On the Road to Citizenship: Voices from the Journey
Date & Time: September 12, 2025 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Location:
Curious about the U.S. citizenship journey? Join us for a meaningful conversation with WIN community members as they share personal experiences navigating the U.S. immigration system—including applying for citizenship, permanent residency, and other milestones along the way. This is not a step-by-step how-to session, but a space to hear real stories, lessons learned, and diverse paths taken. Whether you're considering your own next steps or simply want to better understand what others face, this session offers insight, connection, and community perspective.
With Martha's departure, a new opportunity has opened up for someone to become WIN's next Secretary.
The Secretary is appointed by the WIN members and serves as a member of the Executive Committee. The Secretary is responsible for scheduling meetings and special events, drafting agendas and slides, and creating meeting minutes and tracking action items. The Secretary works closely with and support the Chair and Vice-chairs, helping to anticipate needs, issues, and challenges, and provide input and feedback.
This is a great opportunity to share your talents and help WIN continue to be a great resource for our members.
If you are interested, please contact us at win@ofm.wa.gov
Win a Washinton experience from SmartHealth!
Starting August 1, SmartHealth participants can enter to win a Washington experience from SmartHealth.
Twenty (20) lucky SmartHealth participants will win $500 gift cards to use for a Washington experience. It could be you!
Winners can choose a $500 gift card from one of the following businesses:
Hotels.com
Airbnb
REI
Washington State Parks store
How do I enter?
First, complete your SmartHealth well-being assessment. Then, report completion of the Washington Experience Giveaway featured activity. The sooner you complete these steps, the more chances you have to win.
When are the deadlines?
Three separate drawings will be held. The following are deadlines to be entered into each drawing:
Drawing 1: August 30, 2025
Drawing 2: September 30, 2025
Drawing 3: October 31, 2025
Please note that you only need to enter once to be eligible to win any of the drawings.
Who is eligible to win the gift cards?
PEBB and SEBB subscribers who are eligible to qualify for the SmartHealth $125 wellness incentive are eligible to win.
Is anyone’s name excluded from the drawings?
Yes. The following people will be excluded from the drawings:
Health Care Authority Executive Leadership Team members and their spouses, state-registered domestic partners, and immediate family members.
Anyone involved with the procurement, contracting, implementation, or operations of the SmartHealth wellness program and their spouses, state-registered domestic partners, and immediate family members.
WebMD employees and their spouses, state-registered domestic partners, and immediate family members who are eligible PEBB or SEBB subscribers.
Spouses and state-registered domestic partners who are on the subscriber’s PEBB or SEBB medical plan, employees who waive PEBB or SEBB medical coverage, and retirees who defer coverage are not eligible for this drawing.
General Membership is open to all current Washington State employees, including full-time, part-time, hourly, and salaried employees who are committed to supporting and advancing the mission of WIN.
Washington Immigrant Network Business Resource Group Mentoring Program mentors are current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors are ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees.
The program’s goals are to facilitate a more culturally and ethnically diverse state workforce which, in turn, will allow us to serve our customers better, and to retain and support immigrant state employees in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive and advance their careers, as well as recruit new employees from the immigrant community.
Research shows that a good mentor inspires, motivates, stretches, connects, and helps develop your Emotional Intelligence. They also open your mind to your potential and opportunities. A good mentor can also provide a safe space to learn, experiment, and ask questions.
Become a WIN mentee
Are you new to state service?
Are you seeking guidance on how to manage your career goals?
Do you need someone to talk to and share ideas with?
Get support from a WIN mentor. Become a WIN mentee.
Start by meeting our mentors. Review their bios and see if there is someone you would feel comfortable connecting with.
Establish a formal mentoring relationship by completing our online Mentoring Request Form
Become a WIN Mentor
Mentors must be current or former state employees that have experience navigating the various routes to state employment and career advancement. Mentors must be ready to share their experience with their mentees, whether those mentees are current or prospective state employees. Submit a Mentor Application Form if you are interested in being a WIN Mentor.
Statewide business resource groups (BRGs) bring together groups of employees and their allies who have a common interest or characteristic. All BRGs have a charter, mission, goals and bylaws and contribute to an overall statewide business strategy. BRG members bring their unique knowledge and perspectives, making them an asset to state business needs, such as recruitment and retention. (OFM.wa.gov/BRGs)
Support the professional development of immigrant state employees. Recommend strategies to advance recruitment, retention, career progression and leadership development. Educate state agencies on the experience, skills and knowledge of immigrants and the value of a diverse workforce.
WHAT WE DO:
Provide a support structure, educational resources and leadership assistance for immigrant state employees. Encourage immigrants to consider the state as an employer of choice through inter-agency and external outreach activities. Serve as a resource for the Office of Financial Management, State Human Resources division and state agencies in creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce.
