About Us

Center for New Americans welcomes and serves immigrants, refugees, and asylum-seekers. .
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Our Mission
Center for New Americans (CNA) is a community-based, non-profit adult education center that provides the under-served immigrant, refugee and migrant communities of Massachusetts' Pioneer Valley with education and resources to learn English, become involved community members and obtain tools necessary to maintain economic independence and stability.
Our Statement
Center for New Americans welcomes immigrants of all races, religions, and national origins. We believe that our community is made strong by a diversity of skills, cultures, and traditions. Center for New Americans is an equal opportunity provider.
Our Staff

Center for New Americans serves immigrants with a dedicated staff of teachers, advisors, program coordinators, legal service providers, administrative staff, and childcare providers. We are grateful for the loyal community of volunteers who amplify our effort.

 

Contact staff here:

Citizenship & Immigration Program Staff

Alex Kaezem, Immigration Attorney

Stephanie Martinez, Immigration Paralegal

Vanessa Farromeque, Citizenship Assistant

ESOL Program Staff

Peg R. Johnson, Enrollment & Assessment Coordinator

Stephanie Pasternak, Volunteer Coordinator

Biani Salas, Community Connections Associate

Michele Sedor, Teacher Support Coordinator

ESOL Teachers in Amherst, Greenfield, Northampton, Turners Falls and online

Advisors

Andrea Schindler

Rosa Guerra  

Sarah Wing

Technology Support

Peg Thibbitts, Technology Coordinator

Mohanad Salman – Technology Associate

Administrative Team

Karen Towle

Jasmin Vieau

Executive Director

Laurie Millman

Finance & HR Manager

Sam Kaira  

Our Board of Directors

Center for New Americans is fortunate to be led by an engaged group of volunteer board members who meet monthly, attend program events, and care deeply about the work of welcoming and serving immigrants.

Our board of directors includes the following members:

J Vaughn, Chair

Roger Webb, Treasurer

Victoria Maillo de Aguilera

Antonio Pagán

Shardool Parmar

Aleksandra Peryeva

Our students and clients in their own words

Listen to our students, alumni, and clients in their words thanks to the  students who videotaped themselves,  our Volunteer, Sarah McKusick, who also videotaped students, and our Volunteer, Sarah Jarman, who edited and produced the video.