AALV AALV 2016 Fostering Hope, Dignity and Independence in New Americans to Strengthen our Community By Yocouba Jacob Bogre – Executive Director

What We’ll Cover  Who we are  What we do  Core functions  What sets us apart- our edge  Overview of our core services  Barriers to employment  What we do to help  Recommendations  Questions AALV 2016

Our Management Staff Jacob Yacouba Bogre Executive Director Thato Ratsebe Communications Manager AALV 2016

What We Do AALV helps new Americans from all parts of the world gain independence in their new communities through a range of integration services. Core service prongs: 1.Transition and Integration 2.Personal and Behavioural Health Awareness 3. Interpreter Services 4.Workforce Development AALV 2016

Our Edge We serve the refugee and immigrant community regardless of national or ethnic background. Confidentiality is key Our staff is multilingual. AALV 2016

Our Core Services & Programs AALV 2016

1. Transition And Integration We assist and connect new Americans in a wide variety of areas, including: housing ~ employment ~ childcare ~ healthcare ~ social activities …all of the things that people need to gain independence and lead full and happy lives in their new communities. AALV 2016

The numbers AALV case managers assist several hundred clients through 4,000 service interventions and roughly 2,000 referrals annually. AALV 2016

2. Personal and Behavioral Health Awareness  Domestic violence education  HIV prevention services for the youth We disseminate linguistically and culturally appropriate information through flyers, home visits, and workshops. ​ We provide Intervention assistance for refugee and immigrant victims, in coordination with mainstream DV service providers. AALV 2016

3. Interpreter Services  52 interpreters and 27 different languages including dialects  Recruitment and Selection of Interpreters  Training; general medical, court. AALV 2016

How to Request for an Interpreter Send a fax: AALV 2016 Preferred - Log onto our website: Phone call ( ) (*Expect an accent)

4. Workforce Development  The New Farms for New Americans project has 50 refugees and other immigrants farming 3.5 acres in Burlington’s Intervale district. We provide training and technical assistance to these new farmers to help them earn modest income for their families.  The Home Health Aids and Licensed Nurses Assistants (LNAs) project provides technical training and English language assistance to students in preparation for certification and job placement in healthcare. AALV 2016

Barriers to Employment for Refugees and Asylees  Lack of internship slots  Language Proficiency  Time/Age Factors Regardless of Formal Education background  Financial Issues  Loss of Professional Identity Individuals with Formal Education  Complexity of licensing Processes AALV 2016

Our Model (what we do to help) Referral/ Placement /Follow up with local employers If offered a position we assist free of charge during orientation process with:  Filling of Employment documentation  Translation during orientation  Work Readiness workshop to groups or individuals when filling an application with a client  Skills training Programs AALV 2016

We Recommend  Advocacy for system changes  Increased internship slots AALV 2016

Questions?. AALV 2016

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