The walls of Doris Mukangu’s office are covered in photos of African women in various states of work – farming, carrying heavy burdens, selling in local bazaars, and more. The images, part of the “Dignity in Labor” series by her co-worker, Reggie Erawoc, perfectly encapsulates Doris and her organizations, Amani Women’s Center and Johari Africa. […]
Spotlight on Doris Mukangu: Empowering Women Read More »
Can you imagine being a refugee in the process of resettlement for over fifteen years? Francoise Chimalonza, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of the Congo has experienced it firsthand. Fifteen years ago, Francoise fled the Congo due to a war and was placed for resettlement in Rwanda. Her final resettlement paperwork was not finalized
Balancing Motherhood As A Refugee Read More »
While cultures, ethnicities, and religions may vary, one thing is true for people around the world – we all love our children. This basic truth helped our April Volunteer of the Month, John Bottini, to make greater, lasting connections with two new arrivals, and to help their family grow larger, and stronger, in their new
Volunteer of the Month: John Bottini Read More »
It was always my dream to have a job in America. The AmeriCorps program has brought my dream to reality. I have been serving as the “Parents as Teachers” AmeriCorps team member at New American Pathways since October of 2016. This has been one of the best experiences of my life. Primarily, my goal in
Rahim’s Path to an American Dream Read More »
Last week, President Trump released his proposed budget for the federal government, which includes cuts or complete shut-downs of many programs that serve communities across the U.S.. Many of the changes outlined in this budget will negatively affect refugee-serving agencies in ways supporters may not have expected. Here are a few of those changes we
The President’s Proposed Budget and Resources for Refugees Read More »
This month, our volunteers of the month are the Alternative Spring Break students from Xavier University, a Catholic school located in Cincinnati, Ohio! This group spent two days volunteering in our afterschool program at a DeKalb County elementary school, helping children with their homework, reading, and conversation pieces. We asked them to share their experience:
Volunteers of the Month: Xavier University Alternative Break Group Read More »
Mary Cash, our Volunteer Engagement AmeriCorps member, wrote about creating animal shapes with Mohammed in the afterschool program. New to America and his DeKalb County middle school, Mohammed didn’t speak much. In fact, he didn’t speak at all. He didn’t know any English or any of the other languages the other kids in afterschool spoke, not
Maria the Cat, Mohammed the Kid Read More »
A few weeks ago, we accepted three new students from Afghanistan into our afterschool program. These students are all siblings with varying levels of English speaking and reading. They have already impressed me with their respectfulness, eagerness to learn, and positive attitudes. The youngest sibling came to us knowing the alphabet and a few sight
Students Rule – On and Off the Field Read More »
Late morning on March 6, 2017, President Trump’s administration released the long-anticipated updated anti-refugee order and travel ban. While the order has some noticeable changes from the original order (see below), it will still negatively affect refugees and refugee-serving agencies. Negative impacts include: Refugee arrivals cut in half for fiscal year 2017 (reduced from 110,000 to 50,000 refugees)
What the Second Executive Order Means for Refugees Read More »
Becoming a refugee usually means hardship. Those who receive the government status of refugee are given it because they’re fleeing from proven persecution. That statement rolls off the tongue a lot nowadays with all the global discussion of the refugee crisis, so much so that we almost miss the weight of it. Persecution. Fleeing. Meaning,
Bhim’s Story: An American Dream Read More »