This fall, we welcomed two indispensable members of our team: drivers Basel and Orlando. Both came to Pittsburgh as refugees, and the Hello Neighbor team was by their side as they built their new lives.

Now, they’re doing the same for others.

For many of our new neighbors, accessing transportation can be a significant obstacle when trying to lay down roots in their new home. From picking up clients at the airport when they first arrive, to getting them to job interviews and medical appointments, Orlando and Basel’s work helps to bridge that gap.

Their stories show us the ripple effect of welcoming, as they work each day to support others on their journeys from arrival to belonging. 

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Basel's Story

Basel and his family, originally from Syria, came to Pittsburgh as refugees in 2016.

At the start of the Syrian war, the family fled to Jordan, where they applied to the International Organization for Migration for political asylum. After a five-year wait, they were finally approved for entry to the U.S. (Fewer than one percent of political asylum applicants ever receive this status.) 

Once they arrived in Pittsburgh, the family began to take on the challenge of building a new life in an unfamiliar place, where they knew no one and didn’t speak the language. At first, the experience was isolating. “From the bottom of my heart, the organizations that were supposed to help failed us,” says Basel, “It wasn’t until we were introduced to Hello Neighbor five years ago that we were truly helped” (qtd in Certo, 2023). When Hello Neighbor began a year later, he was matched with a mentor family, who provided guidance, companionship, and warmth as they adjusted to their new home. He credits this connection with easing some of the difficulties of the transition: ​​“They don’t make you feel like a refugee or a stranger. They make you feel like they’re part of your family” (Certo, 2023).

Immediately, Basel knew he wanted to return the favor and offer the same guidance for others.

“When Hello Neighbor opened back in 2017, I knew I wanted to be part of it, and I signed for mentorship cohort 2. I wanted to be part of this mission in any way shape or form.”

His family became mentors to another Syrian family, offering the kind of support he wished they’d had when they first arrived. “When we came here, we had nobody,” he says. “Now, the new wave of Syrians don’t have to suffer as much because there are other Syrians here. They’re already connecting to Arabs who can help them” (Certo, 2023).

After nearly a decade in the U.S., Basel is reaching a big milestone: he’s ready to become a naturalized citizen. If you run into Basel in the Hello Neighbor office these days, you’ll often find him practicing for his citizenship test, having the team quiz him on his English and his knowledge of the U.S. Government. “You’re ready for this,” Gina, our Immigration Legal Fellow, assures him, “You’ve learned so much just in the time that I’ve known you.”

Now, Basel continues to pay the kindness forward in his day-to-day work as a driver for Hello Neighbor. “My favorite thing is giving back to the community and helping refugees and immigrants feel supported and included,” he says.

His lived experience as a refugee helps the families he serves feel truly seen and understood. “I picked up a family from the airport, and when they saw me speaking Arabic like them, they were so happy and said “We are glad you are here and that we understand you.””

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Orlando's Story

Orlando, a journalist from Venezuela, arrived in Pittsburgh with his wife and young son in August of 2024. After surviving a violent attack in Venezuela because of his work as a reporter, the family fled to Colombia, where they spent nearly seven years in limbo before a resettlement program for Venezuelan refugees opened. 

“I applied, and Thank God we were selected.We had 10 months of tests, medical exams, and interviews with USCIS until we were approved and told to travel to Pittsburgh.”

“We arrived in this beautiful city… with hopes and expectations. Fortunately, we felt welcomed. The support of Hello Neighbor was fundamental to us.” Orlando credits this feeling of welcoming to the care and effort of the Hello Neighbor resettlement team and his caseworker, who he says “was an angel to us.”

“From the first day I arrived… I knew I had to give back to the community and to the new refugees all the good things others had done for my family.”

“I always told my wife I wanted to work at Hello Neighbor to help others, just as they helped us. I'm grateful for the guidance, understanding, and patience the Hello Neighbor employees gave us when we arrived in the city. As soon as I saw a job opening for a driver, I applied, although I was a little nervous because I'm not fluent in English. But that wasn't a limitation, and my coworkers have treated me extremely well. I feel confident speaking English and asking for corrections to improve my English skills.”

Today, as a driver, Orlando plays a vital role in helping new neighbors access the services and support they need.

“I like that every day is different. One day I might be taking a family to their new home, and the next, transporting essential supplies. This variety keeps me focused and allows me to see the different facets of Hello Neighbor's work.”

For Orlando, the work is fulfilling in many ways: discovering new parts of the city, connecting with people from different cultures, and knowing that each day brings something new. Most importantly, he’s able to support others who are walking the same path he did when he arrived.

“I like being that safe bridge for clients… allowing them to get to medical appointments, a new home, or tours… the main thing I like is being able to help other refugees.”