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 Becca's internship
will have a far
reaching impact
on the lives of others
Each year, New American Services employs student volunteers and interns from North Dakota State University, Minnesota State University Moorhead, Concordia College, University of Mary, University of North Dakota and others. These students bring energy, ideas, and often; joy that benefit both the NAS program and clients. These experiences can also have a profound impact of the lives of the interns themselves, like it did for Rebecca (Becca) Matinda, an international student from Tanzania who was studying at Concordia College:
"When I was in high school at the Maasae Lutheran Girls Secondary School, I worked with a NGO doing research on health related issues in Maasai land. ....the Maasai women would come to me and say 'we really need your help, what are you going to do to help us?' That started me thinking, I really have to do something. I decided then that what I needed to do was to build a community center specifically for women in my village."
Becca was an NAS intern during the spring semester of 2009. During her interview, she she shared her dream of someday opening a program for women in her homeland. She also expressed an interest in wanting to learn about non-profit management and case management services.
"I wasn't sure how to connect my goal to my studies," Becca wrote. "I have been studying Business at Concordia College. In the summer of 2008, I had an internship with Walmart where I did sales and customer service. In the fall of 2008, the four of us Maasai women were invited to sing at a World Vision HIV-AIDS awareness event at a church in Fargo. I was talking with my professor ... about my goal of opening a community center and about doing another internship where I could really help people. .....they guided me to apply for an internship with Lutheran Social Services of North Dakota. I had also been accepted for an internship at the retail store, Best Buy. That was a paid internship and the LSS internship was not. I was in my final semester in college and would be completely on my own financially in 5 months. Should I go for the money?"
Becca accepted the internship with New American Services and worked with the case managers in helping refugee clients with their basic needs. She was fluent in Kiswahili, the language of clients from Rwanda and Burundi, so she was also able to help clients with their communications skills. In May, Becca graduated from Concordia, and in August she began graduate school at St. Cloud State, studying for a Masters in Social Responsibility, combining her business background and direct services with people to help them.
"I don't know what I might be doing now if I had chosen the internship at Best Buy instead of Lutheran Social Services, but I am so grateful for this opportunity to attend graduate school. I am thinking ahead to next summer and would love to get an internship in Tanzania. Life is changing so quickly back home and I want to be a part of helping in that change. ....I want to take what has been given to me and make a difference for others. In my graduate program I will be working on planning for the women's center hat has been my dream. I look forward to going home after my graduate studies and being an answer to those women in my home village who have been asking me to do something for them."
Becca brought her gifts to New American Services and shared them with our program and clients. She was able to receive the gift of experience from all of us. When she returns to Tanzania, what she has learned and experienced will be a gift to the women of her village. Who knows where the gift end up next! |
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New staff members include L to R: Julie Dalen, Kendra Wobbema and Jenna Nomeland
New staff members join New American Services
As Spring turned to Summer many changes took place at New American Services.
The Bismarck resettlement office was opened, with Tracy Kuchen moving from the Fargo office to Bismarck to assume the coordinator position. Tracy's former position as case manager has been filled by Julie Dalen.
Case managers, David Adkins and Munira Mohamed, resigned to pursue new adventures. Jenna Nomeland and Kendra Wobbena have been hired to fill these two positions.
Elvira Elezovic resigned as employment specialist. Evan Johnson is taking over as employment specialist and Kendra Wobbema will fill Evan's former position as case manager.
Elliot Kabanuk is taking on the new position of Job Developer with New American Services.
Sierra Kraft, case manager in the Grand Forks office, resigned to began graduate school on the east coast. Nicole Suchowacky took over that position in August.
We bid a sad farewell to Munira, David, Elvira and Sierra. Welcome Julie, Jenna, Kendra and Nicole. And send congratulations to Tracy, Elliot and Evan.
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 Blankets, sheets and towels added to list of items needed for refugee resettlement
If you haven't participated in a donation drive for New Americans lately, now's the time. As we head into fall and winter, we are in short suppy of towels, blankets and sheets to provide to refugees as they arrive in North Dakota.
Youth, women, Bible study groups. high school, associations, dorm floors... anyone can organize a "bedding drive." All we ask is that the items be clean and stain-free. New items are appreciated as well.
It's easy to donate. Just call one of the contacts listed below for infomation about where to drop off items or how to arrange for pick up. All donations are tax deductible.
We are especially in need of:
- Towels
- Blankets
- Sheets
- Kitchen table & chairs
- Dressers
- Lamps
- Towels
- Kitchen and cooking items
- Baby supplies
- Cleaning supplies
- Paper supplies
Organize a Garage Sale
You can also help by organizing your neighborhood, church or community group to host a garage sale and donate the proceeds to purchase resettlement items that are needed, but rarely donated.
For more information contact:
Tracy in Bismarck at (701) 223-1510
Sabina in Fargo at (701) 271-1613
Dawne in Grand Forks at (701) 772-8552 |
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Pangea - Cultivate Our Cultures
November 14, 2009 - 10 AM to 4 PM
Heritage Hjemkomst Center
201 1st Avenue N., Moorhead, MN
Celebrate our community's traditions and cultures at this multi-ethnic showcase of music, dance, culinary arts, and children's activities. Handmade items and ethnic foods will be available.
If you are interested in displaying information about your culture, bringing items for sale or simply volunteering , call Darci at 701-235-7341 or email at dasche@lssnd.org | |
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Your financial support helps refugees to start a new life in the United States. Thank you! |
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Arrival Statistics
New American Services has resettled the following refugees since the beginning of the Federal Fiscal Year 2009 through the end of September.
Refugees have arrived from:
Afghanistan - 3 (1%)
Bhutan - 203 (46%)
Burma - 24 (5%)
Burundi - 21 (5%)
Congo - 13 (3%)
Iran - 1 Iraq - 110 (25%)
Liberia - 8 (2%)
Sierra Leon - 1
Somalia - 45 (10%)
Sudan -9 (2%)
Total - 438
Individuals resettled in each community:
Fargo - 295
West Fargo - 48
Grand Forks - 95
The Unaccompanied Minor Program also welcomed 12 new clients in FY09. |
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New Amercian Services
is a program of
Lutheran Social Services
of North Dakota
Darci Asche, Community Support Supervior
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