Engaging Newcomers...

Our communities are home to an increasing number of newcomers and immigrants, many of whom face enormous challenges in their new home, including lack of access to critical health, language, employment, education and naturalization services. Every day, YMCAs across the country are responding to the needs and interests of immigrants with programs and services to address basic needs and develop pathways for success.

In 2008, with generous funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Y-USA began a strategic, three-year initiative in collaboration with a group of 11 YMCAs across the country-including seven in Knight communities-to build on existing YMCA programming to better serve newcomers and to provide models to Ys in other communities. Specific initiatives, many developed in collaboration with more than 100 other community organizations, include English as a second language, financial literacy, culturally appropriate health and wellness services, civic education, naturalization services, youth in government, employment skills training and continuing education.

Connecting newcomers to each other and their neighborhoods, providing access to youth mentoring, job training, health and wellness programs and educational opportunities for the whole family sets newcomers up for success, and that benefits the entire community.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation advances journalism in the digital age and invests in the vitality of communities where the Knight brothers owned newspapers. Knight Foundation focuses on projects that promote community engagement and lead to transformational change. For more, visit www.knightfoundation.org.

Photo credit: ©Veer