Page 6 - CNA 2016 Annual Report

pROgRaM REpORT

“....this is the way the world should be…”
— Molly Chambers, Greenfield resident

“Life is when the window is open to our world…”
— Farhad, CNA student from Iran

Immigrant Voices:

A Celebration of Arts The Shea
Theater in Turners Falls

n April 9, 2016, Monte Belmonte, radio host and president of the Shea Theater Arts Council, welcomed a sold-out
audience eager to enjoy an evening of artistic expression by immigrants happy to share their traditions. Center for New
Americans presented a showcase of Moldovan folks songs, Costa Rican dance, Guinean and Senegalese drums, a Latino
OChildren’s dance troupe, and a fashion show of traditional dress from around the world. Marilyn Sylla, our Volunteer
director, guided the evening’s performers - Center for New Americans students and immigrant friends - who answered the call to
audition and perform in this first annual celebration. The evening ended with performers and audience members singing the Woody
Guthrie classic, “This Land is Your Land,” followed by an impromptu dance party.
Fulfilling the American Dream

“…I love Center for New Americans. You helped me with everything;
English, jobs, friendship, family, everything!”
— Cecilia, former student, now a Certified Nursing Assistant

n 2016 we celebrated the hard work of 52 new citizens at our eighth annual July 4th naturalization
ceremony outside on the grounds of the hampshire County Courthouse in Northampton.
Northampton Mayor david Narkewicz and U.S. Magistrate Judge Katherine Robertson offered a
Iwarm welcome to the new citizens, assuring them that the community is richer for their presence. A
large crowd of family members, friends, and community members bore witness, applauding as each new
American stepped forward to receive his or her certificate, and wiping tears as the new citizens swore
an oath of allegiance to the country they had chosen and worked so hard to join.

Center for New Americans board members, staff, volunteers, and alumni were present to help with such
logistics as setting up and taking down chairs, organizing refreshments and handing out water bottles, and to celebrate the culmination
of so many journeys. Imagine staff members’ joy at seeing two sisters naturalize on the same day – daughters of Greenfield students.

Program participants ranged from such long-time friends as Evelyn harris, whose passionate rendition of “America the Beautiful”
moved all who were present, to the Northampton chapter of the League of Women Voters, who enthusiastically registered the new
Americans to vote, to such newcomers as Greenfield’s Girl Scout Troop 12926, and our first female Honor Guard. As in past years,
Maurice Lindsay and friends from WTCC, 90.7 FM, provided music before and after the ceremony, and broadcast the ceremony live.

Many of the legal services Center for New Americans provided last year
did not result in nearly as public nor enthusiastic celebrations, but they
had life-altering outcomes. People who petitioned for family members to
emigrate to the U.S. were able to reunite families. Young people who relied
on Center for New Americans’ staff to help them to file applications for
dACA – deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals – were able to secure
employment or enroll in local colleges.

There are many other steps along the road to realizing one’s dream. At

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