AALV Services for New Americans
Services are provided to all members of the refugee and immigrant community regardless of national or ethnic background. Client information is strictly confidential and is not shared with any third party without the permission of the client. AALV staff are multi-lingual. When our staff cannot speak a particular language, we use interpreters.
What we do
The AALV provides:
- Referral case management – We help New American individuals and families that are in need of help connect with the services that are available to them: in housing, employment, health, and child services.
- Integration education – We deliver education that will help refugee and immigrant’s transitions in Vermont. Such examples include the dangers of substance abuse, how to apply for the Green Card and saving on home energy costs. Integration information is disseminated through home visits, translated informational materials, and weekend New American workshops.
- Neighborhood Women’s Groups – New American women from three public housing complexes gather to sew, knit, and crochet, while discussing various integration subjects. Three groups meet five times per week.
- Workforce Development – AALV currently runs two collaborative grants: 1) training refugees and immigrants to be personal care assistants, a first step in the health care field and 2) fostering New American micro-agriculture ventures. Project partners include: the Intervale Center, Vermont Adult Learning and the Visiting Nurse Association.
- Workforce Development – Two collaborative grants have started: 1) combining ESL with welding skills training and 2) fostering micro-agriculture ventures. Project partners include: the Intervale Center, the Advanced Welding Institute, the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program, and the State of Vermont.
- Leadership Development and Advocacy – Vermont’s New Americans must have a say in local decision making. The Association, in partnership with Mosaica, offers leadership development training to New American community members. The AALV also advocates for equal access to public services, progressive workforce participation, and access to affordable childcare.
- Interpreter Services – AALVInterpret offers skilled language interpreters to medical providers, social services, and businesses at affordable rates. AALVInterpret prides itself in offering meaningful compensation to its interpreters.
- Cross-cultural trainings for service providers and the general public
- Cultural preservation and recreation activities, such as musical events, the summer soccer team, cultural celebration days
Are you an African living in Vermont? Would you like assistance? Contact us.
Working with the AALV
You might ask, “What can the AALV do for my organization or community group?” That is a very good question. We might recommend contacting the AALV for the following reasons:
· You have a New American client who doesn’t understand the types of services that you provide or how to access/utilize them effectively. Reach out to our staff and “train the trainer.” We are a point of information dissemination in the refugee and immigrant community. Send us your materials, explain your organization to us, and we’ll be happy to spread the word.
· You want to familiarize your staff with the culturally specific needs and concerns of the refugee community. This is our favorite subject. When other “mainstream” agencies and community groups understand our challenges, they can work more effectively with us to overcome these challenges. We can provide general information on culture and perspective, or we’d be happy to explore specific programs and processes in partnership with you. We typically conduct these sessions in teams of four – a staff member, a board member, and two community members.
· You’d like to participate in one of our New American Workshops. These are great opportunities to showcase your services for the refugee community while diversifying your client base. Please speak with Yacouba Jacob Bogre, our Executive Director, to establish a culturally-effective curriculum and plan site logistics.