Welcome, Governor Patrick!

Last week, the New American Center joined in the international celebration of World Refugee Day! The United Nations declared June 20th of every year as a day to honor refugees and their endless courage and resiliency that inspire us every day. To mark the day this year, the NAC was proud to host the Office for Refugees and Immigrants' (ORI) Executive Director, Josiane Martinez, State Senator Thomas McGee, and Massachusetts' own Governor Deval Patrick!

Our clients and staff enjoyed enspiring speeches from Patrick and Martinez as well as the NAC's director, Natasha Soolkin, and a personal testimony from former client turned employee, Mani Biswa.

Governor Patrick gratefully acknowledged the strength and richness that refugees and immigrants bring to our communities across the United States. To honor the positive ways that immirants enhance our society, he announced as a public proclamation that the month of June 15th -- July 15th be Immigrant Entrepreneurship Month. We look forward to celebrating the great achievements of our NAC community as they enter the workforce, and especially those who have een able to create their own ventures.

To top off the celebration, we enjoyed delicious food from around thr world, some Arabian dancing, and a musical performance written and performed by some of our own NAC talent!

Check out the article from the Governor's Office here:

Governor Patrick Celebrates Immigrant Entrepreneurship Successes in Massachusetts

By:

Matt Jass - AmeriCorps '14