A former U.S. Peace Corps volunteer and longtime local educator, Kari Miller founded International Neighbors with a mission to make Charlottesville a more welcoming place for refugee and immigrant families. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in local schools and her time serving in Thailand, Kari created a nonprofit rooted in radical neighborliness, one that celebrates diversity, fosters deep family-to-family connections, and transforms lives in small, meaningful ways. Kari is passionate about helping both children and adults see difference as an opportunity for growth, and reminds us that real change begins right beyond our doorstep.
From your perspective, how does a diverse community benefit children growing up here in Charlottesville?
When I hear the word diversity, I think of something that can only impact children in a positive way. Any research, any education, any experience supports this idea that the different perspectives diversity brings are incredibly beneficial to a child’s development. It fosters compassion, community consciousness, and a deeper understanding of the world. Whether it’s different cultures, sounds, smells, foods, etc., diversity only enhances our community experience. It’s what the vision for America has always been.
Are there specific ways families can actively support International Neighbors?
International Neighbors’ keystone program is the Great Neighbor Guide, where we’ve matched over 200 local families with newcomer families from places like the Congo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, etc., regions where refugee resettlement is not just helpful but necessary for survival. Families can volunteer, donate, or become matched themselves. It’s all about showing up and saying, “We’re here with you.”
How does the Great Neighbor Guide work to benefit both newcomers and the families they are matched with?
It’s truly about matching family to family. We try to tailor it to each family’s dynamic. Someone might say, “My 13-year-old loves babies,” or “My 7-year-old is super into sports and wants a buddy to play with.” It’s incredibly eye-opening for local families to learn what our newcomer neighbors have endured before arriving here. They may be hungry, scared, or missing loved ones. It’s not always perfect once they arrive. The beauty of the program is that it’s not one-sided, it’s a reciprocal relationship. Our surveys consistently show that local families often benefit just as much, if not more. Children thrive in these connections, and so do their parents.
How can parents teach their children the importance of welcoming others, especially when it comes to including new classmates in games or activities at school?
We all have our differences, and that’s true and beautiful. It’s important to teach kids that differences don’t separate us, they give us opportunities to learn and grow. If we can say, “Wow, that person is different from me,” and mean it in a way that honors them as a fellow human being, we’re doing it right. What we can control is how we choose to see others. If we choose kindness and openness, our kids will too.
What advice would you give to families wanting to connect with immigrants, but not sure how?
Words matter. As parents, we model the values we want our kids to live. Sometimes people hesitate to connect out of fear, whether they’re afraid of saying the wrong thing, or they’re unsure of cultural norms. But just because someone wears a hijab, speaks a different language, or practices different customs doesn’t mean we cannot connect. We already have everything we need: compassion, humanity, and love. You don’t always need a special program or training to build a bridge. Some people say, “I don’t want to mess up,” and I always say—if you’re doing it with love, it can’t possibly be wrong.
What’s your favorite children’s book?
Who Belongs Here? by Margy Burns Knight. The target audience for this children’s book is middle schoolers, but its message resonates at every age. I love how it gently asks us to reflect on the different paths people take to get here, wherever here is, and how those journeys, no matter how complex or difficult, are worth honoring. Even if we can’t fully understand someone else’s story, we can still choose to walk forward together. That’s such a powerful lesson for kids and adults alike. It reminds us that everyone has something they can care about and something they can share. That kind of connection is the heart of what makes a community strong.
But just because someone wears a hijab, speaks a different language, or practices different customs doesn’t mean we cannot connect. We already have everything we need: compassion, humanity, and love. You don’t always need a special program or training to build a bridge. Some people say, “I don’t want to mess up,” and I always say—if you’re doing it with love, it can’t possibly be wrong.
As a Charlottesville local, we’d love to hear: What’s your favorite local restaurant?
As someone who served in Thailand with the Peace Corps, I am so grateful for the amazing Thai food we have here! Some of my absolute favorites are Chong Thai, Pineapple Thai, and Monsoon Siam.
Any final thoughts to share with Charlottesville families?
We are incredibly fortunate to live in this community, filled with amazing people, great restaurants, and meaningful ways to connect. I truly believe we can continue evolving into an even stronger, more unified place by making an effort every every single day to connect with someone who is unlike you. Whether it’s through books, at the grocery store, at school, or through International Neighbors, we can change the world one neighbor at a time.
NADIRAH MUHAMMAD is a storyteller, marketer, and community connector who brings heart and strategy to every word she writes. A Charlottesville-based communications professional, she blends her passion for people with a talent for crafting narratives that inspire and engage.
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