United Way of Missoula County is proud to be the fiscal sponsor of the new MONA. To donate to Montana Organization of New Americans, visit missoulaunitedway.org/donate, add your desired donation amount, and select Montana Organization of New Americans under “My donation is for”.
To donate to Montana Organization of New Americans, click here, add your desired donation amount, and select Montana Organization of New Americans under “My donation is for”.
Mission
Our mission is to support New Americans in Montana by providing resources, education, and advocacy to help them integrate successfully into their new communities. We are dedicated to fostering cultural exchange, promoting economic self-sufficiency, and creating opportunities for leadership and civic engagement, while celebrating the rich diversity that refugees and immigrants bring to our state.
Vision
Our vision is to create a welcoming Montana where New Americans can thrive as empowered, integrated members of society, contributing their unique talents and perspectives to enrich our state. We strive to foster a community built on mutual respect, cultural understanding, and equal opportunity, ensuring that every individual has the resources and support to achieve their full potential.
Empowering refugees and immigrants through MONA
Refugees and immigrants often face significant challenges when adapting to a new environment. While the local community extends efforts to support us, these initiatives often fall short of meeting our specific needs. Through Montana Organization of New Americans (MONA), I aim to provide education and training tailored to address the unique barriers faced by refugees and immigrants. MONA is an educational initiative built and led by refugees and immigrants, for refugees and immigrants, because we understand our own challenges and needs better than anyone else. We face obstacles such as language barriers, cultural differences, and unfamiliar legal systems. Without knowledge of a new country’s customs, laws, and procedures, many of us experience setbacks that hinder our ability to succeed. Furthermore, access to resources critical for adaptation and thriving is often limited or inaccessible.
The challenges we face
Language Barriers: Many of us must learn a new language later in life while balancing jobs and family responsibilities. Teachers often don’t speak our native languages, making it difficult to grasp complex concepts. Limited Accessibility: Beneficial programs and classes are often held at times or locations that are not feasible for those of us working long hours. These programs are also frequently designed and taught by individuals who do not fully understand our cultural contexts or challenges. Overlooked Skills and Potential: While we left behind material wealth in our home countries, we bring intellectual knowledge, skills, and experiences that remain underutilized in our new communities.
MONA will create a space where refugees and immigrants can share their knowledge, skills, and experiences both within our community and with the broader society. Through extensive outreach, we will listen to what refugees and immigrants want to learn, how they prefer to learn, and ensure that our programs meet their needs effectively.
Project goals
Education and Empowerment: Provide practical education on integration, access to essential services, employment opportunities, and pathways to personal and professional success.
Promoting Social Cohesion: Foster mutual understanding and respect between different communities, breaking down stereotypes and building a more inclusive, tolerant society where equal opportunities exist for all.
Community Development: Create a positive impact on the broader community by cultivating a diverse and skilled workforce that contributes to economic growth and social progress.
Why this work matters
This community-driven project will transform the lives of refugees and immigrants by addressing their unique challenges, fostering social cohesion, and contributing to the development of the wider community. As a refugee, I am deeply passionate about this work. I understand the obstacles my community faces and have built trusted relationships as a leader within it. My educational background, teaching experience, and computer skills position me to guide this initiative successfully. A refugee-led program ensures that the solutions are relevant and impactful, demonstrating that refugees and immigrants can be leaders and contributors to our new home, just as we were in our homelands. Together, we can create a future where refugees and immigrants not only adapt but thrive—and in doing so, enrich the entire community.
Refugee Congress Associate Delegate Aseel Niazai (left) and MONA founder and Montana Delegate Paul Mwingwa (Right) in Washington DC, May 2023
