BACI Kicks-Off Celebration of its 10 Years of Advocacy, Education, Service
INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 7, 2020— The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) this week during its 9th Annual Research Presentation Day formally announced the celebration of the Institute’s 10 years of Advocacy, Education and Service.
Dr. Ro Ding, Chairman of the BACI Board of Directors formally launched the celebration and extended the invitation to all partners to join. The following is an excerpt of the remarks of Dr. Ding:
“Greetings to you all. We are very pleased that we are able to sustain most of our programs and vital services for our community despite the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Through this difficult time, our Executive Director, Mr. Elaisa Vahnie, has been able to lead us on the way forward so that we can still deliver such critical services to our youths and community. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to once again express my gratitude for his dedication and leadership.
As we move forward, I would like to announce that today we begin the celebration of the 10 years anniversary of BACI — under the name of “Celebrating 10 Years of Advocacy, Education, and Service”. This celebration officially kick-starts today and will run through May or summer 2021. We will be organizing various events and implementing various additional projects through this period — such as Partner Appreciation Day, Fundraisers in various forms, publishing a Magazine, Photo Book, and more. Let me also give you an exciting update -a little secret here- that we will also be working on the possibility of having a new facility in the near future that will help us effectively meet the growing needs of the growing community.
On behalf of the entire BACI community, I would like to invite all our friends, neighbors and supporters to join us as we reflect and celebrate 10 years. Your support has been what makes it possible to do what we do, and thank you once again and we hope that you will continue to stand alongside us. We look to the future together with you for the betterment of our shared community. Thank you.”
Since its inception, BACI has assisted more than 10,000 individuals through its various programs and services, including: 1) the Civic and Cultural Education Program (CCEP) that empowers new Americans in their rights and liberties by providing linguistic and citizenship instruction, status adjustments, and naturalization services, 2) the Upward College Program (UCP) whichprepares area high school students for college readiness and future success by implementing comprehensive and rigorous programs, 3) the Employment and Microenterprise Development Program (EMEDP) which assists refugee community members with gainful employment through organized job fairs, one on-one employment assistance, and technical assistance to entrepreneurs, including refugee women, and also 4) the three summer programs, advocacy program, and other special projects. In addition, BACI has implemented cultural events and civic engagement that promote a greater understanding among the receiving and incoming communities as well as organizational capacity building project that support the strengthening of the organizational capacity and the integration of the community as a whole.
About Burmese American Community Institute
The Burmese American Community Institute (BACI) is a non-profit organization founded in 2011 that provides educational and vocational support to the Burmese community in greater Indianapolis. The BACI also supports community members regionally, nationally, and globally through new initiatives, collaborative and strategic partnerships, and advocacy.
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