News Summary
Refuge Bowling Green has secured a $700,000 grant from the Kentucky Office for Refugees to enhance workforce training programs for immigrants and refugees. The initiative aims to train at least 280 individuals in key sectors such as construction, healthcare, and technology, promoting self-sufficiency and integration into the local economy. Collaborations with local institutions are set to provide essential skills, while the organization plans to expand its capacity to assist more families in the community.
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Refuge Bowling Green has received a significant boost in its efforts to support immigrants and refugees in the area with a $700,000 grant designated to enhance workforce training programs. This funding, provided by the Kentucky Office for Refugees, will allow the organization to expand its initiatives aimed at equipping newcomers with essential skills for the job market.
The primary goal of the grant is to facilitate training for at least 280 individuals in fields that are integral to the local economy. The training will focus on various sectors, including construction, healthcare, hospitality, technology, and industrial work. Refuge Bowling Green aims to create meaningful, long-term career pathways for its clients, ensuring that they have the tools needed to achieve self-sufficiency and integrate successfully into their new community.
Founded in 2018, Refuge Bowling Green is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting immigrants and refugees in acclimating to life in South Central Kentucky. Its range of services includes English language classes, job placement assistance, and family support. These programs have proven to be essential in helping refugees and immigrants navigate the complexities of adapting to a new culture while also addressing the challenges of finding sustainable employment.
CEO Daniel Tarnagda has highlighted the importance of the grant in building stronger career pathways, stating that it will enable more individuals to secure jobs and evolve into self-sufficient community members. The success of the program can be illustrated through various success stories, one involving a man who spent decades in a refugee camp. After receiving assistance from Refuge Bowling Green, he learned English and found job placement, which ultimately allowed him to lead a team in an industrial facility.
To enhance the training experience, Refuge Bowling Green is partnering with local institutions such as SKYCTC and WKU’s Innovation Campus, along with Grace Gilbert Clinic, to offer specialized training and certification programs. These partnerships aim to provide participants with industry-relevant skills and experiences that will boost their employability.
In addition to training, the organization is actively encouraging local employers to collaborate with Refuge Bowling Green. By working together, companies can offer hands-on experiences and long-term employment opportunities for participants, further integrating them into the workforce and enhancing community ties.
As the demand for its services increases, Refuge Bowling Green plans to expand both its physical space and staffing capabilities, projecting an increase in team members to nearly 45 by the end of the year. This expansion is expected to enhance the organization’s capacity to assist more families and individuals seeking a brighter future in Bowling Green.
The funding and the ensuing growth represent a significant step forward for Refuge Bowling Green as it continues to provide vital support to the local refugee and immigrant community. Those interested in learning more about the organization or getting involved can visit RefugeBG.com for additional information.
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Additional Resources
- WBKO: Refuge Bowling Green awarded $700K grant
- WBKO: Free meals for kids provided by local summer program
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- BG Daily News: Local news updates
- WBKO: Former Hart County coroner dies
- Wikipedia: Refugees
- Google Search: Job training for refugees
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- Encyclopedia Britannica: Refugee
- Google News: Bowling Green Kentucky news
Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER
The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
