January 2023
“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.”  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

These words from the late civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. inspire us to do whatever small things we can do during these troubled times.  As we enter a New Year, I would like to take a moment to thank our volunteers, donors, partners and friends for all those things you “do in a great way” for Newcomers Access Center. Your small acts added up in 2022, enabling us to serve more  families. We are humbled by their accomplishments. 

With your help, in just a few months of their arrival, many recent newcomers found jobs, opened bank accounts, moved into their own apartments, learned the bus system, enrolled children in school, become library members, and made friends as they embark on a new life in the U.S. We are also proud of our “NAC graduates,” clients we helped in the last few years who are now fully independent and are giving back (doing small things) to assist new arrivals.   A few clients passed the citizenship test and are now US citizens. None of this would have been possible without your support.

As 2023 begins, NAC, together with our supporters, continues to offer programs to help newcomers.  The influx of Afghanistan refugees which began in 2021 is ongoing. A new family is referred to us nearly every week looking for services. In early March NAC began to welcome families fleeing violence in Ukraine.  As with the Afghans, most are professionals improving English while working and getting acclimated to life in the US, and they greatly appreciate resources and connections they make through NAC.

In the fall, NAC was asked to leave the CST campus, including four NAC-furnished apartments for refugee families.  Finding alternate housing for these newly arrived families has been challenging.  We appreciate donors whose generosity enabled us to provide security deposits, rent subsidies and other support as clients make yet another move so soon after their arrival.  NAC’s office moved as well—into a lovely space in Claremont United Church of Christ building in the Claremont Village.

We are excited to invite you to join us at NAC’s fundraising Gala held at the beautiful historic Padua Hills Theatre on February 26 from 4-7 pm.  Enjoy good company, new friends, delicious food, live music and a silent auction to benefit Newcomers Access Center. On our gala page on our website you may buy tickets or sponsor a table. If you own a business, print out a flier for your window and share on Facebook and Instagram.

Happy New Year!  On behalf of the NAC families we serve, thank you for the many small and large  “things you do in a great way.” In great appreciation,

Warmly yours,
Anne Thorward, President