faith and democratic values, bringing people together to envision bottom-up effective, solutions to community concerns. Together with community partners, GSOP fights for the rights of low wage workers and to raise the minimum wage, addresses housing issues, including public housing concerns, and works to lift the voices of students of color into local education debates.
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