Nonprofit for Immigrants Moving into Brooklyn Center
A local nonprofit helping immigrants get settled into the community is now expanding its efforts to Brooklyn Center.
CAPI USA currently has offices in Minneapolis, and its work helps immigrants to adjust to their new surroundings by helping them find entry level jobs and by providing resources. In April, CAPI USA will open additional offices in Brooklyn Center.
Change can be scary, especially for immigrants and refugees coming to a whole new country.
“The people we work with come with language barriers, and we want them to feel this is like a home,” said Ekta Prakash, CAPI USA Executive Director.
The range of services offered is varied and the need is great.
“They have tax services, social services for seniors. they just have a whole host of programs that are already available to the community,” said Dawn Wambeke, CAPI USA Development Director.
Currently, CAPI serves 4,000 people in their program. The large numbers mean the organization now needs more space, and along with additional space comes a new location in Brooklyn Center.
“This became the perfect location, and we also did some research looking at who lives here and the immigrant population has tripled in the last 3-4 years,” said Prakash.
According to the latest U.S. Census figures, nearly one quarter of Brooklyn Center residents are foreign born. CAPI hopes this is a just the beginning of an advantageous life for new immigrants.
“The office we have that was designed 10 years back but now we feel like this is going to be a home for people, [where they will] feel welcomed. They are not just coming for services, but they feel this is their home,” said Prakash.
CCX News Staff reporting
