Impact & Outcome of Our Services
Dear Friends,
The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented challenges during the past year. Like many organizations, BACI stepped up to take swift action in response to Coronavirus, helping to ensure the organization and the community as a whole is in compliance with the federal, state, and local public health and safety guidelines and recommendations, expanding basic and critical services to help address the immediate and urgent needs of families in the community who have been impacted by the pandemic, taking new and innovative initiatives, and sustaining the existing programs and vital services to the community. The BACI had a privilege of actively participating in the success of the US 2020 Census and the Presidential election.
We are so grateful that the past year has been one of growth and strengthening—of our programs and service provisions. Allow us to share with you some of the highlights and their outcomes.
In 2020 alone, we assisted 2473 individuals with Citizenship and English language training, naturalization applications, and other immigration requirements, as well as provided support in gaining employment and training, scholarships, and college & university admissions. This made a total of over 13,000 individuals served since 2011. Similarly, we provided technical assistance to a number of start-up organizations which is an important part of the overall successful integration of the community. Also, 36 community members completed Mental Health First Aid Training, conducted by BACI and its partners and 327 families and individuals were served with direct services under our COVID-19 Response.
Despite disruption by COVID-19, the Upward College Program for high school students continued to maintain 100% admissions in postsecondary institutions for the students who complete the BACI program. Furthermore, we helped over 50% of current college students who were previously enrolled in the UCP receive scholarships. The past year also saw the college going rate among the Burmese recent high school graduates increased to 91% from 43% in 2014. The Center for Research, Policy and Innovation (CRPI), designed to promote collaborative research and action projects with local researchers, Burmese scholars, international colleagues, and stakeholders was launched. A series of virtual events as part of the Myanmar Initiatives that supports investing in people and education, development and reforms were hosted.
We are pleased with the progress we continue to make. Looking forward—we will be enhancing our existing programs and services, with new opportunities, innovations and continued expansions through unique initiatives and collaborative partnerships here in Indianapolis, while we hope to continue to help promote stronger ties between the U.S and Myanmar through multi-faceted approaches in 2021 —the year we hope to be a better year for all of us —and beyond in mutually beneficial ways.
Thank you for your partnership and continued support. With renewed commitment, we hope you will continue to stand with us as we put all our effort into helping the community members in becoming economically self-sufficient, integrated, and productive citizens of our global society.
A very Happy New Year 2021!
The Burmese American Community Institute