Happy New Year 2023 Message from Executive Director Elaisa Vahnie

Dear Friends,

Warmest greetings! I am delighted to have this opportunity to reflect and share with you some of our undertakings and our major impacts in 2022. We are pleased that our advocacy, education, and service in the past year enjoyed significant growth and strengthening while our response to the emerging needs in the community has been enhanced. Our response to the complex global humanitarian crisis —particularly what stemmed from Myanmar (Burma), Afghanistan, and Ukraine —has been sustained. Notable progress has also been made in undertaking major initiatives to increase the organization’s operational capacity and development.

Highlighted in the following are some of the outcomes and major impacts in 2022.

In 2022 alone, we assisted 4042 (595 increase from last year’s number of 3447) individuals with Citizenship and English language training, naturalization applications, and other immigration requirements, as well as provided support in gaining employment and training, mentorship and scholarships, and college & university admissions. This made a total of over 20,000 individuals served since 2011. Similarly, we continued providing technical assistance to a number of start-up organizations including those that are faith-based, which is an important part of the overall successful integration into the community.

The Upward College Program (UCP) for high school students continued to maintain 100% admissions to postsecondary institutions for the students who completed this BACI program. Furthermore, we helped over 50% of current college students who were previously enrolled in the UCP to receive scholarships. This past year also saw the college going rate among the Burmese recent high school graduates increase to 93% from 43% in 2014.

In response to the emerging needs in the community, especially in light of COVID-19 impact, we have been able to enhance our basic needs assistance and mental health related service provisions while also joining the resettlement community in the US to welcome the Burmese, Afghan, Ukrainian humanitarian parolees -reflecting the Hoosiers hospitality and the American leadership.

In an effort to support peace and democracy in Myanmar, we hosted the unprecedented Spring Flowers International Conference on Myanmar in February which brought together local, national, and international actors from diverse backgrounds around the globe. Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Senator Todd Young, Mayor Joe Hogsett, Congressman Andre Carson, Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Kritenbrink, among others, delivered remarks in support of the people of Myanmar and their struggles for democracy.

Keynote speakers included Acting President of the National Unity Government of Myanmar (NUG), the Prime Minister of NUG, Chairman of the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and various ministers and inclusive actors from diverse backgrounds were among those who delivered over 40 keynotes and speeches at the conference. We are happy to observe the ideas generated and the impact the conference has caused in the past year, especially on the strategic coordination front.

In collaborative partnership with diverse partners, we have been able to continue providing comprehensive support including building a professional federal army under civilian oversight, developing a new constitution, strengthening functional and effective public institutions, and advocating and promoting strong international community partnerships as well. We are particularly pleased that the BURMA Act 2022 was included in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023. We look forward to collaboratively working with the U.S. Government, and our friends and partners to help effectuate real change in Burma.

With a vision of a well-educated society in a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Myanmar in, which all members have the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from civic and economic well-being locally to globally, we have also been able to strengthen our educational programs including academic training, policy action research, scholarship, leadership and professional development through the Center for Research, Policy, and Innovation, the National University of the Union of Myanmar (NUUM), and the Myanmar Scholars and Leaders Program (MSLP) with the support of our collaborative partners.

Guided by our 2021-2026 strategic plan, the Capital Campaign Feasibility study conducted by our consultant concluded that sufficient philosophical and financial support exists in the community to move forward with the Community Center vision in CREATING A HOME FOR ALL, a campus to serve the community in more impactful ways.

Moving forward, we will be strengthening, enhancing, and expanding our programs and services inclusively and in innovative ways while materializing the vision of the community center in phases through mutually beneficial collaborative partnerships.

Recognizing and appreciating the fact that we live in a rapidly globalizing world where everything and all aspects of our lives are becoming increasingly interconnected and interdependent of each other, we will be ready locally to be responsive to the global challenges.

We are humble, appreciative and grateful to the Hoosiers and Americans for welcoming us as friends and neighbors in the land of freedom and opportunity so that we can be investing in ourselves, engaging and contributing in a win-win for the greater good.

With renewed commitment, I hope you will continue to stand with us as we continue to put all the effort towards helping newcomers and members of our shared community in becoming economically self-sufficient, integrated, and productive citizens of our global society.

Happy New Year 2023!

Elaisa Vahnie
Executive Director
Burmese American Community Institute
January 1, 2023

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