Raindrop Celebrates Immigrant Heritage Month
June is Immigrant Heritage Month here in the United States. It is a month-long celebration where we are able to recognize the many contributions that immigrant communities, both small and large, have had on our nation’s culture. It is a moment to recognize the humanity within us all and tell the stories of where it all started.
Whether you are a 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation immigrant or beyond, we all have a story that has led us to where we are today. The actions of our great grandparents, our grandparents, our parents, and even our own have shaped us into who we are today. These experiences have both influenced and provided perspective in how we view and approach the world every single day.
My name is Eduardo and I am the Talent Acquisition and DEI Manager here at Raindrop Agency. I am also a second generation immigrant. It is a privilege to highlight this month-long celebration by sharing with you all where “my immigrant story” begins. In addition to my own, I also have the honor of sharing some of my fellow Raindroppers’ stories and a piece of their family history. Here are our stories
My story begins…
…when my parents came to this country with the hopes and dreams of a better future. Little did they know this future would include having a very large family filled with so many different personalities. Growing up my siblings and I looked after one another, so that our parents could work full time jobs in order to provide a roof over our heads and food on the table. We learned to be resourceful and determined-to always make the next day better than the last. My parents opened up the mindset of “what could be” which has stayed with me throughout my entire life. At the age of 5, I remember wanting to become a doctor. At the end of middle school, I remember wanting to become a teacher. And at the end of my masters program, I remember wanting to become someone who was simply happy in whatever I did. My parents were determined to provide us with a life they never had, and as a second generation immigrant I made it a point to make sure wherever I landed in life, they knew that it was all worth it. This leads to me where I am today-serving in a role that fulfills me on so many levels. As a recruiter I have been given the opportunity to create a space similar to the one my parents provided me- a space that connects our potential as individuals to the possibilities of what could be. -Eduardo
…about six years ago, when I made the life-changing decision to leave Lithuania and embark on a new chapter in the United States. Adapting to the diverse tapestry of cultures took time, but with each passing day, I grew more comfortable and appreciative of the beauty that surrounded me. One pivotal moment in my journey was joining Raindrop, a company that became so much more than just a workplace. It became a place where I found unwavering support, a sense of belonging, and the joy of being treated as an equal, erasing any feelings of being a foreigner. As I reflect on my immigration story, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the experiences I’ve had and the connections I’ve made. The challenges I faced while adjusting to a new culture have only made me stronger and more resilient, shaping me into the person I am today. – Arunas
…when my family decided to leave a violent country to make their dream of a better reality more attainable. In turn, they left behind family, friends, and everything they knew and loved to come to the United States. It hasn’t always been easy for them, but I know they make the best of every card they’re dealt and have filled my life with so much color and fun. They never gave me any indication that I couldn’t grow into whoever I wanted to be, and did everything they could to provide opportunities for me to be whatever I wanted! It’s a very strange but very wonderful sensation to be the actualization of their decision. I’ll never fully know or understand everything they gave up so that I could write this, but I know that they’re proud that I get to do so. -Jess
…when my great grandparents fled Korea during the war with Japan (before Korea was two countries) due to their role in the government. Surprisingly, and some say accidentally, they came to Mexico and worked as indentured servants to pay for their journey. Later my great grandmother crossed the border into California where our family eventually settled. As a sixth generation (half) Korean, I didn’t feel particularly close to my immigrant story as a kid. My grandparents didn’t speak the language and the closest we got to our heritage was the occasional meal and Korean dramas (before they were cool!). As a kid, I had a hard time pinpointing my culture since we were so removed from Korea, but I’ve loved learning about family quirks that are uniquely Korean. One thing I’ve always reflected on is our toughness and strength – my family story has a lot of drama and heartache but also deep resilience for the sake of our family and it’s prosperity. My heritage and our story is something that I am grateful to continue to honor and pass down to our kids. -Carolyn
As immigrants, we do our best to live out the lives that we, our parents and our ancestors desired for us to have. We pride ourselves on our experiences, the obstacles we’ve overcome and the sacrifices of those before us. It is our hope that by telling our stories we remember where we came from and remind ourselves of the future we’re working towards.
