JUN 8 2020 By Lyna Ninkham The UNHCR defines a refugee as a person who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution due to his or her race, religion, nationality, political opinion or social group. In El Salvador, gang…
Read MoreThe World War We Never Learned About: the Democratic Republic of Congo
MAY 31 2020 When most of us think about the biggest refugee-producing conflicts, we tend to think about the Syrian civil war and the war against ISIS in Iraq—after all, those conflicts have dominated the news cycle the past few years. So most people are surprised to learn that the largest refugee population to resettle…
Read MoreInterns are an essential part of Canopy— let us introduce you to one!
MAY 26 2020 By Lauren Husband, Communications Team At any given time, we can have up to 10 interns working diligently behind the scenes at Canopy NWA. Our interns perform a lot of the day-to-day grind that keeps Canopy running, like transporting clients to medical appointments, facilitating Job Club, and caring for children while parents…
Read MoreFrom Trinidad to New York City to NWA — How Shurla Jobe invigorates the American Dream
MAY 17, 2020 And what we can learn from her creativity, kindness, and perseverance. By Hannah Lee, Director of Community Engagement The first time I tried Meme’s Caribbean Flavour, I knew I was hooked. My entire plate of jerk chicken, macaroni pie, and green beans was wiped CLEAN in record time. When I told Ms….
Read MoreWho is our Community of Welcome?
MAY 10 2020 By Lauren Husband, Communications Team Last week, we talked about all the reasons our Community of Welcome matters— They welcome our new families and clients with open arms,They financially sustain us so we can keep serving communities in need,And they help us dream bigger and achieve more than we could ever imagine….
Read MoreOur Community of Welcome Matters —Here’s How.
MAY 3 2020 By Emily Crane Linn, Executive Director Y’all… I feel like I say this All. The. Time. But our community is just amazing. You truly are. You’re amazing when everything is sunny and smooth—and you’re even more amazing during crazy times like the ones we’re in. Whether you’re a volunteer who gives your…
Read MoreLooking for a Good Financial Investment? Try Refugee Resettlement!
APR 27, 2020 By Emily Linn, Executive Director THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF APRIL, WE’RE FOCUSING ON REFUGEE EMPLOYMENT AND ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT. There are so many reasons to support refugee resettlement. We have a moral imperative to look out for each other. We benefit from cross-cultural exchange and the new flavors and colors that refugees bring…
Read MoreEducators are Essential to Improving Young Refugee Futures
APR 20, 2020 By Lauren Husband, Communications Team Throughout the month of April, we’re focusing on refugee employment and economic advancement. And we can’t talk about economic advancement without acknowledging the essential role that educators play in improving economic and employment prospects for young refugees and their families. So, we thought we’d talk to Kate…
Read MoreEssential service workers help keep the economy afloat, and many of them are refugees.
APR 13, 2020 The prospect of finding employment in a new country is overwhelming, yet refugees often successfully integrate into the u.s. workforce and fill essential roles. How? By Hannah Lee, Director of Community Engagement As the impacts of Covid-19 continue to ripple through our nation and our communities, many businesses have shut down or…
Read MoreEntrepreneurship Takes Strength and Courage— Peter Has Both
APR 6, 2020 And just like that— It’s April! This month we’ll be focusing on refugee employment and economic advancement.We can’t wait to share all the amazing things refugees and other immigrants do for the community and their families! This week, we are honored to share Peter Khamtheng Ninkham’s story. Peter fled Laos after the…
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