Supports linguistic, economic and civic integration of immigrants and refugees
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (Feb. 16, 2016) — The City of Bowling Green is launching its inaugural Academy for New Americans at 9 a.m. on Thursday at the Neighborhood and Community Services Department, 707 East Main Ave.
The academy, the first in the state, follows national efforts to support the linguistic, economic and civic integration of immigrants and refugees. The academy is a free leadership-training program sponsored by the City of Bowling Green that empowers new Americans to understand and participate in city government. It provides new Americans the tools necessary to successfully navigate city services, community information and resources in order to become key stakeholders in assisting their respective ethnic communities and neighborhoods.
According to the 2010 US Census, Bowling Green’s foreign-born population was 10.6 percent and Warren County’s 7.6 percent, the second highest in the state.
A total of 17 applicants were selected to participate in the program, representing eight different countries and speaking 12 different languages.
The academy is led by the International Communities Liaison Office (ICL) in the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. The Academy will consist of day-long sessions held once a month, ending with a graduation after the last session of the Academy in June.
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