Ellen Smith serves as the Executive Director for Keeping Our Promise, Inc. She works on educating audiences about the SIV program, grant writing, housing, fund-raising, and in-kind donation management. She has assisted over 1,000 SIV refugees and their families since 2014, and her passion for helping these families started with assisting one Army captain in Syracuse, NY gather donations for his interpreters.
The National Council of Jewish Women – Greater Rochester Section selected Ellen as the winner of the 2019 Hannah G. Solomon Humanitarian Award. and she was awarded the “Spirit of America” award by the Reserve Officers Assn. for starting this model program, and creating a welcoming community for those who served our country. |
Bellal relocated to the United States three years ago, with the help of KOP, following the Taliban's takeover of his home country.
With over 15 years of experience in journalism and media, Bellal has held significant roles as a journalist and news anchor in Afghanistan and the United States, including serving as a media advisor to the Afghan Parliament. His work has earned him prestigious awards from organizations such as Reporters Without Borders, the Overseas Press Club of America, and the Rumi Awards. |
Mubaraka Mohammadi arrived in the United States in September 2023. She is a photographer, educator, and athlete originally from Daykundi, Afghanistan, with a passion for capturing the stories of change in her country. As a Hazara woman, she has been driven to highlight the resilience of Afghan youth and athletes, showcasing a new face of Afghanistan—one that is moving forward, not backward. Since 2019, she has worked on photo series such as Skateboarding in Afghanistan and Skiing on the Slopes of Baba Mountain, focusing on individuals inspiring change within their communities. Her photography and athletic endeavors are fueled by a deep desire to document the strength and spirit of those shaping a brighter future for Afghanistan.
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Chandee Searcy began volunteering for Keeping Our Promise in 2019. She is KOP’s liaison with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has participated in many late night arrivals at the airport, been a part of a Caring Circle, and volunteers on the fundraising committee.
In 2021, Chandee transitioned to a part-time position with KOP focusing on community & volunteer engagement and administrative work. Chandee enjoys finding new places in nature to explore with her husband and four children, sneaking away to her basement to throw on her pottery wheel, and serves on the board of directors at Family Promise of Greater Rochester. |