Journeys of Belonging
Journeys of Belonging
Journeys of Belonging was founded in 2025 by Zara Bhardwaj, a second-generation immigrant. Through video storytelling, she seeks to explore what makes immigrant hubs like the San Francisco Bay Area, Greater New York, Miami, and Los Angeles fertile ground for vibrant, multicultural communities.
Tell Us
Your
Story
#
journeysofbelonging
Facts & Figures
The Impact of Our Work
1,500
Stories Told
Stories of cultures, communities and compassion
8
Projects Completed
Milestones of Hope and Change
50
Volunteers
Uniting Hearts and Actions
About the project
Journeys of Belonging is a student-led initiative about social integration in the San Francisco Bay Area which is sparked by the question:
What might we learn if young people interviewed their parents or grandparents about why they migrated, how they found a sense of belonging, and what helped them build a life in a new land?
The project aims to preserve personal histories, illuminate the journeys of integration that shape immigrant communities, and explore how immigrants have woven themselves into the social fabric of their adopted homes.
Voices of Humanity
A collection of everyday kindness — stories of neighbours, strangers,
and community members who extended warmth, help, or hope.
“The librarian didn’t laugh when I mispronounced every word. She just smiled and said, ‘Want to try reading it together?’”
— Xinyi, 16 | Fremont
“He didn’t ask why I was crying on the train. He just offered me a tissue and said, ‘Whatever it is, you’ll get through.’”
— Alina, 32 | San Mateo
“When I told my teacher I didn’t have Wi-Fi at home, she printed everything out and left it for me in the front office. Every week.”
— Hakeem, 17 | East Palo Alto
“During Ramadan, my boss quietly blocked off time in my schedule every evening so I could break my fast. I never asked. He just knew.”
— Omar, 34 | South Bay
“A kid in my class once stood up for me when someone mocked my accent. We’ve been best friends since.”
— Tanmay, 14 | Daly City
“I didn’t know a soul here. Then my neighbor brought me homemade soup the day I moved in. We’ve shared dinners ever since.”
— Luis, 42 | From El Salvador to Oakland
Why Belonging Matters
“Journeys of Belonging was born from my desire to create a ripple effect of positivity, transforming lives one story at a time.”
Zara Bharadwaj
“The librarian didn’t laugh when I mispronounced every word. She just smiled and said, ‘Want to try reading it together?’”
— Xinyi, 16 | Fremont
“He didn’t ask why I was crying on the train. He just offered me a tissue and said, ‘Whatever it is, you’ll get through.’”
— Alina, 32 | San Mateo
Video Response Questionaire
Record the response of your parent / grand parent to these questions.
Estimated duration of video : 7-10 minutes
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Where are you originally from? When did you move to the Bay Area?
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How did you feel when you first stepped off the plane?
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Was there a moment when you truly felt like a stranger when you first arrived?
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What’s a small kindness someone in America showed you that you still remember?
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Was there a specific moment when you started to feel like you belonged?
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Who was the first person who made you feel truly welcome here?
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What helped you feel connected to your new community?
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How did you find your first group of friends or support system?
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What do you hope people understand about immigrants that they often don’t?
