The Natural Helpers Program, a collaboration with the Aurora Welcome Center, trains volunteers from the local community to prepare them to be successful in their helper's role. These volunteers have the desire to help their fellow immigrants integrate into the community. Two training sessions have occurred in 2016, with more than 30 participants representing over 15 countries.
The U.S. State Department selected the Community College of Aurora as one of over 60 colleges worldwide to be part of Thank You America, a global campaign to combat violet extremism. They focused on immigrant and refugee populations in Aurora. Students developed a social media campaign focused on the positive role of immigrants in our local community as a way to recognize and celebrate their contributions and challenge anti-immigrant narratives. The Office of International & Immigrant Affairs organized a special closing event to recognize leaders of the local immigrant and refugee communities for their outstanding efforts. Attendees included Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia, U.S. Attorney for Colorado John Walsh, the Colorado International Consular Corp and other local officials.
Aurora became the newest member at the Strong Cities International Network. The Strong Cities Network (SCN) is a global network of mayors, municipal-level policy makers and practitioners united in building social cohesion and community resilience to counter violent extremism in all its forms. Learn more at http://strongcitiesnetwork.org/about/.