AUISP began in 2019 in response to the harsh policy at that time of separating children of newly arrived immigrant families from their parents. We attended the peaceful and compelling “Lights for Liberty” vigil held in Columbus that year as part of the national movement to provide humane treatment to people being held at the border. We came into contact with many grassroots groups working on behalf of people seeking asylum in the U.S. We realized we wanted to become part of this network and began seeking sponsors for individuals and families who needed a place to live before they could be released from the border to pursue their asylum cases in immigration court.
Our Board Members and Officers
Debbie Schmieding
President
Debbie Schmieding is retired from a 40-year career with Havar, a local non-profit supporting citizens with developmental disabilities. Through that experience—and a long association with the League of Women Voters—she has significant experience with public policy at state and national levels.
Her commitment to immigrant support stems from several things: a desire to model kindness and hospitality for the three grandkids; a (well-founded) belief that the Athens community will step up in a big way to support newcomers; and the amazing fellow board members with whom she gets to work! Debbie and John have hosted individuals and families from Uganda, Nicaragua, Somalia and Niger.
Every experience and every connection have been a treasure!
Cynthia Tindongan
Vice President
Cynthia has championed human rights and social justice her whole life-long. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines and as a United Nations Volunteer with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Hong Kong.
Her professional roles in the United States have included higher education: coordinating Service Learning and as Director of Thesis and Dissertation Services in the Graduate College at Ohio University. Additionally, she has served in various roles engaging in community development. She worked for the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) and the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness in Ohio (COHHIO).
Her doctoral research centered on the lived experiences of Muslim immigrant children in U.S. public schools. She currently serves on the board of Athens United Immigrant Support Project and as director of Athens Area Mediation Service. As the middle child of five, her mediation career got an early start.
Catherine Marshall
Treasurer
Catherine Marshall has been a study abroad professional for over 25 years, working to facilitate global opportunities for university students. Her current position is Director, Office of Global Opportunities at Ohio University. She sees the global connections forged through intentional international travel and study abroad as important steps toward building empathy and understanding.
As a recent empty nester, Catherine has increased her engagement with and support of the Athens community she’s called home for almost 23 years. When invited to join the AUISP board, she welcomed the opportunity to support the mission of the organization and the fight for immigrant rights.
Catherine jumped right in with enthusiasm, and the board happily accepted her offer to take on the treasurer responsibilities.
Anne Sparks
Secretary
Anne Sparks is a retired professor of social work and sociology. She began her career in New York City working with the social welfare system and providing outreach to underserved populations including immigrant communities.
Anne writes, “Being on the Board of AUISP has made it possible for me to join an amazing network of people who care about those forced to leave their countries for the sake of safety for themselves and their family. We have learned that community support is vital to fulfilling our mission, and I am thankful for the many groups and individuals partnering with us to provide a stable, welcoming environment for asylum seekers.”