Roshni

“We provide information upon request or guide them to the IRS website where all the information is open to the public.”

“Sew and Sing pilot program for Refugee Women. This program is a safe place for refugee women to gather outside of their homes to meet other women, learn new and useful skills, practice conversational English and songs, attend wellness classes, and have monthly fun activities with their children. Twice a week, they have a chance to bond over the universal human desire to be heard and understood. They move together, laugh together, make mistakes, and learn together. It is a place where everyone gets to see the beautiful differences of our cultures and turn a safe space into a shared space. Over 12 weeks a sense of sisterhood is built and friendships are forged; bonds that will last far longer than we can imagine. Our participants deserve the confidence and the empowerment that can come from knowing they have a voice and choosing to use it, that comes from taking care of themselves as well as others. From this place of Self-Empowerment, comes Empathy to help others, both here and back home in their countries of origin. We hope to give them the space to see the light within themselves and the confidence to share it.”

“In 2023, the New American Stories program team had the joy of working with over 100 students from different schools. We worked with them to collaborate with their peers to make up their own stories to perform for their families and their communities using the mediums of dance, music, and theater. In just eight short weeks they were able to prepare their characters and a scene, choreograph a whole dance, and write the most beautiful thank-you letters to their families. At the end of that time, they had the chance to perform their work at our Holiday event, showcasing their talents and their boundless enthusiasm, and taking part in a beautiful show where their song, dance, and letters were a precious addition. While we were unable to perform their scene during our winter event due to a struggle with attendance, we could not be more proud or impressed by the work they did and the stories they made to share in such a short time. What never ceased to amaze us is the way they could speak of the challenges they encountered in school or home, on topics like bullying or loneliness, and turn it into silliness and discussions about how to make it better. They also spoke of kindness, friendship, and bravery, and would show it in the stories they made together. This program helps us reach children who may not have the resources to otherwise since things like dance and theater have become so devalued in the school system. Budgets are tight, and when things must be cut the arts are the first to go. It is so incredibly important for children to be able to access their own creativity and be allowed to use it to talk about the challenges they face, the things they value, and explore difficult topics in addition to celebrating more joyful ones. We are committed to making this space for as many children as possible despite communication barriers, red tape, and all the other hurdles the system places before us and before them.”

“I ARISE (I AM. Resilient, Informed, Steadfast, Empathetic): A 20-week Arts program to connect 10 women of diverse ethnicities. They will create a play that will be presented at NAAF 2024. Chance on Dance is our weekly dance program for all ages and abilities. Open Mic & Mingle is a monthly event that aspires to bring together community, Art, and Artists.”