History
New Americans Center was inspired by the experience of its Executive Director, Serukiza Kennedy Mutware Rurangwa.
Mr.Kennedy came to the United States from Rwanda in 2011. He worked for several years as a caseworker for a Utah resettlement agency ( Catholic Community Services), helping refugees with the many needs and issues that arise after they arrive. He eventually became an employment specialist providing New Americans with pre-employment counseling and post-employment support and assistance.
Refugees and immigrants came to know Kennedy as a source of support. Refugees who were no longer receiving assistance from the resettlement agency, were bringing him their human service applications, their children’s school registrations, their utility bills asking for his help and counseling.
Kennedy saw the ongoing need of Texas for support in many areas. In addition to practical help, he saw that they needed help to overcome the pain of war and trauma. They needed to learn new ways to interact with fellow New Americans (refugees) and members of the host community.
Mr. Kennedy is personally dedicated to reconciliation and peace-building.
He realized that refugees are best served by people who speak their language and have shared the same experiences with, as well as an understanding of American culture.He established the New Americans Center in 2022 with the vision of settled refugees helping new refugees learn the ways of their new home, helping them to heal and re-engage as active and successful citizens of Texas and the United States.