Morning fog blankets Ryan Bonaminio Park at sunrise, Riverside. (Jetta Mills) Have a photo that captures the spirit of Riverside? Share it with us and help celebrate the beauty of our community!
Tuesday Gazette: October 14, 2025
Hello Riverside, and Happy Tuesday! The forecast shows rain heading our way today, so let's make sure we're all staying safe on those wet roads.
Remember to slow down and leave extra space between you and the car ahead. Give yourself a little extra time getting to work or school this morning. And let's look out for one another today, especially pedestrians waiting at crosswalks and kids walking to school who might be harder to spot in the rain.
Stay dry out there, neighbors, and drive carefully. We'll see you tomorrow!
Human Migration Institute Celebrates 10 Years of Transforming Refugee Lives
County's Only Refugee-Focused Organization Has Supported More Than 1,500 Individuals From Afghanistan to Ukraine.
(Courtesy of the Human Migration Institute)
The Human Migration Institute (HMI) marks a decade of serving refugee families with its 10th anniversary gala on Nov. 8 at the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture in Riverside.
Driving the news: HMI has transformed from a small group of concerned residents to a lifeline for over 1,500 newcomers, providing more than 10,000 hours of training and support to refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, Ukraine, and other countries.
The organization offers education, job training, intercultural programming, and daily guidance through a staff that is 90% women-led and 68% refugee-led.
Why it matters: HMI's Refugee Career Pathways program helps professionals navigate the U.S. workforce, with 71% of participants using newly learned skills daily within six months of enrolling.
Most move from having no income to achieving financial stability, according to HMI data.
The big picture: As the county's sole refugee-focused organization, HMI addresses critical service gaps in affordable housing, legal support, transportation, and mental health care access.
The organization played a crucial role during the 2021 Afghanistan crisis, coordinating with universities, legal partners, and elected officials to help dozens of families reach safety.
What's next: The anniversary gala will include reflections from newcomer families and community leaders, cultural performances, and a retrospective of HMI's journey.
Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available at hmir.org or by contacting info@hmir.org.
Art Alliance Aims to Exceed 350 Attendees at Second Annual ARToberfest Oct. 18
Fundraiser targets $30,000 for museum programs while expanding venue capacity after last year's sellout.
Art Alliance's sold-out ARToberfest returns to benefit Riverside Art Museum and The Cheech, bringing food, drinks and evening ambiance to Downtown. (Courtesy of the Riverside Art Museum)
The Art Alliance of the Riverside Art Museum is hosting its second annual ARToberfest fundraiser on Oct. 18, featuring an expanded lineup of breweries and art activities. The event, which sold out last year, benefits both the Riverside Art Museum and The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture.
Driving the news: The 21-and-over event will showcase seven breweries and two beer clubs, offering attendees a variety of experiences including live entertainment, art-making activities, and henna art.
Ticket prices include one drink, food from Two Trees Kitchen, and a souvenir glass.
Why it matters: The fundraiser supports two important cultural institutions in Riverside while offering affordable original artwork and a silent auction featuring established Southern California artists.
Bidding for the online silent auction opened Oct. 9 and runs through 9:30 p.m. on event night.
The bottom line: ARToberfest has garnered significant community support, with sponsorships from various local businesses and individuals.
The presenting sponsor donation was made in memory of Betty and Leonard Dixon.
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