New American Africans Youth Program

Thanks to generous donations through Global Giving, as well as a few successful grant requests, New American Africans is so happy to announce that we have hired Ayi as our Youth Coordinator.  Our goal was to find someone with lived experience as an immigrant to lead our youth program.  Ayi, originally from Ghana, moved to Concord when he was 15 years old.  He came without any significant English language skills and with a great deal of catching up to do in school.  He has gone on to graduate with honors from the University of New Hampshire.  He is doing community building outreach work for the New Hampshire office of the American Friends Service Committee as well as working with NAA.

Ayi brings so much to our youth program.  Most importantly, he is a role model to more recently arrived youth.  His story is proof that with hard work, much can be achieved.  He has deep ties in Concord's African community; many of the younger members look up to him as a first-rate soccer player.  He understands the very tricky dance that newcomers must do to be both African and American at the same time.  Because he also went through the experience of discovering what is essential to hold onto from his culture of origins, while assuming the traits that lead to success in the United States, he can engage in vital conversations with our youth. 

The American school system is unlike anything that Africans experienced at home.  Ayi serves as a liaison between the schools and parents.  Too often, parents are unsure of what is expected of them by the schools.   Because youth often learn English more rapidly than do their parents, the power pyramid between parent and child is reversed.  Now, Ayi can step in so that parents can better understand how to work with the schools to ensure success for their children.  He is engaging with families as they consider post-secondary options for students on the verge of graduating from high school.

With Ayi on board, NAA can continue to develop its other programs.  We are hard at work building a community of outreach workers who can help all newcomers have the best possible chance for a successful resettlement.  Because there is not one unifying language, we are creating programs that support leaders from many different ethnic and linguistic traditions.  It is very exciting to see programs that promotes African leadership coming together, so that everyone can reach her or his full potential.

As we approach Giving Tuesday (November 29), we sincerely hope that you will consider donating to New American Africans.  Global Giving has matching funds available for donations made on the 29th, so your gift will allow us to do even more to ensure that all those resettled in Concord have the best possible chance to succeed in their new home.