 On Sunday, October 28, the first Parish Unitarian Universalist Church is presenting a Chefs and Musicians for Safe Harbor Concert to support legal advocacy for asylum seekers. I talked with Claudette Ndadei-i-Ninahazi about the event that will celebrate the ways in which Portland has welcomed the newest members of its community. Claudette, thanks for joining us. It's exciting to talk about the event that's coming up at the first Parish Church. It's actually a benefit for legal advocacy for immigrants. But before we get into the event itself, could you talk a little bit about why legal advocacy is important, what the significance of that is? Thank you for giving this invitation. It's important because the fundraising for legal advocacy for immigrants are the key and the challenge they have in this state. We have many immigrants here in Maine and the most issue is the legal advocacy, how they can pay the lawyer even other basic needs. So it's the key. And first Parish is the one, is the church who promoted this event for them. Is part of the need for the legal advocacy for the help from legal professionals is to get citizenship in the United States? Yes, for getting asylum seekers. So people may not know that just because a person is brought to this country by Catholic charities or whoever, because they're fleeing some other place, they don't automatically get citizenship or asylum, do they have to apply for it? Yes. And that's what this fundraiser is supposedly helping for. Yes. Go toward. Yeah. Okay. Now what's your own story? How did you come to this country? I came to this country in last year, 2011. I was working in a company of beer and soft drink, but I was volunteer in an association for human rights and protection of detainees. And you know, as me, that we have war in our country, so it's about those situations, so because my life was not safe for me and my family, I decided to flee the country and try to have somewhere I can have peace and safe, be safe. That's something that we all want. I think that a lot of people can relate to that, but you especially had a difficult time of it. And now your whole family is here. You had a professional job, you're looking for work, you're looking for political asylum, and this will help you gain some status to be able to do all that. Yes, I hope so. Now my family is here. I'm still an asylum seeker, but I hope I will get the people from immigration. Now I got a job, but I still need integration and connection in this country. So now the event, the event that's coming up on October 28th, the First Parish Church, what is that going to be about? What are people going to be able to do? It will be fun. They will have fun. It will be a wonderful, exciting event because we have our drama from Broondi. We have dancers from Broondi. So it will be exciting. And we have also other music from here, from the United States. So it's mixed. So everyone can take place and enjoy the event. And it mentions chefs, too. Is there going to be food there? Yes. What kind of food? We have our African food, Broondian food. We have American food, also. It will be a mix and exciting. Wow, something for everyone. Yes, for everyone. People, no one can miss out on that. So what time is it? Where is it exactly? How much does it cost? So to attend the event is $10 per person. But I know people try to buy tickets for others who don't be aware of, don't have enough money for buying the tickets. So it will be October 28th, PM, especially 6 PM. 6 PM? 6 PM. And it will be wonderful. Right at the church there? Yes, yes. And the church. If people wanted more information, where could they go? They can Google on the website from our church, First Polish Universalist. Or probably even just even call the church. Yeah, call the church. And then we'll just give the phone number on the website. Right. That's great. Well, good luck with the event. I hope we can make it. It sounds like a fun event. And thank you very much for joining us and good luck in this country. Thank you. And join us on October 28th. Thank you very much.