October 2023

“Refugees are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, children, with the same hopes and ambitions as us — except that a twist of fate has bound their lives to a global refugee crisis on an unprecedented scale.” Khaled Hosseini

Unity Walk 2023

NCASC was thrilled to end the summer by once again participating in the Unity Walk and Festival, hosted by FaithAction International. We are always excited to join our partner agencies and the Greensboro community in celbrating our city's diversity.

JOB CLUB WORKSHOPS

Burlington Open House

We're proud to announce our expansion into the Burlington area in partership with the CityGate Dream Center! We kicked off our new location with an open house to introduce ourselves to our new neighbors and explain our services. NCASC looks forward to creating enduring relationships with the Burlington community to ensure our clients' success in the coming months.

A HUGE THANK YOU!

Hats off to the Four Seasons Mall team who put together shelving and organized home furnishings at our storage facility. Great job!

Triad Refugee Business Center

Innocent Musabyimana's remarkable journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the United States is a story of resilience, transformation, and the incredible impact of community support. Since his arrival in August 2019, Innocent's life has been a testament to the power of seizing opportunities and realizing dreams, thanks to the North Carolina African Service Coalition's (NCASC) Triad Refugee Business Center (TRBC)

Innocent's initial steps on American soil were marked by uncertainty, but his determination to thrive never wavered. Recognizing the potential of his diverse community, he envisioned a way to bridge cultural gaps and share his heritage through business.

With TRBC's guidance and counseling, Innocent secured a crucial loan that laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial venture. This loan not only provided the financial means to start his business but also instilled in him a sense of purpose and confidence. Through tailored counseling, he learned valuable skills in business management, financial planning, and community engagement.

Innocent's business journey was about more than just commerce; it was about building connections and fostering a sense of belonging. His store has become a haven where African culture thrives and his heritage celebrated. Innocent's deep appreciation for NCASC's unwavering support was evident as he proudly shared his story of transformation.

The partnership with TRBC extended beyond financial assistance. With their guidance, Innocent expanded his business horizon. He embraced the opportunity to provide his community with more than just products – he offered empowerment, inclusivity, and accessibility. By incorporating the ability to accept food stamps, he ensured that everyone, regardless of their circumastances, could partake in the vibrant flavors and traditions he shared.

Innocent's journey reflects his tenacity, the empowerment from NCASC, and the transformative potential of belief. His store has become a hub of cultural exchange and community engagement, a symbol of what can be achieved when dreams are supported and opportunities are embraced.

Today, Innocent Musabyimana stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with the right support and determination, success knows no bounds. His story echoes through his store's shelves, which are stocked with more than just products – they hold the dreams of a refugee who became an entrepreneur.

A HUGE THANK YOU!

A big shout out to the Gilbarco Veeder-Root  team who helped us organize our storage facility and set up a home for our new arrivals. Awesome job!

Youth Programming Grant

 NCASC is excited to announce a significant grant awarded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement in support of our refugee youth empowerment initiative, the Refugee Academic and Cultural Education Program (RACE).

RACE is a continuation of youth programming at NCASC, beginning with the Refugee Scholars Program in 2017 followed by Refugee Youth Empowerment through Education (RYE) in 2020. The project has expanded to support refugee in-school and out-of-school youth and young adults between the age of 15-24 to overcome barriers to the pursuit of post-secondary training.

The goals of RACE are to annually help 25 to 30 refugee youth overcome economic, social, financial, and psychological barriers to succeed in education and life and reach long-term economic self-sufficiency through peer mentoring and life skills training.

There is a particular focus on young refugee women and girls seeking to advance their educational, professional, and personal goals through the Women Integrated through Social, Economic, and Education (WISEE) program.

Stay tuned for updates on our youth programming over the next several months as we have a lot planned!

Alina

Alina arrived in the United States just one year ago, and since then has not only embraced her new life here but also dedicated herself to helping make the transition smoother for others from Ukraine who are starting their lives afresh in Greensboro.

Mir

Before coming to NCASC, Mir helped process refugees during the Afghan emergency in 2021. A native of Afghanistan himself, he had emigrated to the US before the crisis and was already familiar with many of the struggles the new arrivals would face. Then as well as now he has sought to help newcomers adjust to their new lives.

Jalili

Being a refugee from Afghanistan has made Jalili very familiar with the processes and difficulties faced by new arrivals. Jalli wants to use his experience to make the adjustment easier for those who follow him.

Yadiel

With a background in human development and healthcare, Yadiel was inspired by NCASC's model of service. Since joining our organization, Yadiel's goal has been to help enlarge newcomers' freedom and opportunity while improving their overall well being. Yadiel is based in our new Burlington location and is excited by its potential .

Gail

Gail is experienced with nonprofit work and accounting. She loves helping agencies achieve greater organization and efficiency. We look forward to Gail helping NCASC be the best it can be!

Scan the QR code or click the image to see ways you can get involved to partner with ASC to help welcome and serve our newest neighbors! Please share with friends!